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Guides / When a question returns an unexpected result
Using FootySphere

When a question returns an unexpected result

A short way to check a surprising answer, an empty table or a question the search has misunderstood.

By FootySphere · Published 22 September 2026 · Updated 22 September 2026

Start with this question

Show games where Patrick Cripps had exactly 12 clearances after 2022.
View this result →

What to look for

The CL column means clearances. This result applies exactly 12, so a match with 13 clearances would not qualify. The single row is the recorded result captured on the date below; use the full result link to check for later updates.

A saved excerpt of this result appears below, with its scope and a link to the full answer.

First, check what was understood

Read the returned question and scope. Confirm the full player name, team, statistic, years and calculation. A familiar surname, a nickname or a vague phrase such as “best game” can lead to a different interpretation from the one you intended.

Rewrite the question using full names and one clear measure. “Who had the most disposals in a single game in 2024?” is easier to check than “Who had the best game last year?”

Remove filters one at a time

Start again with the player, statistic and season. If that works, add the opponent, then the venue, then any statistical cutoff. The first change that removes the results gives you somewhere to look.

The player may not have appeared in that period, or there may be no match that satisfies all the conditions. Check the difference between “exactly”, “more than” and “at least”. Also check whether a finals-only filter leaves any games for that player.

Example result

Show games where Patrick Cripps had exactly 12 clearances after 2022.

Patrick Cripps recorded 12 clearances in Round 23 against Western Bulldogs at Docklands after 2022.

Excerpt from Show games where Patrick Cripps had exactly 12 clearances after 2022.
PlayerYearRoundCLTeamOpponentResultVenue
Patrick Cripps2026Round 2312CAR@ WBDDDocklands

1 row shown from the saved result. Captured 22 September 2026.

What games were included?
  • Recorded regular-season and finals games after 2022.
  • Scope: Patrick Cripps.
  • Population scope: after 2022.
  • Each row represents an individual game.
  • Applied conditions: exactly 12 Clearances.
  • Clearances: recorded since 1998.

The CL column means clearances. This result applies exactly 12, so a match with 13 clearances would not qualify. The single row is the recorded result captured on the date below; use the full result link to check for later updates.

Open the full result →

Check whether the data exists

Some statistics were introduced long after others. The glossary lists recording periods, and a result may include a coverage note. Asking for an older season does not make an unrecorded statistic available.

An empty result is not automatically zero. It can mean no matching games, unavailable data or a question the search could not handle. If there is an error or loading failure, retry the page before treating it as a statistical answer.

Try a smaller version of the same question

Suppose a search for a player’s finals averages against one opponent at one venue returns no rows. Remove the venue first. If it is still empty, remove the opponent. Then try the season without the finals condition. Keep the statistic unchanged so you can see which restriction made the difference.

If the broad season question works, the narrower selection may simply contain no appearances. If even the broad question fails, check the spelling, recording period and whether the player appeared that season. You now have a clearer problem to investigate than the original combination of filters.

Avoid changing the name, year, measure and filters all at once. A new result might look reasonable, but you would not know what fixed the issue. Keep a copy of the original wording if you plan to report it.

Make a surprising result easier to verify

Try a game log for the same player and period. Inspect the relevant matches and the highlighted statistic. If you were comparing totals, make sure the game log uses the same finals and match filters.

If the result still looks wrong, use the Contact page. Include the exact question, the result link if available, and what you expected instead. A specific player, match or table row helps explain the issue much more clearly than “the stats are wrong”.

Check the selected person and the wording

If a search offers more than one matching profile, choose the correct person and role. A shared surname, familiar nickname or a player who later coached can require that extra choice. Opening a profile from a suggestion is different from submitting a statistical question about that person.

When a longer question fails, use a published question from Examples as a starting point. First open its answer, then change one part of the wording. This gives you a working reference. It also helps separate a problem with a particular name or condition from a general misunderstanding of the calculation.

Separate a data issue from a page issue

An empty table, an error message and a page still loading are different situations. If the page has not finished, wait for the response or retry it. If there is a clear error, keep the reference shown on the page when reporting it. Neither situation establishes that a player had no qualifying games.

If the page loads but a value looks wrong, note the exact row and statistic. Compare the selected season, round type and opponent with the source you are checking. A season total including finals can legitimately differ from a regular-season total. Once the scope agrees, a remaining difference is much easier to explain in a report.

Try a related question

  • Games where Patrick Cripps had at least 12 clearances after 2022 ↗
  • Show Jeremy Cameron's last 8 games ↗

Check statistic definitions and recording periods in Data & Glossary. Found something wrong? Tell us what you found.

In this guide

Start with this question First, check what was understoodRemove filters one at a timeCheck whether the data existsTry a smaller version of the same questionMake a surprising result easier to verifyCheck the selected person and the wordingSeparate a data issue from a page issue Try a related question

Read next

How to read a FootySphere result →Understanding data coverage and limits →

Looking for a question to try?

Browse Examples →
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