Stat Attack: Ranking each team's desperation defence

Even though they finished ninth on the ladder in 2018, when it came to scrambling in defence, the Wests Tigers were second to none.

It took an average of 12.7 missed tackles for the Wests Tigers let the opposition over their goal line, the most of any club in the league. 

The stat explains why the Tigers had the sixth best defensive record last season despite finishing with more missed tackles per game than any other team.

Eventual premiers Sydney Roosters finished closely behind with an average of 12.1 missed tackles per try conceded.

Top-eight teams the Penrith Panthers and the New Zealand Warriors filled the third and fourth spots for efficient scramble defence – it took the Panthers an average of 11.9 missed tackles and Warriors an average of 11.6 missed tackles before they allowed opposition teams to put points on the board.

Runners-up Melbourne Storm claimed the fifth spot with an average of 11.0 missed tackles per try conceded, while the Cronulla Sharks on average missed 10.3 tackles before a try was conceded.

Bottom-eight teams in the Canberra Raiders (9.3), North Queensland Cowboys (9.2), Gold Coast Titans (8.6), Parramatta Eels (8.6), Canterbury Bulldogs (7.8) and the Newcastle Knights (7.6) also ranked at the bottom of the chart for average missed tackles per try conceded.

The Manly Sea Eagles' desperation defence left a lot to be desired, ranking last with an average of just 6.9 missed tackles per try conceded.

It comes as no surprise as the side also conceded the most points throughout the season (622).