Second slowest team in the AFL: Rough stats expose North

Following their 65-point loss to Sydney, Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne has revealed North Melbourne are the second slowest team in the AFL for ball movement.

The Kangaroos have had a bumpy start to the 2025 season, with losses to the Bulldogs, the Crows and the Swans, and a rousing 59-point win against Melbourne in Round 2.

And Hoyne thinks their inconsistent results might be down to their lack of speed when moving the ball.

“They are the second slowest team (for ball movement) in the competition this year,” Hoyne said on SEN’s Sportsday.

“AFL average for speed is 100, in their three losses this year, they’ve gone at a speed rating of 75, you’re going at snail’s pace (with 75).”

“In that one win against Melbourne, they went at over 110 in that game.

“So, what sort of mode do we get from North this week against Gold Coast? What sort of mode do we get from North moving forward?”

And Hoyne is wondering if the Kangaroos’ forwards might benefit from a faster approach through the middle of the ground.

“Paul Curtis is flying. Give him an opportunity. Nick Larkey is flying. Give him an opportunity… I just wonder whether or not they can challenge the opposition teams with higher speed than what's coming about.”

“Fast does not necessarily equal good and slow does not necessarily equal bad. But if the scoreboard returns aren't coming from whatever method you implement, time to have a bit of a look at it.”

Hoyne also shared some damning numbers regarding star Kangaroo Harry Sheezel.

“I’m seat 1A in the Sheezel basket, I was shocked he wasn’t in the All-Australian team last year, 11th best player in the competition… right now he’s the 300th highest rated player in the competition.”

But Hoyne was quick to point out that it’s the 20-year-old’s ball use, not his ability to win the ball, that’s letting the team down.

“It's not what he's doing from a ball winning perspective… The impact that he's having in that aspect of the game, dead set the same as what it was last year. Nothing's changed there.”

“How he's using the footy has gone from top 50 in the competition to 331st.”

The Kangaroos will face Gold Coast at Barossa Park on Saturday afternoon.

You can listen to Hoyne's full explanation below.