GVL Data | Who will come up trumps in the guts between Will Hayes and Adam De Cicco?

This weekend, two of the Goulburn Valley League’s most prone to leather poisoning will compete for disposal dominance when Shepparton takes on Euroa.

There are no prizes for guessing who they are.

Euroa’s Will Hayes, the Magpies’ chief mover and shaker on ball, has run the gauntlet for the Magpies’ midfield throughout 2024 and holds a seriously impressive curriculum vitae as far as stats go this season.

He’s matched by brilliant Bear Adam De Cicco, with the silky ex-Cobram man making a serious claim for a Morrison Medal in his second GVL season.

But how do they compare to each other?

Let’s start with Hayes.

The former Western Bulldogs and Carlton gun averages 34.9 disposals at 69 per cent efficiency for Euroa, ranking elite in several categories including contested possessions (13.2), inside 50s (5.2), tackles (6.7), score involvements (7) and ranking points (145.3).

He’s also averaged 34 touches across three games for the Blues’ VFL outfit in 2024.

Now for De Cicco’s rap sheet.

Across 15 games this season, Shepparton’s midfield maestro has racked up on average 31.9 disposals (76 per cent efficient), 14.1 contested possessions, 6.7 clearances, 6.4 inside 50s and 8.8 score involvements for a per-game mean ranking point total of 153.4.

That is absurd.

De Cicco’s best day on the park this season arrived in round 12 against Mansfield.

His 191 ranking point total came from a 36-disposal, nine-tackle game which resulted in 11 goal involvements.

That may look hard to beat on paper, but Hayes far outdid De Cicco on the same day when he put in a freakish shift against Tatura.

The magnificent Magpie tallied 53 touches, eight inside 50s, nine clearances and 10 tackles for a whopping 225 ranking points, making it one of the finest individual performances by any GVL player in 2024.

But who will come out on top when the two on-ballers go toe to toe on Saturday?

Only time will tell.