We are 20 rounds through the 2022 season and as always, the Free Kick Ladder provides plenty of fascination.
It’s been a big year for the Western Bulldogs who remain on top of the differential standings at +85 having conceded the fewest free kicks (324) while receiving the equal fourth most (409).
They are +28 clear of Carlton in second on +57 due to the second most frees (424) and the the least against (367).
Collingwood are third on +23, narrowly clear of the fourth-placed Adelaide Crows, who have received the most frees in the league (433) to sit on +21.
A group of three clubs - Brisbane, Geelong and Essendon - share a differential of +12, while GWS (+5) and Melbourne (+2) make up those in the positive.
Down the other end, Richmond remains rooted to the bottom of the ladder with a negative disparity of -69. The Tigers have received the third least frees for (367) while giving away the most (436).
They are -27 clear of second bottom St Kilda on -42 largely due to the Saints giving away the equal third most frees (420), which they share with North Melbourne who happens to be third bottom with a differential of -39.
Port Adelaide are next on -27 with the second fewest frees for (364).
Gold Coast (-13), Sydney (-13), Hawthorn (-12), West Coast (-11) and Fremantle (-3) are all in the red.
See the Free Kick Ladder after Round 20 below:
Also on the agenda are the individual counts.
Most free kicks for:
44 - Patrick Cripps (CAR)
40 - Dylan Moore (HAW)
35 - Darcy Cameron (COL)
34 - Josh Dunkley (WB)
34 - Rowan Marshall (STK)
34 - Harry McKay (CAR)
34 - Jarrod Witts (GCS)
33 - Matt Rowell (GCS)
32 - Max Gawn (MEL)
31 - Tim English (WB)
31 - Isaac Heeney (SYD)
31 - Lachie Neale (BRI)
31 - Joel Selwood (GEE)
Most free kicks against:
52 - Toby Nankervis (RIC)
42 - Sam Draper (ESS)
42 - Matt Rowell (GCS)
35 - Tim Kelly (WCE)
34 - Rowan Marshall (STK)
32 - Jy Simpkin (NM)
31 - Zac Bailey (BRI)
30 - Taylor Adams (COL)
30 - Patrick Cripps (CAR)
30 - Jai Newcombe (HAW)
30 - Chad Warner (SYD)
Note: Hawthorn’s Dylan Moore has a handy free kick differential of +31 with 40 frees for and nine against.
Richmond’s Toby Nankervis has a differential of -28, having given away 52 frees and received 24.
Perhaps the final Free Kick Ladder of 2022 will come after Round 23…