They say that a week is a long time in football. What then 10 years?

While statistics only tell part of a story, the numbers do paint an interesting picture as how the game has evolved and how the Swans of 2005 compare to the team that will run out against the Tigers on Friday night at the SCG.

The average number of disposals per game is perhaps most telling from a team perspective. In 2005, the Swans ranked 15th (in a 16 team competition) for total disposals per game with 284. The 2015 team has increased that disposal count by around 40 percent, ranking second overall to this point in the competition with 393 per game. An increase in handball is the catalyst for the change, with John Longmire’s team ranked the leading handball team in the competition, averaging around 80 more per game than Paul Roos’ 2005 team.

Tackling was a fundamental of 2005 Swans. That team lead the competition with an average of 51 per game. But in a sign of how the game moves, that number that would see them ranked a distant 18th amongst clubs based on current figures for 2015. The 2015 Swans at 72 tackles per game average over 20 more than the 2005 team, yet despite a 40 percent jump in numbers, the current team ranks fourth overall in the AFL.

Contested possession has been another area of focus for clubs. At an average of 121 per game the 2005 team ranked sixth overall in the competition. But in today’s football, that figure would again see the ’05 group ranked a distant last. The Swans of today average 141 contested possessions per game – fourth highest in the competition.

In purely a scoring sense, things point to a heightened focus on defence across the competition. The average score for a team in 2005 was 95 points per game – with the Swans sitting at an average of 86. That figure has been cut by just over a goal to 87 in 2015, with the Swans slotting in just above the league average at 90 points for and 65 against (nine points better off than the 2005 mark of 74 points).

Rule changes have also affected the way the game is played, perhaps none more so in recent times than the substitute rule and interchange cap, introduced as measure to slow the pace of players.

Other rule changes, such as those relating to head high contact and contact below the knees, have had a greater player safety slant.

If nothing else, comparing two sides 10 years apart gives some insight as to where the game may evolve in the next 10 years. As the Swans celebrate a potential premiership reunion in 2025, it will be interesting to see if 100 tackles has become the new baseline, or if average possessions crash through the 500 mark. And will teams be scoring more or less? 

Only time will tell.