GVL Data | Locals lead league in multiple areas

By Alexander Dabb

May 23, 2023

League leader: Kyabram’s Kaine Herbert is leading the league for total inside-50s after round six. Photo: Aydin Payne.

With a third of the Goulburn Valley League season completed, there are a number of local talents sitting in top spot across the league for various statistics.

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

Rochester’s Joe Atley leads the competition for contested possessions, racking up a total of 87 from his six games so far this season. Atley is also ranked first for centre clearances, winning the ball 18 times out of the middle, and fourth for total clearances with 46.

In a sign of just how strong his season has been, the Tigers’ midfield bull sits inside the top 10 for a number of other categories, including notching the second highest total of disposals in the competition. The midfielder ranks third for hard-ball gets, and has earned the fourth most free kicks across the league, while putting the ball inside 50 28 times, which is equal sixth-best.

It should also come as no surprise that Atley has accumulated 807 ranking points, which sees him sit third after round six for total ranking points.

Echuca’s Logan Prout also finds himself atop two categories, with the backman having won 47 intercept possessions, 10 more than any other player has managed for the season.

Proving that he is more than adept at winning the ball back for his team in any manner, Prout has also notched 17 intercept marks, sharing the top spot with Kyabram pair Jason Morgan and Brad Whitford, as well as Seymour’s Michael Hartley.

Kyabram’s Zac Norris has won the most gathers, tallying 48 for the season, while teammate Kaine Herbert’s 44 inside-50s has him leading that category.

Fellow Bomber Anthony Depasquale sits just outside the top 10 for goals kicked, but holds the unwanted top spot for most behinds kicked with 11, tied with Shepparton United’s Jayden Magro and Tatura’s Brodie Meyers.

Rochester’s Mitch Cricelli leads the competition with 17 handball receives, as well as contested marks, tied with Seymour’s Lachlan Waite and Mansfield’s Ben Christopher on 15. Cricelli’s teammate Hamish Hooppell has been desperate in defence for the Tigers this season, laying 19 tackles inside the defensive 50, the most in the GVL.