LaHug's Captains - Round 1 2013 Part 1 - Loophole Edition

[LaHug]

I happily do this every week, free of charge. However, if you are feeling generous and would like to thank me, please make a donation to my Cancer Research and Awareness Pledge: http://www.everydayhero.com.au/william_huggett

I'm back again for the third straight year of well researched captains advice!!!
For those new to the forums, each week I will tell you 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 have a guess at their score for this week. From all this, I'll give you my top 5 captain choices for the week. And remember, if you have any requests, just ask!

For this week, it's all about loopholes! Adelaide, Essendon, Fremantle, and West Coast players are locked in this Friday, then Richmond and Carlton players next Thursday so players from those teams can abuse the loophole. I'll be looking at top 3 for 2012 instead of last 3 games because it's only round 1. I'll be adding "potentials" in brackets next to my predictions.

How it works:
1. Select a player from one of those teams as your VICE CAPTAIN.
2. For now, set your captain to someone worthy of captaincy (in case you forget to change it) such as Swan.
3. IF your VC scores really well, sub a non-playing player onto the field and set them as captain.
4. Make sure you have an emergency in the position of your non-playing captain.

Note: This has risks if there is a late withdrawal as you won't have cover. I will not accept any responsibility for any such misfortune. Your team, your decision!

The facts:

Thompson
2012 avg: 105
Best 3 scores from 2012: 141 vs. St. Kilda, 138 vs. Port, 138 vs. Geelong
Last 3 against Essendon: 80, 104, 146 (110 avg)
Last 3 at AAMI: 106, 65, 80 (84 avg)

Dangerfield
2012 avg: 102
Best 3 scores from 2012: 142 vs. Carlton, 140 vs. Port, 137 vs. Freo
Last 3 against Essendon: 130, 79, 81 (97 avg)
Last 3 at AAMI: 136, 137, 130 (134 avg)

Watson
2012 avg: 112
Best 3 scores from 2012: 139 vs. Port, 134 vs. Brisbane, 134 vs. Richmond
Last 3 against Adelaide: 115, 64, 54 (78 avg)
Last 3 at AAMI: 115, 124, 64 (101 avg)

Stanton
2012 avg: 107
Best 4 scores from 2012: 193 vs. Brisbane, 175 vs. Carlton, 153 vs. North, 140 vs. West Coast
Last 3 against Adelaide: 87, 79, 83 (83 avg)
Last 3 at AAMI: 85, 87, 79 (84 avg)

Goddard
2012 avg: 97
Best 3 scores from 2012: 141 vs. Gold Coast, 125 vs. Geelong, 120 vs. Bulldogs
Last 3 against Adelaide: 71, 115, 78 (88 avg)
Last 3 at AAMI: 71, 96, 105 (91 avg)

Pavlich
2012 avg: 95
Best 3 scores from 2012: 144 vs. West Coast, 144 vs. Bulldogs, 120 vs. GWS
Last 3 against West Coast: 144, 97, 67 (103 avg)
Last 3 at Subi: 91, 79, 144 (105 avg)

Fyfe
2012 avg: 89
Best 3 scores from 2012: 124 vs. Geelong, 111 vs. Melbourne, 109 vs. West Coast
Last 3 against West Coast: 109, 93, 114 (105 avg)
Last 3 at Subi: 111, 82, 109 (101 avg)

Murphy
2012 avg: 101
Best 3 scores from 2012: 163 vs. Essendon, 139 vs. Collingwood, 117 vs. Fremantle
Last 3 against Richmond: 113, 116, 97 (109 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 163, 113, 114 (130 avg)

Gibbs
2012 avg: 92
Best 3 scores from 2012: 141 vs. Brisbane, 129 vs. Collingwood, 125 vs. Essendon
Last 3 against Richmond: 83, 104, 83 (90 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 125, 83, 95 (101 avg)

Cotchin
2012 avg: 111
Best 3 scores from 2012: 152 vs. Bulldogs, 145 vs. Essendon, 143 vs. Essendon
Last 3 against Carlton: 118, 120, 76 (105 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 125, 145, 152 (141 avg)

Deledio
2012 avg: 110
Best 3 scores from 2012: 160 vs. Essendon, 141 vs. Gold Coast, 141 vs. Hawthorn, 140 vs. Collingwood
Last 3 against Carlton: 99, 91, 79 (90 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 77, 117, 121 (105 avg)

The thoughts:

Thompson
A few big scores last year make this guy an interesting option but how many actually have him in their teams going into round 1? He was up and down a bit last year but the great thing about a VC is that it's only the potential that really matters. Still, not a likely choice for many. Prediction - 105 (130)

Dangerfield
A very strong finish to the year on his home turf and a nice 130 against the Bombers makes Danger a very good VC option (in fact, he's a legitimate C option as well). All but one of his big scores last season were at AAMI. Prediction - 120 (140)

Watson
Adelaide are definitely not one of his favourite teams to play but he didn't seem to have a problem last year. Less of a big score guy and more of a consistent performer last year. Good for a weekly captain but maybe not the wild POD a loophole VC is meant to be. Still, definitely worth a look if he made your starting team. Prediction - 110 (130)

Stanton
Remember the start to last year? Do ya? Do ya? 153 against the Roos and that was only the beginning. Now, we all know how much of a tease he was and how much he flopped but, if you have him because you believe he's a strong starter, slow finisher (as history suggests), he MUST be considered. Prediction - 105 (150)

Goddard
This would be very interesting... First game with a new team. What role will he play? Very hard to comment on this one. Last year was a down year but you'd expect him to be better this year. Prediction - 95 (130)

Pavlich
Not known for massive scores, Pavlich is only really on this list because of his nice 144 the last time he played the Eagles. Can he do it again? Definitely a chance but nowhere near my number one choice. Prediction - 90 (130)

Fyfe
Fyfe is coming off an injury plagued year that hampered a lot of his scoring. West Coast are one of his best career teams so I'm backing a good score. However, he has only scored above 120 twice in his career so he's still not a legitimate captain (or VC) option. Prediction - 105 (120)

Murphy
Not a strong preseason but Murphy has been consistent against the Tigers and I expect more of the same. He had some big scores last year so there's definitely potential there. The big draw is 5 out of 5 tons at the G last year with a low of 113. He loves this ground and I expect something nice. Prediction - 110 (140)

Gibbs
A couple of years ago, Gibbs was a perfect example of a loophole captain with a delicious 147. Last year, as a mid only, he was a DT let down. Now he's back in all of our defensive lines and an interesting option again. Definitely a good option but probably not your best. Prediction - 95 (130)

Cotchin
Got him in your team? If you do, he should be your VC, plain and simple. 11 out of 13 tons at the G last year and some ridiculous scores to end the season. He was strong against the Blues both times they matched up last year. He'd be a decent option for C, let alone VC. Prediction - 120 (145)

Deledio
Had some very big scores last year but they weren't against the Blues, a team he's failed to ton up against in his last 8 attempts. Would love to back him in but I don't like his chances to dominate. Prediction - 100 (120)

The verdict:

1. Cotchin (120/145)
2. Dangerfield (120/140)
3. Stanton (105/150)
4. Murphy (110/140)
5. Watson (110/130)

Requests:
Cox - requested by Toga
2012 avg: 99.5
Best 3 scores from 2012: 148 vs. North, 147 vs. Geelong, 131 vs. Essendon
Last 3 against Fremantle: 66, 89, 137 (97 avg)
Last 3 at Subi: 87, 147, 66 (100 avg)

Cox spent a lot of time up forward in both games against the Dockers last year and kinda sucked... The better score was with Sandilands playing and the 66 without. Not sure what to gather from this but we can still see he can score big on occasion. His poor form when playing up forward against the Dockers may convince me to take him out of my team and I don't see him as a C option. Still, as this is only VC, anyone's worth the gamble. Apparently there's no NicNat or Sandi so Cox will probably play a lot of ruck. This changes things... Prediction - 85100 (130140)

[Fireballz]

It's only now that I realise footy season is almost here. LaHug's Captains is back! Great stuff!

Cotchin for me all day!

[nostradamus]

Great job as usual La Hug

l wont be doing the captains loophole, all of my players will be playing rnd1

Apart from that l've got Swan and Ablett, and one of them will be my captain all season

[Toga]

Great stuff LH as always! Good to have your Captains article back! :D

Lids is the only one that I could use in my team atm but Murphy could be worth a shot if I swap him with JPK...

Descisions, decisions!

[Colliwobblers]

Great work Huggy, but I run Swan , all Swan and Nothing But the Swan, no need for loopholes, but GREAT ARTICLE.

[LaHug]

I know there's probably no need for the loophole when you've got Swan but there's no harm in VCing someone just in case they decide to score 150+...

[nrich102]

Great stuff la hug. I can't tell who will be my C or VC yet though, as I haven't finished my team yet  :P

[Toga]

I have a request LH, reckon you could do one for big Coxy? Thanks :D

[Windigo]

Don't have any of these players, Massive Cox the only one I'd look at with no Sandi...

[T Dog]

Don't have any of these players, Massive Cox the only one I'd look at with no Sandi...

Glad it wasn't just me who had none of these..was starting to worry.. :-\

[timmyparso]

Similar loop hole exists for emergencies.

I currently have Brad Crouch (playing 1st in Round 1) as my midfield emergency. If he smashes it (90+ for a rookie will do) it I'll play a non-playing mid so his score counts.

You can use the same non-playing mid as your captain loop too, double use!!

[Toga]

Similar loop hole exists for emergencies.

I currently have Brad Crouch (playing 1st in Round 1) as my midfield emergency. If he smashes it (90+ for a rookie will do) it I'll play a non-playing mid so his score counts.

You can use the same non-playing mid as your captain loop too, double use!!

Is it worth having a non-playing player to do that though? :-[

[timmyparso]

Similar loop hole exists for emergencies.

I currently have Brad Crouch (playing 1st in Round 1) as my midfield emergency. If he smashes it (90+ for a rookie will do) it I'll play a non-playing mid so his score counts.

You can use the same non-playing mid as your captain loop too, double use!!

Is it worth having a non-playing player to do that though? :-[

Only if the emergency smashes it. It would be rare that rookies will start 90+ in round 1 so if the emergency does it it may be worth it for an extra 10-20 points and trade the non-playing player out for a playing one before the round 3 price rise.

I was starting Crouch as emengency anyway with O'mera, Mitchell (if eleveated) and Wines as my on field rookies. Probably unlikey to have to use the loop hole but is there if needed.

[KoopKicka]

Cheers LH! torn as to whether to chuck the VC on Stants or Cotch :-[

[Justin Bieber]

Cotch to score 150 easy just chuck the C on him