Sydney's second-half dominance is proving to be a major difference in the clubhouse favourites' push for the 2024 AFL premiership title.
The Swans rank first in the league for total quarters won with 40 from a possible 56 for the season so far, ranking first overall for third and fourth terms claimed and second best for second terms.
Brisbane have emerged as the first-quarter specialists but falter in the second half, while Gold Coast are unmatched when it comes to lead-up to half-time.
North Melbourne have won just 12 quarters in 2024, with Richmond and West Coast the next lowest-ranking sides as of the cessation of Round 15.
Here's how each club ranks for total quarters won, as well as quarter-by-quarter breakdowns compared to the rest of the competition.
Adelaide
Quarters Won: 27 (11th overall)
Q1 Won: 6 (10th overall)
Q2 Won: 7 (8th overall)
Q3 Won: 5 (15th overall)
Q4 Won: 9 (2nd overall)
The Crows' nine fourth-term victories are level with St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, and are only beaten by ladder leaders Sydney. But prior to the last quarter, the Crows struggle to get the upper hand over their opponent, often leaving any charge for victory too late.
Ranked equal 15th for third quarters won, only North Melbourne (two) have won fewer premiership quarters so far this season.
Brisbane
Quarters Won: 31 (3rd)
Q1 Won: 11 (1st)
Q2 Won: 8 (4th)
Q3 Won: 6 (12th)
Q4 Won: 6 (12th)
Brisbane's second halves have been a genuine concern for the Queensland club, with 12 (38.7%) of their 31 quarters won this year coming in the second half.
They do manage to start games better than any other side, claiming 11 of their 15 first quarters this year already, while only Gold Coast, Sydney and Hawthorn have won more second terms.
Carltonย
Quarters Won: 31 (3rd)
Q1 Won: 9 (3rd)
Q2 Won: 7 (8th)
Q3 Won: 7 (6th)
Q4 Won: 8 (5th)
The Blues are one of just three clubs to rank in the top eight across all four quarters, with the two clubs (Sydney and Collingwood) who have more total quarters won for the season in their company.
Their nine first terms won in 2024 see them sit behind only Brisbane and GWS after Round 15, while Carlton is the only club to rank in the top five for both the first and last quarters.
Collingwood
Quarters Won: 32 (2nd)
Q1 Won: 8 (6th)
Q2 Won: 8 (4th)
Q3 Won: 9 (3rd)
Q4 Won: 7 (7th)
Sitting behind only Sydney for total quarters won in 2024, the Magpies sit in the top third for terms one, two and three, with their fourth quarters their only concern, albeit still ranking in the top half of the competition.
The premiership quarter is proving to be the most fruitful for the reigning champions, however they often allowed rivals back into the contest in the final term to almost undo all their work.
Essendon
Quarters Won: 27 (11th)
Q1 Won: 7 (7th)
Q2 Won: 6 (10th)
Q3 Won: 7 (6th)
Q4 Won: 7 (7th)
Perhaps some concern for Essendon given they sit outside the top half of the completion for quarters won, but given their strong season record the Bombers do perform strongly in the terms they do end with an advantage.
Consistent across all four quadrants, at times this year Essendon have utilised one or two large-scoring single quarters to find the difference over their opponent.
Fremantle
Quarters Won: 29 (9th)
Q1 Won: 6 (10th)
Q2 Won: 8 (4th)
Q3 Won: 7 (6th)
Q4 Won: 8 (5th)
Just two other clubs (Sydney and Carlton) join Fremantle as top three sides for both the third and fourth quarters, with the Dockers's slow starts to contests often costing them in eventual defeats.
Only St Kilda, Gold Coast and North Melbourne have won fewer opening terms this year. The Dockers manage to get to work after the first break but wouldn't like to be so reactionary each week.
Geelong
Quarters Won: 31 (3rd)
Q1 Won: 9 (3rd)
Q2 Won: 5 (15th)
Q3 Won: 10 (2nd)
Q4 Won: 7 (7th)
The Cats' second quarters are a massive concern for coach Chris Scott, who have just one more second term won than the last ranked West Coast and Richmond.
Their solid efforts in opening quarters are often undone, but Geelong do manage to respond after half-time, sitting behind only Sydney for third quarters claimed in 2024.
Gold Coast
Quarters Won: 30 (6th)
Q1 Won: 4 (17th)
Q2 Won: 11 (1st)
Q3 Won: 8 (4th)
Q4 Won: 7 (7th)
Truly staggering numbers for the Suns' first halves, winning just the four quarters in the first term before bouncing back in the second to claim a league-high 11 second quarters.
They rank positively in the third and fourth quarters to sit equal sixth overall for total quarters won, but their first terms are letting them down most weeks.
GWS
Quarters Won: 30 (6th)
Q1 Won: 10 (2nd)
Q2 Won: 7 (8th)
Q3 Won: 7 (6th)
Q4 Won: 6 (12th)
The Giants are one of two teams to have double-digit first quarter wins from their 14 matches this season, with Brisbane's 11 edging them out for the No.1 ranking.
The New South Wales side remains competitive through the middle two terms but fell away in the last, with only four clubs ranking worse in the fourth quarter.
Nevertheless, they sit in the top third of the competition for total quarters won so far this year and are two quarters off second.
Hawthorn
Quarters Won: 27 (11th)
Q1 Won: 6 (10th)
Q2 Won: 9 (3rd)
Q3 Won: 7 (6th)
Q4 Won: 5 (15th)
The bookends are sure to be a focus for the Hawks in their home stretch and potential September tilt, winning just 11 of their 27 quarters claimed for the year in the first and last terms.
They sit third behind Gold Coast and Sydney for second quarters won from the opening 15 rounds, while their 50% win rate in third terms has them sitting in the top third of the competition.
Melbourneย
Quarters Won: 27 (11th)
Q1 Won: 6 (10th)
Q2 Won: 6 (11th)
Q3 Won: 8 (4th)
Q4 Won: 7 (7th)
Melbourne's inability to start games has continued to cost them, with just 12 of their 27 quarters won coming in the opening half.
Their premiership quarter fight-back ranks strongly, but is the only term where the Demons sit among the top third of the league.
North Melbourne
Quarters Won: 12 (18th)
Q1 Won: 2 (18th)
Q2 Won: 5 (15th)
Q3 Won: 2 (18th)
Q4 Won: 3 (17th)
It's hard reading for the Roos, who have won five fewer total quarters than the next worse side for the entire season.
Five of those wins have come in the second quarter alone, with Richmond and West Coast the only sides to do worse.
Their two wins in the third quarter are less than half the next worst (Richmond with 5), while their opening terms are just as bad.
Port Adelaide
Quarters Won: 28 (10th)
Q1 Won: 9 (3rd)
Q2 Won: 6 (11th)
Q3 Won: 7 (6th)
Q4 Won: 6 (12th)
Ken Hinkley's men have struggled to see out halves this season, with 12 of their 28 quarters won coming in terms two and four.
They rank behind only GWS and Brisbane for first terms won however, while their seven third term victories give them some fight between two often poorer quarters.
Richmond
Quarters Won: 17 (17th)
Q1 Won: 6 (10th)
Q2 Won: 4 (17th)
Q3 Won: 5 (15th)
Q4 Won: 2 (18th)
Given the level of youth the Tigers have been forced to inject into their side this season due to an ongoing injury crisis, it's no surprise Richmond's fourth-quarter numbers are so low.
Their fitness will only improve as their emerging ranks continue to develop, with coach Adem Yze taking a hit in his first year at the helm due to the long list of players in, or recently exiting, the club's casualty ward.
Richmond have proven to be strong starters for a club with just two wins to their name, while quarters two and three are still behind the eight ball.
St Kilda
Quarters Won: 26 (15th)
Q1 Won: 5 (16th)
Q2 Won: 6 (11th)
Q3 Won: 6 (12th)
Q4 Won: 9 (2nd)
The Saints are seen to struggle to start matches on the front foot, and they don't really find the needed gear until after the final break of the game.
Their slow starts have proven costly so far in 2024, with promising fourth-quarter performances often not enough to bring them back in front.
Their nine fourth-term victories make up over a third of their total quarters won this year, with better starts to games a potential catalyst going forward.
Sydney
Quarters Won: 40 (1st)
Q1 Won: 7 (7th)
Q2 Won: 10 (2nd)
Q3 Won: 12 (1st)
Q4 Won: 11 (1st)
Just exceptional figures that further prove why the Swans sit head and shoulders above the rest of the competition at this stage of the season.
Their tally of 23 second-half quarters won sits six more than the next best in Geelong with 17, while they're one of two clubs to have double-digit second-term victories.
If they can win back a bigger percentage of their opening quarters in the run home, there will be no stopping the Bloods in 2024.
West Coast
Quarters Won: 19 (16th)
Q1 Won: 6 (10th)
Q2 Won: 4 (17th)
Q3 Won: 5 (15th)
Q4 Won: 4 (16th)
Some dour figures for the Eagles, who can't break into the top half of the completion in any quadrant of the game. They come close in the opening term, but have just three sits with worst totals in the same period.
They rank equal-last for second quarters and sit among the bottom three sides for the two succeeding terms.
Western Bulldogs
Quarters Won: 30 (6th)
Q1 Won: 7 (7th)
Q2 Won: 8 (4th)
Q3 Won: 6 (12th)
Q4 Won: 9 (2nd)
The Bulldogs manage to run out each half strongly, with 17 of their 30 quarters won for the year coming in terms two and four, where they rank fourth and second in the competition, respectively. They're one of four clubs to have won nine or more fourth quarters this year, proving to have the energy to see out matches on a regular basis.
But it could be the premiership quarter that is hurting the most, with the Dogs winning just six of their 14 second terms so far this season.
