Footballistics

How the Data Analytics Revolution is Uncovering Footy's Hidden Truths

'Footballistics is more than just good writing. The nature of football continually changes, which means its analysis must also keep pace. This book is for students, thinkers, and theorists of the game.'

Ted Hopkins – Carlton premiership player, author, and co-founder of Champion Data.

Australian Rules football has been described as the most data-rich sport on Earth. Every time and everywhere an AFL side takes to the field, it is shadowed by an army of statisticians and number crunchers. The information they gather has become the sport's new language and currency. ABC journalist James Coventry, author of the acclaimed Time and Space, has joined forces with a group of razor-sharp analysts to decipher the data, and to use it to question some of football's long-held truisms. Do umpires really favour the home side? Has goal kicking accuracy deteriorated? Is Geelong the true master of the draft? Are blonds unfairly favoured in Brownlow medal voting? And are Victorians the most passionate fans? Through a blend of entertaining storytelling and expert analysis, this book will answer more questions about footy than you ever thought to ask.

Praise for Time and Space:

'Brilliant, masterful' – The Guardian

'Arguably one of the most important books yet written on Australian Rules football.' – Inside History

'Should find its way into the hands of every coach.' – AFL Record