AFL pushing for broadcasters to show cutting-edge player metrics

THE AFL is poised to win the battle to bring revolutionary player tracking data to TV screens this season.
The league is pushing strongly to sign-off on a deal that would allow broadcasters to show cutting-edge player speed and distance measurements, as well as a bird’s eye view of teams’ game styles and playing patterns.
In a world-first, the new software also measures distances between players and their opponents, helping monitor exactly how closely defenders track their man.
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It also has the capacity to provide insights into players’ work-rates, by charting their running intensity when players are in possession, compared to when they are out of the play.
The Herald Sun understands the Western Bulldogs are the only club which has remained resistant to the AFL’s plan, arguing the sensitive information could unmask tactics and expose players’ weaknesses or injuries.
A more detailed version of the software will also be made available to clubs for about $40,000. Some clubs have agreed to purchase it, believing it is potentially one of the “greatest coaching tools” in the game’s history.

Kayne Turner and Mason Wood get fitted with GPS trackers at training. Picture: Hamish Blair
As part of the package, clubs will be able to see an overview of its players’ positions and the opposition’s exact team formation — but not the rival players’ identities — on their computer screens in real-time.
Melbourne-based sports technology company Catapult provides the GPS element for the package and already services all 18 AFL clubs.
Catapult chief operating officer Barry McNeill said the technology would help enhance enjoyment and understanding of the game for fans.
He said the company was working with coaches to ease concerns about the exposure of player data.


“By the end of this season you will be seeing this on screens, is my view,” McNeill told the Herald Sun.
“(Clubs) will learn to appreciate that there is some pretty obvious things they can share in the public domain that would enrich the AFL product for stakeholders and fans, without jeopardising their competitive advantage.
“The competitive advantage for the clubs is in how they use this data and AFL teams are probably resourced the best in the world in terms of manipulating data.”
But the broadcast plans remain the most sensitive aspect and the issue has emerged as a key sticking point in the AFL’s protracted pay negotiations with the Players’ Association.

GPS player tracking is ever growing in importance to AFL clubs.
The players union is keen to ensure the information is not used to highlight players’ deficiencies.
But a breakthrough is expected soon with broadcasters likely to agree to show only the top performers in key categories, such as speed or distance travelled.
After four years in the making, Champion Data is ready to deliver the software product to clubs and broadcasters, after partnering with Catapult, which has deals with elite sports clubs around the world, including EPL’s Leicester and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
Broadcasters believe the data can help enrich the viewing experience.
The new program has attracted interest from some of the world’s biggest sporting leagues, with one American code already in discussions about the Australian tracking software.