GPS tracking of VAFA player game time: Jack Bull

Will Strange

Here at Sports Performance Tracking, we love sports science. Sports Science can give you fundamental and un-biased view on how hard a player is working.

You’re correct to think that it doesn’t necessarily mean you played well, but there is a clear correlation between hard work and success.

Over the course of the 2015 season, SPT will analyse individual players and give a small insight into what analytics are being taken in the AFL and what similarities or differences are happening at amateur clubs.

Since 2006, AFL players have been tracked and now this technology has filtered down to local levels. SPT gives an understanding what an individual is doing during training and match-day.

Round 1 saw Old Scotch take on reigning premiers University Blacks. The subject of the game was Old Scotch midfielder, Jack Bull. Fiver other players were also tracked onthe day but Jacks results demonstrate just why he is considered one of the elite midfielders in the VAFA.

Jack is a 178cm on-baller who swaps between midfield, wing and interchange when resting.

At AFL level this position is known as a nomadic. Nomadic’s are known to run anywhere between 12km up to 16km in a day with an average speed of 7.35km/hr. Jack was tracked by our GameTraka GPS system which has clocked him at a whopping 15.06km and an average speed of 6.21km/hr.

Understanding the science behind the human body and tracking over 6 teams in the VAFA and 100’s of players around the country would suggest that Jack’s output is substantially higher than the average amateur athlete. The Old Scotch vice captain and seven time VAFA rep had a top speed is what could be considered good without being jaw dropping.  Jack spent 25% of his time at a running (faster than 13.5km/h) speed of which 600m was above 21.6k/h ( or what we refer to as zone 6 running), which is elite as well.

Jack is an extremely talented athlete and even with the hard tag he received on the weekend, he was able to push through it and run his taggers off their feet and get to the next contest. This and the obvious skill he possesses, makes him the player he is.

Australian rules calls for many different body shapes and sizes to be a competitive team. From inside mid’s and crumbers to the big lanky or filled out ruckman. Every single player needs to know the balance of fitness versus fatigue and benchmark their output week by week. The ability to benchmark yourself and then work harder than last time will allow players to understand and improve.