Will Setterfield | A Step Forward
Written by Ari Stamatakos
WHO IS WILL SETTERFIELD?
At the 2016 AFL National Draft, Will Setterfield was drafted at Pick 5 by the GWS Giants. At the time, Giants Media described him as “the prototype for the new-age midfielder given his 191cm height and athleticism and can play all over the ground”. In 2017, he made his debut during the Giants Round 18 clash against Richmond. Setterfield gathered 12 touches going at 75% efficiency, and leading the Giants in tackles with 6. An ACL injury in a 2018 preseason match against Sydney saw Setterfield sidelined for 12 months, missing the entirety of the season. During that year’s trade period, he requested a trade away from the Giants, with the Blues ultimately securing the midfielder they bid on in 2016. Setterfield made his way to Carlton in exchange for the Blue Pick 47 and a Future Second Round Pick.
FIRST YEAR BLUES
Setterfield entered the 2019 season as a bit of an unknown. With only 2 AFL games of experience, and coming off a debilitating ACL injury, many didn't know what to expect from the 21 year old.
He made his debut in Navy Blue in Round 1 against Richmond, gathering 24 disposals, leading Carlton in goal assists and providing 3 inside 50s. He plateaued for much of the season, until his next notable game against the Bulldogs in Round 13. He led the Blues with 24 disposals, whilst going at 75% efficiency as well as adding 5 score involvements and 4 inside 50s.
His aforementioned versatility was on show in the weeks following the Bulldogs game, particularly in the second half of the Round 16 match against Melbourne. He was moved forward and kicked 3 important goals to go with 5 score involvements.
Arguably, his highlight of the season was the Round 19 game against Adelaide, where he amassed 24 disposals, 553 metres gained, 7 inside 50s and the game-winning goal, which took the imaginary roof of the MCG.
He ended the 2019 AFL season with averaging 17 disposals, 4 score involvements, 3 tackles, 2 clearances and 3 inside 50s per game.
STELLAR SECOND SEASON
There has been much improvement in Setterfield’s game in 2020. According to Champion Data, he has improved by 123% vs. his 2019 rating, ranking him 3rd in the competition for overall growth, and 1st among midfielders.
He has also developed into a tackling machine. He averaged 3 tackles per game in 2019 and has bumped this up to 5 in a shortened season, ranking him elite in this category. He ranks 2nd at the club for tackles and 6th overall in the competition. This includes a career best 10 tackles against Port Adelaide.
His improvement can be highlighted across multiple games, including Round 5 against St Kilda. He racked up 13 touches going at 77% efficiency, along with 4 inside 50’s and 2 goals. This was backed up 2 weeks later against Port Adelaide, where he finished with 24 pressure acts, 4 clearances and the 10 tackles. Arguably, however, his best game this season was Round 13 against the Gold Coast Suns, amassing 23 touches, 5 tackles, 13 pressure acts, 5 clearances and 4 inside 50s.
The improvement with his game is even more impressive when taking into account that quarters have been shortened by 4 minutes in 2020. For comparison, Champion Data rates Bailey Williams as the most improved in the competition. Despite his rating growth of 163%, he is only averaging 2 more disposals, 1 less mark, 1 less tackle and 1 less clearance compared to last season.
At the time of writing, Setterfield is averaging 15 disposals, 3 clearances and 3 inside 50s. However, his most notable improvement is in his defensive efforts. He is averaging 5 tackles, 1 tackle inside 50 and 19 pressure acts per game, which are elite, above average and above average numbers respectively.
Source: afl.com.au
WHERE DOES HE RANK AMONG THE AFL’S BEST?
If you look at Will Setterfield’s best stats this season and compare them to the rest of the competition, the improvement that has been talked about is clear to see.
· 6th for tackles
· 15th for pressure acts
· 16th ranked midfielder for defensive half pressure acts
· 16th ranked midfielder for tackles inside 50
Setterfield is not a failed acquisition for the Blues. He is having a major impact, and improving each game.
JUST HOW GOOD CAN WILL SETTERFIELD BE?
The improvement that Will Setterfield has shown in the last 12 months is astronomical. From being a fringe player who was doubted by many, he has transformed into a consistent top-level performer with multiple layers to his game. If Setterfield can continue his meteoric rise to the elite level midfielder that he was touted to be from his TAC Cup days, then maybe he can become the midfielder that the Carlton faithful have been crying out for.
