Champion Data analyst exclusively reveals new measurement that clubs are loving

Champion Data has introduced its newest form of data, aimed at measuring the speed of ball movement of each team.

By developing a new form of calculation that adjudicates speed based off of a three-factor method, teams will now have the ability to determine ball movement speed at a squad level, with individual ball speed in the works.

Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne exclusively revealed the new measurement on SEN Breakfast.

“Ball movement is just getting bigger and bigger,” Hoyne told SEN’s Fireball.

“If you can’t move it come September, the chances of having success are pretty much slim to nothing.”

Using the new model, Champion Data went back and calculated the speed of ball movement for every game over the last six years, with the data suggesting that speed did not always mean success.

“Last year’s Grand Finalists, a really good example,” Hoyne continued.

“Brisbane, the fastest team in the competition last year. Sydney, the second slowest, but both of them are the highest scoring teams.

“So you look at the second slowest with Sydney, it’s not a negative, that is just how they want to play, it’s working for them.

“You go to the year before, Collingwood were actually the third slowest team in the competition, but it got them the flag.

“So there is no right or wrong, but it is all about the return that you are getting on the scoreboard from that method that you choose to implement.”

The numbers indicated that at this stage, the current 2025 season is the fastest the ball has moved since 2019, with one team standing out as a clear leader and another as a clear follower.

“The Geelong footy club, 2019, 2020 and 2021, they were the slowest, third slowest and third slowest ball movement teams in the competition.

“(Chris Scott) threw out that method after three failed campaigns in a row, 2022 their speed increases by 20 per cent, they win a flag.

“Last year, they were the second fastest team in the competition and from seven of the eight quarters that we have seen so far, it looks like they are taking their speed to another level.

“Their first quarter against St Kilda was their slowest opening quarter in six years. Their next three quarters, they were back to full throttle, they come from 40 points down and almost win it.

“We will go to Fremantle, we will put them firmly under the spotlight. This is where their speed under Justin Longmuir sits.

“Slowest, slowest, slowest, slowest, fourth slowest, and their two games so far this year, was the second slowest in any game this year against Geelong, and the fifth slowest against Sydney.

“Nothing has changed under them. What they have done against Geelong and Sydney has been the slowest of any team in any game so far this year, in back to back matches.”

The data also found that the likes of St Kilda, GWS, Brisbane and Hawthorn move the ball at an above average rate, while Melbourne have stepped up to the highest pace of ball movement since their Grand Final win in 2021.