The AFL is becoming more even every year, a crucial stat in 2015 will be free kicks for & against ! Which club is the most umpire friendly?

It means nothing where the teams finish on the ladder, Richmond were the only one of the top 3 of frees for who just scrapped into the 8. A better stat would be frees for inside 50, which scoring shots would come from

According to the AFL site, last year's averages saw the top 3 Frees For as Richmond, Carlton and Melbourne, while top 3 against were Richmond, GWS and Brisbane (average because some teams played more games).

Unlike the teams, umpires get nothing out of a win or loss (no points or win bonus) except fairness in individual decisions, justification for which can be argued on a deliberate or accidental basis. With this in mind, the cumulative playing skills of each team determines the outcome of each game, so a lower level of playing skills may favour the accidental and vice versa.

My answer to your Q would be teams on the lower end of the ladder.

Geelong get more then there fair share of free kicks in crucial stages of matches.

It's not how many frees any team gets, it's where they get them that matters. Geelong get most of their free kicks in the forward line, whereas a team like Collingwood get most of theirs in defence.

No club is umpire friendly, but if you were to say there is one you'd pick collingwood to be able to say they pay the umpires. No other clubs would have the money to