LaHug's Captains Round 14 - I HAVE A TWITTER!

[LaHug]

Hey guys, I have a Twitter now. Please follow it for hopefully more frequent updates. You can always ask questions and voice your opinions there! https://twitter.com/LaHugDT

Hey guys,
I finally have plenty of time to waste with exams done so bring on the requests! If you appreciate my work, why not reward me with a little vote in the Personality of the Year Award? http://www.fanfooty.com.au/forum/index.php/topic,45929.0.html

Each week, I will do some statistics on a player's last 3 games, their last 3 against this week's opponent, and their last 3 at this ground. I will also do a quick overview on my thoughts and taking a punt at their score for this week. If you have any requests, just ask away and I'll get to them as soon as I can!

Last week, I brought in a new feature telling you "tons per game" and top scores against each team in the last three weeks. If people like it, I'll make it a weekly feature.

Team summaries:
This is a new feature that I'm brought in last week. I simply tell you the average number of tons against each team over the last three weeks and the top few scores against them. Hopefully it helps summarise which teams give up the biggest scores. Please give feedback!

Carlton
Tons per game: 2.7
Top scores: 131 Dal Santo, 127 Montagna, 113 Sandilands

Hawthorn
Tons per game: 2.3
Top scores: 140 Zorko, 125 K.Cornes, 112 Ebert

Collingwood
Tons per game: 2
Top scores: 190 Ablett, 126 Waters, 114 Grimes

Fremantle
Tons per game: 3.3
Top scores: 150 Sloane, 124 Tuck, 115 Stanton

Adelaide
Tons per game: 3.3
Top scores: 131 Dal Santo, 127 Montagna, 113 Sandilands

Richmond
Tons per game: 3.7
Top scores: 147 de Boer, 110 Gram, 110 Goddard

West Coast
Tons per game: 2.7
Top scores: 132 Swan, 127 Redden, 120 Adcock

Gold Coast
Tons per game: 6.7
Top scores: 136 N.Riewoldt, 133 Thomas, 132 Grima, 131 Blake, 127 Harvey, 126 Petrie, 125 Wellingham, 120 Didak

Essendon
Tons per game: 4
Top scores: 117 Jetta, 115 Lower, 109 Bolton

Bulldogs
Tons per game: 3.3
Top scores: 154 Bolton, 141 Rockliff, 134 Hanley, 131 Jack, 125 Redden, 120 Zorko, 120 Hannebery

Sydney
Tons per game: 2
Top scores: 131 Watson, 118 Chapman, 118 Bartel

GWS
Tons per game: 3
Top scores: 150 S.Johnson, 137 Chapman, 127 Kelly, 126 Taylor

Geelong
Tons per game: 1.3
Top scores: 115 Coniglio, 112 Simpson, 100 Jack

Port
Tons per game: 3
Top scores: 133 Boyd, 119 R.Murphy, 109 Ellard

Brisbane
Tons per game: 2.7
Top scores: 122 Franklin, 113 Mitchell, 113 Priddis

Melbourne
Tons per game: 3.3
Top scores: 155 Beams, 150 Sidebottom, 142 Swan, 128 Watson

St. Kilda
Tons per game: 2.7
Top scores: 147 J.Riewoldt, 141 Thompson, 120 Maric

North
Tons per game: 3
Top scores: 204 Franklin, 148 Ablett, 119 Mitchell

The facts:

Swan
Last 3: 132, 142, 95 (123 avg)
Last 3 against Freo: 125, 131, 158 (138 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 132, 142, 95 (123 avg)

Beams
Last 3: 117, 155, 101 (124 avg)
Last 3 against Freo: 128, 100, 102 (110 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 117, 155, 101 (124 avg)

Thompson
Last 3: 107, 141, 65 (104 avg)
Last 3 against Richmond: 100, 122, 121 (114 avg)
Last 3 at AAMI: 141, 84, 138 (121 avg)

Ablett
Last 3: 148, 61, 190 (133 avg)
Last 3 against West Coast: 132, 127, 110 (123 avg)
Last 3 at Subiaco: 175, 132, 110 (139 avg)

Watson
Last 3: 101, 131, 128 (120 avg)
Last 3 against Bulldogs: 97, 135, 112 (115 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 131, 114, 134 (126 avg)

Stanton
Last 3: 115, 89, 105 (103 avg)
Last 3 against Bulldogs: 153, 138, 83 (125 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 89, 140, 193 (141 avg)

Boyd
Last 3: 70, 133, 106 (103 avg)
Last 3 against Essendon: 115, 85, 117 (106 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 70, 133, 111 (105 avg)

Chapman
Last 3: 118, 89, 137 (115 avg)
Last 3 against Port: 100, 127, 144 (124 avg)
Last 3 at Skilled: 137, 119, 100 (119 avg)

Rockliff
Last 3: 141, 100, 85 (109 avg)
Last 3 against Melbourne: 130, 134, 107 (124 avg)
Last 3 at Gabba: 85, 125, 73 (94 avg)

Zorko
Last 3: 120, 140, 102 (121 avg)
Last 3 against Melbourne: N/A
Last 3 at Gabba: 102, 96, 26 (75 avg)

The thoughts:

Swan
When I looked at his stats, I was very tempted to just ignore everybody else and tell you all it's Swan or bust. His scores against the Dockers are 125, 131, 158, 72, 122, 150, 101 going back to 2006. Only the 72 isn't good and take out the 101 as well to get 5 scores 120+! We should all know about his current form and how much he truly loves the MCG. Prediction - 145

Beams
Beams has played the Dockers three times in his entire career for three tons! A career average of 110 against them is amazing! Counter in his form this season and you're looking for a solid option. Freo are also giving up some massive tons so there's a good chance he'll explode. Prediction - 135

Thompson
Scotty Thompson was a little quieter than his owners would have hoped last week but not to worry, he should go bang against the Tigers. His last 6 against the Tigers are 100, 122, 121, 124, 115, 129 dating back to 2008. Other than his 84, he's also been destroying teams at Footy Park and you can expect another glorious display. Prediction - 130

Ablett
And now your decision gets a whole lot harder... There's something about the big guns playing these teams from the West but Ablett's last few go 132, 127, 110, 155, 109, 147, 104 back to 2007. Then you add in his last few in Perth 175, 132, 110, 130, 76, 155, 147 and things start to get a bit ridiculous. The one and only reason I am not backing him is Swan. West Coast have given up less recent tons than Freo and Swan is in marginally better form in my opinion. Prediction - 145

Watson
I don't want to oversell this as a ridiculous round but Watson's another one who should kill it! My stats show that the Bulldogs have given up a ridiculous 7 scores of 120+ in the last three weeks. Watson has some good scores against the Dogs in the last few games but the most exciting thing to look at is his 5 for 5 tons at Etihad this year. Prediction - 130

Stanton
Recent form is probably the only thing separating Stanton and Watson. That being said, Stants has a better history against the Dogs (7 of 8 tons going back to 2007) and a much bigger ceiling. Should be yet another premo to smash the Bulldogs. Prediction - 130

Boyd
I can't express my belief to see that one of our biggest premos isn't set to light the world on fire - it was starting to get ridiculous! Boyd has been good but not great against the Bombers and although they've given up a few tons recently, none have been huge. There is a catch with ignoring Boyd amongst all this ridiculousness and that is the pattern of big names bouncing back. Examples include Ablett's 190 after a 61 and Sidebottom's 150 after a 68. I still don't think you should go there though. Prediction - 115

Chapman
The inform guy at Geelong, Chappy has a great record against the Power and is even better at Skilled. Six straight tons at his home in Geelong and playing against a team with an entire leadership group on the injury list, I'd normally recommend him as a smokey or a good option behind GAJ and Swan. Sadly, it's hard to back an aging guy with so many other options. If you're extremely brave, he'd make a great POD. Prediction - 125

Rockliff
Is Rocky back? Personally, I think he is and this week will be a great week for him to prove his dominance. He enjoys smashing the Dees (although, strangely, he likes it more at the MCG than the Gabba) and he could carve them up again this week. Obviously, way too much risk attached to make him captain but I wouldn't be surprised with a big score. Prediction - 130

Zorko
Put him in for a bit of fun but do NOT put the C on this guy. He is a rookie and he could disappear at any time. That being said, I like him to continue his form this week. Prediction - 115

The verdict:

1. Swan (145)
2. Ablett (145)
3. Beams (135)
4. Watson (130)
5. Stanton (130)
Others worth considering: Thompson (130), Rockliff (130)

Requests:

Priddis - KoopKicka
Last 3: 83, 93, 113 (96 avg)
Last 3 against Gold Coast: 133 (133 avg)
Last 3 at Subiaco: 93, 108, 103 (101 avg)

Recent form and so many great options are the reasons I didn't consider Priddis it my initial write up but that 133 against the Suns last year is mighty tempting. The Suns are giving up at least one score of 130+ on a weekly basis but it hasn't always been to the best player/midfielder. Still, they give up so many tons that, even if it's not a 130+, you'd have to back Priddis into getting something reasonable. Probably not captain-worthy considering his form and the other choices. Prediction - 125

Selwood - Zombie2.5
Last 3: 103, 122, 62 (96 avg)
Last 3 against Port: 129, 60, 63 (84 avg)
Last 3 at Skilled: 62, 130, 100 (97 avg)

I can't seem to find why he only scored 60s in 2010 and 2009 against the Power but that, combined with his lack of recent huge scores is enough to give me doubt. His last game against Port was a nice 129 at Kardinia and he'll probably do well again this week but I feel there's too much uncertainty. Prediction - 110

Barlow - Shihan7
Last 3: 100, 101, 108 (103 avg)
Last 3 against Collingwood: 87, 146 (117 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 101, 98 (100 avg)

In his first game against them, Barlow had a delicious 146 at Subiaco Oval. He didn't back it up with anything super special but he did prove that he is capable of going big against the best. Obviously, you'd be crazy to pick him this week but I am backing him to continue his consistent form (not to go huge though, sadly). Prediction - 110

Redden - Windigo
Last 3: 125, 93, 127 (115 avg)
Last 3 against Melbourne: 82, 119, 70 (90 avg)
Last 3 at Gabba: 127, 99, 121 (116 avg)

Redden is yet to have that massive game against Melbourne that so many star midfielders have had in recent years. His recent form is pretty good and he has a good record at the Gabba. I think he'll likely be second in line to Rocky this week but I do expect his form to continue in the right direction. Prediction - 125

Maric - essendon2
Last 3: 113, 96, 120 (110 avg)
Last 3 against Adelaide: N/A
Last 3 at AAMI: 116, 68, 61 (82 avg)

Having only been traded after last season, this will be the Mullet's first game against his old club. Only one of his AAMI scores have been this year (i.e. his year of DT excellence) so we'll go with that for how he likes the ground. Looking at his recent form and adding in the fact that he'll be on a message to prove that the Crows made a mistake, you'd think he'll pump out a solid score this week. It won't, however, be worthy of the big C. Prediction - 115

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

[KoopKicka]

Cheers LH, can you do priddis, its vs GC ;)

[DT Gun]

Swan will get Crowley with or pendles out might stop him. Picken to jobe and cross to Stanton. Think ablett is the one

[Dave085]

I dont know if it will effect his output or not but i know Crows players  are prety crook at the moment and Thompson missed training this week.

[Fenno]

Great work again LaHug.

[LaHug]

Cheers LH, can you do priddis, its vs GC ;)

Done mate.

Swan will get Crowley with or pendles out might stop him. Picken to jobe and cross to Stanton. Think ablett is the one

I'd be more inclined to think Thomas will get the Crowley tag (obviously could be wrong though). Also, the Bulldogs taggers haven't seemed to make much of a difference in recent weeks. Still, Ablett's a great option!

[Mr.Craig]

Swan C and Watson VC locked and loaded.

[KoopKicka]

Cheers LH (:

[Zombie2.5]

Great write-up as always Huggy!! 8)

Can you do J.Selwood? Thanks ;)

Its close between Swanny and Ablett, can't make my mind! Leaning towards Swan, but i like the look at Beams. Probably going with my mid captain only rule though..

[LaHug]

Great write-up as always Huggy!! 8)

Can you do J.Selwood? Thanks ;)

Its close between Swanny and Ablett, can't make my mind! Leaning towards Swan, but i like the look at Beams. Probably going with my mid captain only rule though..

I'll have a look now.

[LaHug]

I HAVE A TWITTER NOW! PLEASE FOLLOW: https://twitter.com/LaHugDT

[ShaynoB]

I'm yet to see Swan get totally tagged out of a game. Even if he has a "poor" game he scores 90-100

[Chelskiman]

Swan C
Ablett VC

This is basically locked for the season now.

[LaHug]

Swan C
Ablett VC

This is basically locked for the season now.

Pretty much. I'll just do weekly articles for the procrastination ::)

[SydneyRox]

Ablett for sure... he will tear the Weagles a new one.... not point tagging him... 140+