With the absence of a number of popular captain’s choices, I suspect that the choice this week comes down to a small number. Swan, Pendlebury, Sandilands, Selwood and Mundy are all out. The popular choices will be Ablett against Hawthorn down in Tasmania, anyone from Hawthorn against the Suns and Cox in a home game against Port Adelaide. Let’s see how the numbers look …

<!--more-->

Ablett v. Hawthorn

Rd 15 2010: ,79 SuperCoach points, ,32 disposals
Rd 2 2010: ,128 SuperCoach points, ,38 disposals
Rd 17 2009: ,139 SuperCoach points, ,33 disposals
Rd 1 2009: ,162 SuperCoach points, ,35 disposals
Rd 4 2007: ,113 SuperCoach points, ,17 disposals
Rd 22 2006: ,107 SuperCoach points,,27 disposals
Rd 3 2006: ,61 SuperCoach points, ,13 disposals

Average is 113 SuperCoach points with 28 disposals.

Note: Take out the scores under 100 and his average jumps to 130 SuperCoach points and 30 disposals. Has been in dominant, and league leading, form over the past four rounds averaging 149 SuperCoach points. Has shown he has the ability to get huge scores even when the Suns are thumped.

Cox v. Port Adelaide

Rd 2 2011: ,129 SuperCoach points, ,21 disposals
Rd 20 2010: ,126 SuperCoach points, ,23 disposals
Rd 2 2010: ,41 SuperCoach points, ,7 disposals
Rd 2 2009: ,116 SuperCoach points, ,21 disposals
Rd 5 2008: ,95 SuperCoach points, ,19 disposals
Rd 15 2007: ,60 SuperCoach points, ,15 disposals
Rd 12 2006: ,85 SuperCoach points,,15 disposals
Rd 10 2005: ,42 SuperCoach points, ,17 disposals

Average is 87 SuperCoach points with 17 disposals.

Note: A good recent record against the Power but a well below average against them before that. Poor record due to the matchup against Brogan/Lade in their prime. Has been in consistent form this year – averaging 126 over his past seven games.

Judd v. Sydney

Rd 6 2011: ,154 SuperCoach points, ,33 disposals
Rd 16 2010: ,86 SuperCoach points, ,28 disposals
Rd 16 2009: ,107 SuperCoach points, ,26 disposals
Rd 4 2009: ,109 SuperCoach points, ,30 disposals
Rd 16 2008: ,79 SuperCoach points, ,14 disposals
Rd 16 2007: ,105 SuperCoach points, ,21 disposals
Rd 1 2007: ,117 SuperCoach points,,27 disposals

Average is 108 SuperCoach points with 26 disposals.

Note: Has only managed one big score against Sydney which was earlier this year. No other scores above 117. Has only managed one score above 111 since round 7 (which was a 155 in round 10).

Murphy v. Sydney

Rd 6 2011: ,110 SuperCoach points, ,25 disposals
Rd 16 2010: ,115 SuperCoach points, ,25 disposals
Rd 16 2009: ,101 SuperCoach points, ,21 disposals
Rd 4 2009: ,108 SuperCoach points, ,22 disposals
Rd 16 2008: ,115 SuperCoach points, ,24 disposals
Rd 15 2007: ,75 SuperCoach points, ,18 disposals

Average is 104 SuperCoach points with 23 disposals.

Note: A solid but unspectacular record against Sydney. No scores above 115. Even taking out the 2007 score, his average rises to 110 SuperCoach points. However, recent form has been fantastic. Averaging 135 SuperCoach points over his past four games (second in the league behind Ablett and marginally in front of Pendlebury).

Goodes v. Carlton

Rd 6 2011: ,47 SuperCoach points, ,13 disposals
Rd 16 2010: ,121 SuperCoach points, ,25 disposals
Rd 16 2009: ,122 SuperCoach points, ,25 disposals
Rd 4 2009: ,76 SuperCoach points, ,12 disposals
Rd 16 2008: ,62 SuperCoach points, ,7 disposals
Rd 15 2007: ,90 SuperCoach points, ,19 disposals

Average is 86 SuperCoach points with 17 disposals.

Note: Typical Adam Goodes numbers. Too inconsistent. People may have been burnt by his 53 last round which was on the back of a nice 144.

Boyd v. Adelaide

Rd 19 2010: ,88 SuperCoach points, ,22 disposals
Rd 7 2009: ,85 SuperCoach points, ,26 disposals
Rd 22 2008: ,92 SuperCoach points, ,19 disposals
Rd 1 2008: ,46 SuperCoach points, ,17 disposals
Rd 20 2007: ,124 SuperCoach points, ,31 disposals
Rd 2 2007:,80 SuperCoach points,,22 disposals
Rd 20 2006: ,140 SuperCoach points,,29 disposals
Rd 50 2006: ,40 SuperCoach points, ,14 disposals

Average is 87 SuperCoach points with 23 disposals.

Note: A terrible record against Adelaide. Only two scores above 100 in eight games. Huge game last week, picking up 39 touches with 164 SuperCoach points in another Bulldog whipping.

Priddis v. Port Adelaide

Rd 2 2011: ,107 SuperCoach points, ,29 disposals
Rd 2 2010: ,92 SuperCoach points, ,21 disposals
Rd 16 2009: ,66 SuperCoach points, ,13 disposals
Rd 2 2009: ,108 SuperCoach points, ,22 disposals
Rd 15 2007: ,63 SuperCoach points, ,22 disposals

Average is 87 SuperCoach points with 21 disposals.

Note: Not a great record against the Power. Had a very solid start to the season but his numbers seem to be in a slight decline. Only averaged 109 over the past four games.

Goddard v. Geelong

Rd 1 2011: ,119 SuperCoach points, ,22 disposals
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

Average is 109 SuperCoach points with 23 disposals.

Note: A pretty solid record against Geelong. A nice return to form with 143 last round but remember, that score was preceded by only one score above 100 in the previous 6 games (at an average of 88).

Dal Santo v. Geelong

Rd 1 2011: ,113 SuperCoach points, ,30 disposals
Rd 13 2010: ,149 SuperCoach points, ,31 disposals
Rd 14 2009: ,95 SuperCoach points, ,26 disposals
Rd 4 2008: ,92 SuperCoach points, ,18 disposals
Rd 10 2007: ,62 SuperCoach points, ,11 disposals

Average is 102 SuperCoach points with 23 disposals.

Note: Solid previous two games against the Cats. Average before then. Only scored more than 100 in 2 out of previous 5 games.

Riewoldt v. Geelong

Rd 1 2011: ,86 SuperCoach points, ,16 disposals,,1 goal, 1 behind
Rd 14 2009: ,107 SuperCoach points, ,16 disposals,,3 goals
Rd 4 2008: ,102 SuperCoach points, ,17 disposals,,3 goals, 2 behinds
Rd 10 2007: ,130 SuperCoach points, ,20 disposals,,2 goals, 3 behinds
Rd 19 2006: ,134 SuperCoach points, ,26 disposals,,2 goals
Rd 7 2006: ,113 SuperCoach points,,16 disposals,,3 goals, 2 behinds
Rd 19 2005: ,159 SuperCoach points, ,22 disposals,,3 goals, 3 behinds
Rd 7 2005:,106 SuperCoach points,13 disposals,,2 goals, 4 behinds

Average is 117 SuperCoach points with 18 disposals and just under 3 goals.

Note: Fantastic record against Geelong. Very solid. Patchy recent form however, only scoring more than 100 in 2 of previous 8 games.

Bartel v. St Kilda

Rd 1 2011: ,127 SuperCoach points, ,27 disposals
Rd 13 2010: ,82 SuperCoach points, ,21 disposals
Rd 14 2009: ,149 SuperCoach points, ,37 disposals
Rd 4 2008: ,103 SuperCoach points, ,31 disposals
Rd 10 2007: ,138 SuperCoach points, ,31 disposals

Average is 120 SuperCoach points with 29 disposals.

Note: A very good record against the Saints. With Selwood out, may cop the Clint Jones tag? Only scored more than 100 in one of this previous four games.


My opinion: As I mentioned above, there are a number of standouts this week. Looking beyond those players, I don’t see much value.

For me, the clear choice is between Cox and Ablett. After these players, Franklin and Murphy are safe bets. Franklin has been in great form recently – aside from his 85 last round, he had averaged 123 over his previous four games. He should enjoy playing against the Suns on the small Tasmanian ground. I like Bartel as well who should pick up a lot of touches against the Saints.

In my opinion, I would pick Cox, then Ablett, then Murphy, then Franklin and then Bartel.

Good luck to all!!