Brisbane mid-forward Zac Bailey is the most impactful player in the AFL, in terms of how often his disposals end in scores, according to Champion Data.
Bailey has played a larger role for the Lions' on-ball department in recent weeks and it has resulted in an uptick in disposals across the last month.
Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne revealed that 39 per cent of the 23-year-old’s touches end in a Brisbane score.
“We talk a lot about the impact in matches. Not disposals, but the impact you’re actually having from those disposals,” Hoyne told SEN’s Sportsday.
“One of the absolute go-to measures is turning a chain that you’re involved in into a score.
“So we take away the forwards because they’re always high up in terms of being able to turn their possession into a score.
“We look at all the other players in the competition outside of those permanent forwards and Zac Bailey is the most impactful player in the game in terms of turning his possessions into scores.
“So 39 per cent of the time he is involved in a chain Brisbane are scoring. He’s number one in the competition.
“We saw the impact he had against the Swans playing an inside mid role – 11 score involvements that day. I think that magnet moving forward for Brisbane is going to be key. He is their point of difference and balances out the midfield.”
Bailey ranks 4th in the competition for goal assists this season, behind Tom Hawkins, Christian Petracca and Gryan Miers.
Bailey and the Lions host Richmond at the Gabba on Thursday night.