GVL Data | Sides that hurt you on the counter

By Aydin Payne

Aug 2, 2023

Scores from defensive turnovers: Kyabram is ranked first for scoring from its backline on direct turnovers with defender Jason Morgan ranked inside the top-10 for intercept possessions and has 22 score involvements in 2023. Photo by Megan Fisher

What is the easiest way to score points in this day and age of footy?

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

If you guessed turnovers, then you’re correct.

No surprises to see Goulburn Valley League reigning premier Echuca lead that department with a points from turnover differential of +41 and an average of 66.7 a match.

But we have already highlighted the best sides that hurt you on transition, this time around we have targeted the best sides that score from their defensive 50.

It is little shock to see the top sides occupy this domain, yet it isn’t the Murray Bombers who sit number one.

Kyabram is ranked first and has a differential of +114 for the year.

The Bombers have scored 28.28 (196) and coughed up 11.16 (82) going the other way.

Echuca sits fourth for most points scored from defensive 50 turnovers, with Euroa in second spot thanks to its 28.20 (188).

However, the fifth-placed Magpies have conceded more than Echuca with 18.15 (123).

Mansfield’s numbers caught the eye.

The Eagles are ranked third with 24.26 (170) scored from turnovers in their back half.

Scores from defensive 50 turnovers

1. Kyabram - 28.28 (196)

2. Euroa - 28.20 (188)

3. Mansfield - 24.26 (170)

4. Echuca - 24.19 (163)

5. Mooroopna - 20.26 (146)

6. Seymour - 19.23 (137)

7. Shepparton Swans - 15.15 (105)

8. Shepparton United - 14.15 (99)

9. Shepparton - 10.19 (79)

10. Tatura - 11.11 (77)

11. Rochester - 10.14 (74)

12. Benalla - 8.9 (57)

Yet the most impressive aspect of Mansfield’s figures is the lowly 11.9 (75) points that opponents have scored.

Chad Owens’ outfit is the second best side at retaining the ball and averages 57.3 turnovers a match.

The Murray Bombers’ figures after 15 rounds sit at 24.19 (163) and 7.14 (56) for opponents going the other way.

Mooroopna is the next cab off the rank with 20.26 (146) ― and 16.10 (106) scored by opponents ― and Seymour rounds out the top six with 19.23 (137) scored and 18.15 (123) against.

Interestingly, Seymour has the second most points scored from midfield turnovers with 91.58 (604).

Echuca is number one in that area with 98.60 (648).

The Lions have the second best points from turnovers differential (+26.4) and Kyabram is third with a differential of +24.

Out of the bottom six outfits, Shepparton Swans and Shepparton United are seventh and eighth respectively.

The Swans have tallied 15.15 (105) and given up 21.18 (144), while the Dees have posted 14.15 (99) and 20.35 (155) the other way.

Benalla is the worst in the competition to score on transition from its back half with 8.9 (57) ― while the Saints have coughed up the most points 28.29 (197).

Shepparton is ranked ninth, but has a differential of -92 — the second worst record in the competition.

Tatura has a differential of -50, while Rochester is close behind on -58.