I was stoked to see that Jasmine is back for another year after finding this article cross my desk this morning. Enjoy her fine work- and dont forget the partial-lockout-vice-captian-trick.

Everyone is no doubt finalising their squads but the every important question is picking a captain and vice-captain. Gone are the days of perma-captain Gary Ablett which makes the task a little harder. Being Round 1 makes the decision even more tough (and Ablett isn’t even playing anyway!).

As I stated last season, however, my captain’s choice is largely determined by an analysis of the statistics (with a bit of gut feel!). I echo my word of warning last year – statistics are not determinative. For example, everyone will remember Lindsay Thomas’ huge 217 game against Carlton in Round 12. That remained his only game with a score over 100 last year. His next highest score is 96. His next highest score is a very ordinary 69.

In a game such as Supercoach, there are too many variables. I use statistics to identify trends and likely outcomes.

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Judd v. Richmond

Rd 20 2010: 146 SuperCoach points, 30 disposals
Rd 15 2009: 95 SuperCoach points, 29 disposals
Rd 1 2009: 136 SuperCoach points, 23 disposals
Rd 1 2008: 102 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals
Rd 5 2007: 110 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals
Rd 22 2006: 131 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals
Rd 3 2006: 119 SuperCoach points, 19 disposals
Rd 11 2005: 182 SuperCoach points, 23 disposals

Average is 127 SuperCoach points with 24 disposals.

Notes: Pretty consistent scores against the Tigers despite being tagged by Morton (Rd 10 2010), Jackson/Deledio (Rd 15 2009) and Jackson (Rd 1 2009). Has had a good pre-season.

Murphy v. Richmond

Rd 20 2010: 137 SuperCoach points, 25 disposals
Rd 1 2010: 119 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals
Rd 15 2009: 101 SuperCoach points, 19 disposals
Rd 1 2009: 150 SuperCoach points, 28 disposals
Rd 14 2008: 90 SuperCoach points, 19 disposals
Rd 1 2008: 111 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals

Average is 118 SuperCoach points with 23 disposals.

Note: Last few games against the Tigers he has alternated being tagged (variously by Jackson, White and Polo) and also playing head to head (against Martin and Foley). Still manages to punch out good scores.

Selwood v. St Kilda

Rd 13 2010: 129 SuperCoach points, 34 disposals
Rd 14 2009: 111 SuperCoach points, 30 disposals
Rd 4 2008: 100 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals

Average is 113 SuperCoach points with 28 disposals.

Note: In 2010 he played head to head against Dal Santo. In 2009 he played head to head against Montagna. In the post-Ablett era, he may now cop the Clinton Jones tag.

Riewoldt v. Geelong

Rd 14 2009: 107 SuperCoach points, 16 disposals, 3 goals
Rd 4 2008: 102 SuperCoach points, 17 disposals, 3 goals
Rd 10 2007: 130 SuperCoach points, 20 disposals, 2 goals
Rd 19 2006: 134 SuperCoach points, 26 disposals, 4 goals
Rd 7 2006: 113 SuperCoach points, 16 disposals, 3 goals
Rd 19 2005: 159 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals, 3 goals
Rd 7 2005: 106 SuperCoach points, 13 disposals, 2 goals

Average is 122 SuperCoach points with 19 disposals and nearly 3 goals.

Note: He has a pretty good history against Geelong. However his most recent scores (in 2009 and 2008) have barely broken the ton due to Harry Taylor’s emergence and ability to match up well against him.

Montagna v. Geelong

Rd 13 2010: 128 SuperCoach points, 32 disposals
Rd 14 2009: 78 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals
Rd 4 2008: 131 SuperCoach points, 35 disposals
Rd 10 2007: 114 SuperCoach points, 27 disposals
Rd 19 2006: 126 SuperCoach points, 19 disposals
Rd 7 2006: 57 SuperCoach points, 18 disposals
Rd 19 2005: 54 SuperCoach points, 12 disposals

Average is 98 SuperCoach points with 24 disposals.

Note: Take out the shockers from 2005 and 2006, the average jumps to 115 SuperCoach points with 27 disposals. Generally doesn’t cop the Ling tag.

Goddard v. Geelong

Rd 13 2010: 127 SuperCoach points, 27 disposals
Rd 14 2009: 99 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals
Rd 4 2008: 90 SuperCoach points, 19 disposals
Rd 19 2006: 80 SuperCoach points, 18 disposals
Rd 7 2006: 141 SuperCoach points, 29 disposals
Rd 7 2005: 75 SuperCoach points, 16 disposals

Average is 102 SuperCoach points with 22 disposals.

Note: Not an outstanding average. Only two big scores against Geelong. Most recent game against Geelong was last year’s quarter final. Ling was sent to tag him mid game. Had previously been allowed to play head to head.

Pendlebury v. Port Adelaide

Rd 15 2010: 125 SuperCoach points, 30 disposals
Rd 10 2009: 94 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals
Rd 20 2008: 80 SuperCoach points, 18 disposals
Rd 4 2007: 115 SuperCoach points, 20 disposals

Average is 104 SuperCoach points with 23 disposals.

Note: Low scores in 2009 and 2008 as he was tagged by Cassisi. Looks set for a big year in 2011.

Swan v. Port Adelaide

Rd 15 2010: 127 SuperCoach points, 39 disposals
Rd 10 2009: 166 SuperCoach points, 48 disposals
Rd 20 2008: 118 SuperCoach points, 15 disposals
Rd 4 2007: 118 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals
Rd 20 2006: 100 SuperCoach points, 19 disposals
Rd 5 2006: 107 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals

Average is 123 SuperCoach points with 27 disposals.

Note: Port Adelaide can’t stop him. Recently been tagged by Cassisi (2010), Matt Thomas/Chad Cornes (2009), Chad Cornes/Shaun Burgoyne (2008). Still racks up mid scores. Normally starts season slowly however.

Franklin v. Adelaide

Rd 12 2010: 111 SuperCoach points, 18 disposals, 3 goals
Rd 20 2009: 107 SuperCoach points, 14 disposals, 4 goals
Rd 10 2009: 28 SuperCoach points, 12 disposals, 3 goals
Rd 12 2008: 66 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals, 1 goal
Rd 4 2008: 137 SuperCoach points, 18 disposals, 6 goals
Rd 14 2007: 37 SuperCoach points, 5 disposals, 1 goal

Average is 81 SuperCoach points with 15 disposals and 3 goals.

Note: Normally matched up against Bock and the Crows zone. Bock has now left.

Goodes v. Melbourne

Rd 17 2010: 141 SuperCoach points, 26 disposals, 4 goals
Rd 17 2009: 80 SuperCoach points, 17 disposals, 0 goals
Rd 13 2008: 90 SuperCoach points, 12 disposals, 1 goal
Rd 18 2007: 137 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals, 0 goals
Rd 5 2007: 41 SuperCoach points, 8 disposals, 1 goal
Rd 19 2006: 173 SuperCoach points, 29 disposals, 2 goals
Rd 4 2006: 99 SuperCoach points, 16 disposals, 0 goal
Rd 16 2005: 159 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals, 1 goal
Rd 5 2005: 127 SuperCoach points, 20 disposals, 0 goal

Average is 116 SuperCoach points with 19 disposals.

Note: Has cracked out big scores when he breaks the ton. In the games he has gone over 100, his average is 147. Has recently been tagged by Morton or Dunn or McDonald.


My opinion: Very difficult round to pick a captain. I would pick Swan, Judd or Goddard (in that order).

Good luck to all!!