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Important SN update for SouthlandThe 2025 AFL Free Kick Ladder - Round 16
Andrew Slevison • July 1st, 2025 12:12 pm
The bye rounds are done and dusted so what better time to get a Free Kick Ladder update.
Last week we gave you an insight into the Goals from Free Kicks, but we're returning to our roots this week.
More than 5,100 frees have been paid in 2025 with 10 of the 18 clubs currently on a positive differential and the remaining eight in the red.
The numbers make for interesting reading once again.
Best differentials
1 - Hawthorn (+56)2 - Carlton (+47)3 - Brisbane (+33)4 - Gold Coast (+29)5 - Melbourne (+26)
Worst differentials
1 - Port Adelaide (-69)2 - North Melbourne (-51)3 - GWS Giants (-39)4 - West Coast (-37)5 - Fremantle (-18)
Most frees for
1 - Carlton (338)2 - Hawthorn (323)3 - Adelaide (316)4 - Melbourne (305)5 - Brisbane (299)
Least frees for
1 - GWS Giants (252)2 - Port Adelaide (256)3 - Richmond (266)4 - Essendon (269)5 - West Coast (271)
Most frees against
1 - North Melbourne (331)2 - Port Adelaide (325)3 - Adelaide (315)4 - Fremantle (310)5 - West Coast (308)
Least frees against
1 - Essendon (255)2 - Gold Coast (264)Eq.3 - Western Bulldogs & Brisbane (266)5 - Hawthorn (267)
The 2025 Free Kick Ladder - Round 16
Last time we took a look at these numbers was after Round 10 when Hawthorn led the way with a differential of +63.
The Hawks (+56) remain on top but the gap has been somewhat bridged by Carlton (+47) who sit second thanks to the most frees for (338).
Brisbane (+33) occupies third position after sitting fifth six weeks ago, slightly ahead of Queensland compatriots Gold Coast (+29), with Melbourne (+26) making up the top five.
At the foot of the table, Port Adelaide (-69) are on the nose with the match officials, attracting the second fewest frees (256) and giving away the second most (325).
North Melbourne (-51) has also copped the raw end of the deal, infringing most frequently with 331 frees against.
GWS (-39) sits third bottom, while the noise of affirmation in 2025 for WA duo West Coast (-37) and Fremantle (-18) is not quite there.
See the FK Ladder after Round 16 below:
NOTE: Gold Coast and Essendon have played 14 games, the rest of the clubs have played 15.
Just to mix it up a little, we’ve thrown in a quick glimpse at the individual free kick numbers on the back of Tom Lynch’s (and Sam Powell-Pepper’s) five frees against in Round 16.
Most frees for (player)43 - Darcy Cameron (COL)36 - Max Gawn (MEL)35 - Jarrod Witts (GCS)35 - Tristan Xerri (NM)33 - Jai Newcombe (HAW)32 - Tim English (WB)31 - Patrick Cripps (CAR)30 - Reilly O’Brien (ADE)30 - Caleb Serong (FRE)29 - Andrew Brayshaw (FRE)29 - Nick Daicos (COL)
Most frees against (player)43 - Harley Reid (WCE)40 - Rowan Marshall (STK)37 - Matt Rowell (GCS)33 - Brodie Grundy (SYD)30 - Toby Nankervis (RIC)29 - Patrick Cripps (CAR)29 - Tristan Xerri (NM)27 - Luke Davies-Uniacke (NM)27 - Max Gawn (MEL)26 - Jordon Sweet (PA)
