This is the little-known performance measure that could brighten the smile of Collingwood fans as the Magpies chase a second flag in three seasons.

Gain Line Analytics (GLA), a sports and corporate consultancy company that has worked with AFL, rugby union and rugby league clubs, has developed a data-driven model that demonstrates team performance is strongly linked to cohesion.

Lachie Schultz and Jamie Elliott hope Collingwood have two more wins in them this year. Credit: AFL Photos

GLA’s general manager of sport, Simon Strachan, who co-founded the business with ex-Wallaby Ben Darwin, defines cohesion as “the objective measure of understanding between teammates”, which includes factors such as games played together, and weekly team selection.

Darwin has also discussed how different

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