LaHug's Captains - Round 19 - NEW TOP 5!

[LaHug]

Note: I have moved Cloke into my top 5!

You know the drill. Here's my take on some of the best captain options this week!
Please note: I am assuming that the Gold Coast ground St. Kilda used to play some games at is the same ground as GC plays at now. PLEASE correct me if I am mistaken.

The facts:

Pendlebury
Last 3: 124, 123, 107 (118 avg)
Last 3 against Essendon: 166, 134, 97 (132 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 123, 107, 105 (112 avg)

Swan
Last 3: 118, 101, 148 (122 avg)
Last 3 against Essendon: 104, 116, 83 (101 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 101, 148, 130 (126 avg)

Mitchell
Last 3: 113, 119, 137 (123 avg)
Last 3 against Fremantle: 129, 102, 129 (120 avg)
Last 3 at Subi: 147, 141, 106 (131 avg)

Boyd
Last 3: 117, 102, 119 (113 avg)
Last 3 against WCE: 102, 114, 94 (103 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 102, 119, 93 (105 avg)

Ablett
Last 3: 97, 101, 23 (74 avg)
Last 3 against St. Kilda: 67, 114, 103 (95 avg)
Last 3 at Metricon: 97, 23, 118 (79 avg)

Murphy
Last 3: 118, 93, 116 (109 avg)
Last 3 against North: 101, 109, 95 (102 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 116, 120, 129 (122 avg)

Montagna
Last 3: 117, 124, 78 (106 avg)
Last 3 against Gold Coast: N/A
Last 3 at Metricon: 146, 82 (114 avg)

Goddard
Last 3: 115, 109, 105 (110 avg)
Last 3 against Gold Coast: N/A
Last 3 at Metricon: 132, 83 (108 avg)

Dal Santo
Last 3: 140, 101, 134 (125 avg)
Last 3 against Gold Coast: N/A
Last 3 at Metricon: 114, 78 (96 avg)

The thoughts:

Pendlebury
Going for his 10th straight ton, Pendlebury is always a safe option you can rely on. Add to the fact that he scored 166 against Essendon this year, 134 against them last year and loves the MCG, you know he's going to explode. One talking point is that Hocking isn't playing this week meaning someone else would have to tag Pendlebury. Odds are that should be a positive thing but there is always a slight risk with a new match up. Expect big things from this lover of big games against one of Collingwood's biggest rivals. Prediction - 140

Swan
Despite the fact that Swanny loves the MCG, he doesn't like playing against the Bombers so this might be a week to leave him alone. Coming off two average scores by his standards (especially considering the 118 was against the GC), he might not be in for a huge one. Still, this is Swan we're talking about! Don't expect anything special but you can feel confident that he'll crack the ton. Prediction - 110

Mitchell
Firstly, you have to understand that those 140+ scores at Subi were both in 2009 and he hasn't played there since then. But then again, that shouldn't matter. Mitchell has continued his career form all season and he absolutely loves playing against the Dockers. He dodged the Crowley tag and was left to run free last time, so you'd think that he would draw a little more attention this time around. Still, I think he's in for a big one. Prediction - 130

Boyd
Still waiting for that big explosion from Boyd? I don't see it coming this week against an in form Eagles team. The Bulldogs have just about half of their team out injured this week so Boyd will surely get a lot of attention. However, the Bulldogs' captain has been stepping up recently and is looking like the 110+ scorer we loved last season. I wouldn't risk making him captain with his potential for scoring around the 70 mark. Prediction - 105

Ablett
With the 175 out and the 23 still in, Ablett's rolling average does not speak testament to his good season. Since that injury game, he hasn't looked the goods and I wouldn't think he's the best captain choice going around. Finally, the Saints are back in form and might hurt Gold Coast as badly as they did Adelaide last week. Pass. Prediction - 95

Murphy
After being one of many to score well last week, Murphy looks like he's back to his early season dominance. He loves to play at Etihad and I'd expect a big one from him this week. North are still giving up good scores (Black scored 130 on them last week). Murphy should be looking to score highly this week and a good unique option in the multibye round. Prediction - 120

Montagna
That 146 at Metricon was back in 2009 when St. Kilda last played at the Gold Coast. I'm not entirely sure how much you can take from that but it looks delicious anyway. Montagna loves playing in games where St. Kilda dominates but is hopeless when they're losing. Luckily, the shouldn't be losing considering their great form and that they're playing the Gold Coast. Expect a big one. Prediction - 125

Goddard
After a slow start that had us wondering what happened, Goddard is finally back in good form. With few specific stats to go by, we'll have to rely on the fact that Goddard is awesome and Gold Coast is not. He should do well this week if the Saints continue their hot streak. Prediction - 115

Dal Santo
NDS is having a killer season and, if his recent form is anything to go by, it looks like it's going to continue. For some reason, Dal Santo has been avoiding the tag this season and is pulling out huge scores (like last week's 140 or that 134 against Port) because of it. Consider this single thing - Gold Coast don't tag. That should be enough to put NDS right up there amongst the best this week. Prediction - 140

The verdict:

1. Pendlebury (140)
2. Dal Santo (140)
3. Mitchell (130)
4. Cloke (130)
5. Montagna (125)

Requests:

Cloke - Requested by Windigo
Last 3: 119, 100, 97 (105 avg)
Last 3 against Essendon: 118, 162, 97 (126 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 100, 97, 114 (104 avg)

It should be no surprise that last year's 162 is Cloke's best ever DT score and that Essendon is his favourite team to play (with a 94 career average which is huge for a key forward). Now, consider the awesome form he is in (6 of his last 7 have been tons), the new way he plays (getting his own ball as well as being the key target) and that he can now kick straight; you have yourself a superstar! Recent form doesn't lie and his form against Essendon makes a great positive. Personally, I'm against making key forwards my captain because they almost certainly have a few sub 60 scores each season (52 and 48 earlier this year for Cloke), but in a multibye round, it's the perfect time to take a punt. Good luck to those who do. Prediction - 130

Cox - Requested by Sleeken
Last 3: 137, 119, 94 (117 avg)
Last 3 against Bulldogs: 125, 75, 109 (106 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 119, 87, 106 (104 avg)

With Nic Natainui out and the Bulldogs missing half of their team, Cox should be a good chance to dominate. We can't forget that this is a ruckman and has a very high risk of letting you down, but he looks the goods this week. He's been the dominant ruckman in the competition and should look to teach the Bulldogs a lesson. I mean, seriously, who is the Bulldogs' ruck department?! Prediction - 120

Steve Johnson - Requested by PowerBug
Last 3: 74, 94, 110 (93 avg)
Last 3 against Melbourne: 93, 95, 66 (85 avg)
Last 3 at Skilled: 66, 143, 77 (95 avg)

Nothing special since his huge 171 and 143, nothing special against Melbourne, not the best option. I'm not sure what happened to him but I don't think he's the best captain choice going around... or even close to be honest. Prediction - 80

Joel Selwood - Requested by gareth
Last 3: 108, 70, 108 (95 avg)
Last 3 against Melbourne: 110, 131, 105 (115 avg)
Last 3 at Skilled: 92, 124, 129 (115 avg)

Selwood has been a bit disappointing recently with a large suspension not helping. This seems to be his best chance to bounce back with a good game. He has a fairly good average against Melbourne and, like the rest of Geelong, loves Skilled Stadium. It's hard to back him in while his recent form has been sub par. Prediction - 105

Redden - Requested by Zarts
Last 3: 119, 93, 130 (114 avg)
Last 3 against BYE: 0 (0 avg)
Last 3 at BYE: 0 (0 avg)

Redden is in good form recently but the BYE is by far his worst opponent this season, not managing to record a stat so far. Hopefully he can bounce back from his form slump against them but it doesn't look good as he usually gets tagged out of the game by nobody. The BYE is in good form after beating Port Adelaide last week (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXatqcigUFw&sns=em) and will probably shut him down. There are better options this week. Prediction - 0

Petrenko - Requested by The FARK Academy
Last 3: 122, 93, 102 (106 avg)
Last 3 against Port: 49, 58 (54 avg)
Last 3 at AAMI: 93, 102, 55 (83 avg)

So, he's scoring well above his price range at the moment and comes up against the hapless Port Adelaide on the weekend. That's all well and good but this is a young player that only recently broke into the team and hasn't been anything amazing. Great for his price but it would be wrong to even think about predicting a certain ton with this guy. Not even worth a gamble. Prediction - 75

Judd - Requested by Spite
Last 3: 138, 104, 120 (121 avg)
Last 3 against North: 69, 82, 74 (75 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 120, 76, 85 (94 avg)

In recent weeks, Judd has added "DT Star" to his resume. Always considered as a SCer and not a DTer, he has silenced his doubters with a big rolling average. But beware this week! He does not play well against North. In fact, they are his worst team to score against without a single ton in 12 games! For this week, steer clear! Prediction - 85

Fisher - Requested by Spite
Last 3: 66, 99, 33 (66 avg)
Last 3 against GC: N/A
Last 3 at Metricon: 95, 111 (103 avg)

Fisher owners will be hoping that the Gold Coast factor will be enough to get him some good points because his recent form has been pretty bad... Different players have been doing well against Gold Coast but, traditionally, it has been the midfielders and running forwards/backs that have been getting the good scores. Not too sure how it will go for Fisher but definitely not worth the risk. Prediction - 80

Broughton - Requested by Chelskiman
Last 3: 96, 114, 149 (120 avg)
Last 3 against Hawthorn: 117, 122, 94 (111 avg)
Last 3 at Subi: 96, 149, 139 (128 avg)

Those who believe that numbers don't lie will be jumping up and down about this prospect. Mr. Let Down at the start of the year has now started pumping out huge scores and looks great. The only thing to be wary of is the lack of a ruck department against a dominant midfield might make it a little bit more difficult to rack up big scores. Also note that his 149 and 139 were against the Gold Coast and Brisbane and now his prospect is looking a bit worse. His 96 last week was against a good team in West Coast and is probably a more accurate representation of what this week will look like. Could have a huge one but I'm tending to think it's going to be more of a good score than a great one. Prediction - 110

Franklin - Requested by Chelskiman
Last 3: 127, 109, 55 (97 avg)
Last 3 against Fremantle: 83, 98, 74 (85 avg)
Last 3 at Subi: 60, 74, 80 (71 avg)

Despite recent good form, Buddy has NEVER scored a ton against Fremantle and NEVER scored over 80 at Subiaco. I honestly couldn't tell you why but that is a good enough reason for me to say no. Prediction - 80

If you want me to look at another option, just ask in the comments!

[Windigo]

Look at Travis Cloke. From memory he slays the Dons.  ;)

[elephants]

Say hello to my C badge Sammy Mitchell....

[Windigo]

Say hello to my C badge Sammy Mitchell....

+1.  8)

[Zarts]

I put captaincy on NDS as soon as lockout ended ;)

[LaHug]

Look at Travis Cloke. From memory he slays the Dons.  ;)

Done!

Say hello to my C badge Sammy Mitchell....

I put captaincy on NDS as soon as lockout ended ;)

Both good choices and I'm still unsure as to what order to put the three tbh. Be ready for a possible order flip (or two) for my top three this week! Really wish I had NDS......

[Windigo]

Yep, debuted against the Dons. Clokey is a smokey. But not for me.

[elephants]

Sammy is a champ but Swanny could urinate all over a Hocking-less essendon side...

[Zarts]

Look at Travis Cloke. From memory he slays the Dons.  ;)

Done!

Say hello to my C badge Sammy Mitchell....

I put captaincy on NDS as soon as lockout ended ;)

Both good choices and I'm still unsure as to what order to put the three tbh. Be ready for a possible order flip (or two) for my top three this week! Really wish I had NDS......

lol, I traded in NDS as one of my first upgrades in round 8 to give me an edge in my next 2 rounds vsing my hardest competition in my league... he single handedly lost me my next two games lol...

although, to be fair, he has also singlehandedly pulled me through many other games :P

[LaHug]

Sammy is a champ but Swanny could urinate all over a Hocking-less essendon side...

Swan doesn't get tagged though. Hocking goes to Pendlebury so a lack of Hocking would help Pendles more than Swan, surely?

[Sleeken]

What about Cox with Nic Nat out? I'll probably still go pendles though.

[PowerBug]

Stevie J! Stevie J! Stevie J!

The Saints used to play in Launceston, and the link i put on the other thread says they didn't go to Metricon before that.

[LaHug]

What about Cox with Nic Nat out? I'll probably still go pendles though.

I'll get on it!

Stevie J! Stevie J! Stevie J!

The Saints used to play in Launceston, and the link i put on the other thread says they didn't go to Metricon before that.

I'll have a look at Stevie J for you.
Also, they played one game a year up at the Gold Coast in 09 and 08 and I think that was Carrara. Thanks for the link.

[PowerBug]

I don't mind about his potential scores, coz 1. it's a multi-bye round and i don't care and 2. Every time i open the DT home page it says "Operation Aborted" and closes.

[JBs-Hawks]

Not for captains really but for who rides the bench, A Swallow and L Hodge