GVL Data | Swans punish United on turnover thanks to clean footwork

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Clean by foot: Shepparton Swans coach Andrew Riordan went at 93 per cent by foot on Saturday.

As the saying goes: ‘bad kicking is bad football’.

Shepparton Swans coach Andrew Riordan called for his squad to clean up its disposal by foot before the weekend’s clash against Shepparton United and they delivered.

In last week’s match preview, Riordan highlighted the need for his side to improve its kicking efficiency which sat at 56 per cent from 10 rounds.

The Swans were ranked second last in the competition before the contest.

GVL Data has showcased that on Saturday afternoon at Deakin Reserve, the Swans swiftly used the pill by foot as they chalked up an impressive 44-point win.

Riordan’s charges lifted to the occasion and their kicking efficiency was at 66 per cent — more than 10 per cent higher than their season average.

It might not sound like a huge difference on face value, but the competition leaders average 66 per cent kicking efficiency.

And it was the playing coach who led from the front.

The talented defender went at 93 per cent by foot from 14 kicks, on a day where he chalked up 19 disposals.

It was a best-afield performance from Riordan, who also racked up nine marks — five of those intercepts — and four tackles.

At a glance

Andrew Riordan in round 11

Disposals: 19

Kick efficiency: 93%

Marks: 9

Tackles: 4

Spoils: 4

The improvement in kicking efficiency wasn’t the only eye-catching statistic from the weekend’s contest.

The Swans, helped by their game-high 44 tackles, forced United into turnovers and made them pay for their errors.

This resulted in the Swans totalling up 54 points from turnovers, as opposed to United’s six.

It was a stark turnaround from the round one contest, where United scored 48 points from turnovers as opposed to the Swans’ 20.

The Swans’ precise disposals by foot on Saturday helped slice open United on transition.

It was the Swans’ second highest score from turnovers this season, with the young outfit notching up 60 points in round eight in the win over Tatura.

Key stats: Shepparton United v Shepparton Swans, round 11

Disposals

Shepparton United: 310

Shepparton Swans: 319

Contested possessions

Shepparton United: 110

Shepparton Swans: 96

Kick efficiency

Shepparton United: 60%

Shepparton Swans: 66%

Inside 50

Shepparton United: 34

Shepparton Swans: 53

Tackles

Shepparton United: 32

Shepparton Swans: 44

Clearances

Shepparton United: 31

Shepparton Swans: 16