No keeper has made more saves than Jack Duncan but a gloveman just down the freeway has an even better save percentage, while a veteran shot-stopper is the “most effective” this season. Opta Data reveals all.
While it’s goals and goal-scorers who often garner most attention, we’ve seen some impressive performances from the keepers union so far this season.
And no gloveman has been busier than Newcastle Jets custodian Jack Duncan.
Mark Jones put faith in the 23-year-old to be his no.1 this season and he hasn’t let him down.
Duncan’s 39 saves is the most from the opening 11 rounds, including a couple of contenders for save of the season.
The Jets gloveman has also made 13 stops from outside the box – only Roar’s Michael Theo has more – while his save percentage is very good at 70.91%.
But when it comes to the most effective keeper so far you can’t go past Sydney FC’s Danny Vukovic.
While the Sky Blues’ miserly defence – they’ve conceded just five times in 11 games – has played a part in that, ‘Vuka’ has been superb.
His save percentage is 81.48% is easily the highest in the competition of any of the regular no.1’s.
Perth Glory might have the worst defensive record in the Hyundai A-League but it would be much worse if it wasn’t for their keeper Liam Reddy.
The 35-year-old has made the second most saves of any gloveman with 35, but Glory’s defensive frailties means he has a save percentage of just 60.34%.
That’s the worst of any other keeper from the teams in the top six.
Central Coast’s Paul Izzo has proved to be the expert of saves from distance.
While he’s third (34) when it comes to total saves, it’s his ability at dealing with efforts from long-range which has been most impressive, stopping 92.31% of shots on target from outside the 18-yard box.
And when it comes to penalty saves, Melbourne City’s Dean Bouzanis is your man.
Bouzanis has faced two penalty attempts this season, saving one for a 50% success rate.
Wellington gloveman Glen Moss has saved to from the spot, but that has come from six penalties against the Phoenix (33.33%).
