A statistical framework for inferring the development of Australian Football players using in game metrics
The commencement of an Australian Government Department of Education National Industry PhD project with La Trobe University and Essendon Football Club. This collaborative effort brings together academic expertise and industry insights to drive innovation and deliver real-world impact.
Project Overview:
The project titled “A statistical framework for assessing Australian Football Player development”, focuses on creating new data driven measures of player performance and development in Australian Football. It seeks to develop a standardised evaluation and measurement tool that football clubs can use to assess players current performance and potential trajectory.
Collaborative Approach:
In this collaboration Dr Matthew Varley and Dr David Carey from the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University provide expertise in statistical and data modelling and sport science to tackle this research topic. Essendon Football Club contributes their extensive knowledge of player development, recruitment and coaching providing access to Australian Football experts.
Value for Industry:
From Essendon Football Club’s perspective, this project holds exciting potential to enhance the club’s ability to objectively assess a player’s development. This will improve the club’s ability to make optimal decisions concerning playing lists and development programs across multiple programs.
Value for Academia:
For La Trobe University, this collaboration enables high-quality research, advancing our understanding of player development while demonstrating the impact of data science approaches in high performance sport.
Student Perspective:
Dave Matteo is excited to be undertaking this research stating: “I feel extremely privileged and thankful for this opportunity to further expand and refine my statistical knowledge while learning from experts at La Trobe University. I also am provided a rare chance to learn about how an elite professional sports team and professional coaches operate.”
Project Impact:
This project will provide a statistical tool for measuring performance and development in Australian Football that will allow for professional clubs to make improved decisions about their playing list. This ability to make more improved playing list decisions will lead to further on-field success.
Thank you to Claire McLoon for your facilitation and support.