OK, I am back. I would normally say sorry for my absence but it seems that Walesy more than filled in for me (and I WAS out saving the world, not merely having a holiday)!!

I have been away for a while but a few things have caught my eye for this round. Firstly, there are a couple of injury niggles which seem to be affecting key players; namely Dane Swan and Chris Judd. Secondly, St Kilda finally got a win (albeit against a depleted Melbourne) and Goddard and Riewoldt are showing some signs of life. Thirdly, Ablett (who had a huge last game) finally gets to meet his ex-team mates – lucky for him the game isn’t at Skilled Stadium.

Some interesting numbers over the break …

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Swan v. West Coast

Rd 14 2010: 163 SuperCoach points, 38 disposals
Rd 9 2009: 149 SuperCoach points, 36 disposals
Rd 10 2008: 146 SuperCoach points, 36 disposals
Rd 2 2007: 97 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals
Rd 16 2006: 109 SuperCoach points, 20 disposals
Rd 7 2006: 94 SuperCoach points, 25 disposals

Average is 126 SuperCoach points with 30 disposals.

Note: Unbelievable recent record against the Eagles – 153 SuperCoach points over the last three games. However, has struggled recently – only averaging 97 in his previous four games this season. Hampered by injury. The numbers are attractive but the Swan we see playing this weekend is not the normal Swan.

Pendlebury v. West Coast

Rd 14 2010: 139 SuperCoach points, 37 disposals
Rd 9 2009: 108 SuperCoach points, 38 disposals
Rd 10 2008: 130 SuperCoach points, 23 disposals
Rd 2 2007: 76 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals

Average is 113 SuperCoach points with 27 disposals.

Note: A very solid average against the Eagles. Has stepped up this year and has increased his SuperCoach average by about 12 points from last year. Will shoulder more of the load if Swan is not 100%.

Cox v. Collingwood

Rd 14 2010: 69 SuperCoach points, 13 disposals
Rd 9 2009: 97 SuperCoach points, 12 disposals
Rd 10 2008: 155 SuperCoach points, 30 disposals
Rd 7 2006: 87 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals
Rd 9: 2005: 130 SuperCoach points, 23 disposals

Average is 108 SuperCoach points with 20 disposals.

Note: An up and down record against Collingwood. Collingwood missing Jolly will help him. Should dominate Cameron Wood. In great form averaging 127 over the past four games.

Judd v. Melbourne

Rd 11 2010: 109 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals
Rd 21 2009: 132 SuperCoach points, 33 disposals
Rd 5 2008: 167 SuperCoach points, 26 disposals
Rd 8 2007: 166 SuperCoach points, 23 disposals
Rd 9 2006: 91 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals

Average is 133 SuperCoach points with 25 disposals.

Notes: Take out the 2006 game and Judd’s average jumps to 144 SuperCoach points. Like Swan, the numbers are great but the injury cloud is a bit of a worry. There was some talk earlier in the week that Judd might be spending more time in the forward line for the rest of the season too.

Murphy v. Melbourne

Rd 11 2010: 94 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals
Rd 21 2009: 115 SuperCoach points, 27 disposals
Rd 5 2008: 73 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals
Rd 22 2007: 84 SuperCoach points, 23 disposals
Rd 14 2007: 122 SuperCoach points, 23 disposals

Average is 98 SuperCoach points with 25 disposals.

Note: Not a fantastic record against Melbourne. However, similar to Pendlebury benefiting if Swan is slowed, Murphy’s numbers should increase if Judd is not his normal self.

Riewoldt v. Fremantle

Rd 4 2009: 146 SuperCoach points, 17 disposals, 5 goals, 0 behinds
Rd 20 2008: 165 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals, 5 goals, 4 behinds
Rd 13 2008: 169 SuperCoach points, 25 disposals, 3 goals, 1 behind
Rd 20 2007: 113 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals, 1 goal, 1 behind
Rd 9 2007: 126 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals, 1 goal, 4 behinds
Rd 20 2006: 112 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals, 1 goal, 2 behinds
Rd 5 2006: 93 SuperCoach points, 14 disposals, 1 goal, 1 behind

Average is 132 SuperCoach points with 20 disposals and over 2 goals.

Note: Does not have a bad game against Fremantle. Average over the last 3 has been 160. Returned to form last week against a depleted Melbourne which helped him obtain a career high in possessions. However, in the 4 games prior to the Melbourne game, only averaged 71.

Montagna v. Fremantle

Rd 12 2010: 70 SuperCoach points, 17 disposals
Rd 4 2010: 81 SuperCoach points, 28 disposals
Rd 4 2009: 125 SuperCoach points, 30 disposals
Rd 20 2008: 86 SuperCoach points, 27 disposals
Rd 13 2008: 97 SuperCoach points, 15 disposals
Rd 20 2007: 102 SuperCoach points, 23 disposals
Rd 20 2006: 79 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals
Rd 5 2006: 92 SuperCoach points, 14 disposals

Average is 92 SuperCoach points with 22 disposals.

Note: Based on this history, steer clear. Had a nice big 151 against Melbourne last week though …

Goddard v. Fremantle

Rd 12 2010: 142 SuperCoach points, 33 disposals
Rd 4 2010: 133 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals
Rd 4 2009: 113 SuperCoach points, 29 disposals
Rd 20 2008: 104 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals
Rd 13 2008: 152 SuperCoach points, 26 disposals
Rd 20 2006: 115 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals
Rd 5 2006: 119 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals

Average is 125 SuperCoach points with 25 disposals.

Note: Very solid and consistent average against Fremantle. No scores under 100. Good scores last year against Fremantle. Returned to form last week against a Melbourne with a nice 127. However, in the 3 games prior to the Melbourne game, only averaged 87.

Dal Santo v. Fremantle

Rd 12 2010: 138 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals
Rd 4 2010: 129 SuperCoach points, 35 disposals
Rd 4 2009: 136 SuperCoach points, 31 disposals

Average is 134 SuperCoach points with 30 disposals.

Note: Strong average against Fremantle. However, his two most recent games this season he has only scored 81 and 78.


My opinion: I had a quick look at some other players; namely Goodes, Fisher and Franklin. Goodes has had some huge games against the Kangaroos including scores of 173 (most recently), 153 and 132. However, mixed in with those numbers are also totals of 79, 61 and 63. Too inconsistent for me. I also looked at Franklin. Franklin’s average against the Bulldogs has been very patchy as Lake normally matches up on him. Will be interesting to see who takes him on Sunday. Franklin has been in fantastic form this season. Im not sure who can stop him.

Those who know me, know that I am fairly conservative in my decision making. That’s why this week I am steering clear of Swan, Judd and Riewoldt even though their numbers are unbelievable. I am also steering clear of Goddard (despite his consistent numbers against Fremantle) as I am worried about his consistency this year.

For me, the clear choice is Joel Selwood against Gold Coast. Geelong should easily account for the Suns – hence Geelong players will get a huge slice of the SuperCoach pie – and Selwood will want to prove to everyone that Geelong is his team now. He is averaging 133 over the past 3 games this season. My second choice would be Cox. No-one can dispute his recent good form.

Good luck to all!!