Free kicks are a weekly talking point.
The big ones missed, the dodgy ones paid, and the ones that can help decide a game.
There is the ‘noise of affirmation’ which can occur in front of a partisan interstate crowd and the ones you simply shake your head at.
We often like to take a look at what is happening in the free kick world to see who sits on top of the standings and who is on the wrong side of the ledger.
After four rounds of footy in 2021, the Adelaide Crows have been the umpires’ friends, winning 102 free kicks and giving away 77 to hold a +25 differential.
The Western Bulldogs also sit pretty with a noticeable disparity ahead of GWS, Sydney and West Coast.
At the other end of the scale, reigning premiers Richmond and last year’s runner-up Geelong have given away the most frees while receiving the least to sit on -27 together.
It has been a bad few years in front of the umpires for the Tigers who have been at the top of the frees against table in three of the last four years.
St Kilda, Brisbane, Hawthorn, Fremantle, Collingwood and Port Adelaide are also in the minus.
Check out the frees for, against and differential ladder below.
| Position | Club | Frees For | Frees Against | Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adelaide | 102 | 77 | 25 |
| 2 | W.Bulldogs | 88 | 67 | 21 |
| 3 | GWS | 98 | 80 | 18 |
| 4 | Sydney | 98 | 81 | 17 |
| 5 | West Coast | 83 | 66 | 17 |
| 6 | Carlton | 91 | 81 | 10 |
| 7 | North Melbourne | 94 | 89 | 5 |
| 8 | Gold Coast | 79 | 75 | 4 |
| 9 | Melbourne | 78 | 75 | 3 |
| 10 | Essendon | 83 | 82 | 1 |
| 11 | Port Adelaide | 84 | 86 | -2 |
| 12 | Collingwood | 84 | 88 | -4 |
| 13 | Fremantle | 78 | 86 | -8 |
| 14 | Hawthorn | 74 | 86 | -12 |
| 15 | Brisbane | 78 | 98 | -20 |
| 16 | St Kilda | 68 | 89 | -21 |
| 17 | Geelong | 74 | 101 | -27 |
| 18 | Richmond | 67 | 94 | -27 |
There is always some interest in which players attract the most free kicks.
Often seen as an individual on the wrong side of the law, Giants stars Toby Greene is now an abiding citizen. He has been awarded 16 frees so far this season (and given away five), ahead of Carlton’s Patrick Cripps and Geelong’s Joel Selwood (both 13).
Essendon’s Peter Wright and Adelaide’s Taylor Walker are the only other players in double figures.
| Player | Club | Frees For |
|---|---|---|
| Toby Greene | GWS | 16 |
| Patrick Cripps | CAR | 13 |
| Joel Selwood | GEE | 13 |
| Peter Wright | ESS | 10 |
| Taylor Walker | ADE | 10 |
| Kayne Turner | NM | 9 |
| Reilly O'Brien | ADE | 9 |
| Jack Macrae | WB | 9 |
| Todd Goldstein | NM | 9 |
| Rory Sloane | ADE | 9 |
| Oscar Allen | WCE | 9 |
And for those players who give the most frees away, Lions skipper Dayne Zorko sits clearly on top with 16 ahead of teammate Zac Bailey (12). Zorko has received just two free kicks.
There’s a hefty list in double figures including Geelong pair Tom Atkins (yet to receive a free kick) and Selwood as well as Collingwood duo Brodie Grundy and Jack Crisp.
| Player | Club | Frees Against |
|---|---|---|
| Dayne Zorko | BRI | 16 |
| Zac Bailey | BRI | 12 |
| Tom Atkins | GEE | 11 |
| Jacob Hopper | GWS | 11 |
| Brodie Grundy | COL | 11 |
| Jack Crisp | COL | 11 |
| Luke Davies-Uniacke | NM | 11 |
| Tom Hickey | SYD | 10 |
| Joel Selwood | GEE | 10 |
| Darcy Moore | COL | 9 |
| Jack Steele | STK | 9 |
| Joe Daniher | BRI | 9 |
| Stefan Martin | WB | 9 |
| Ned McHenry | ADE | 9 |