There has already been a bit of discussion about picking a captain this round. Swan is emerging as a possible perma-captain after notching up a very nice 166 against Port Adelaide in Round 1. Everyone is also talking about the hot form shown by the various ruckman around the league. The reduced bench seems to have assisted them in terms of playing time which is a good reason for their increased output.

The other hot topic is Gold Coast. Everyone (except for Ablett!) is expecting them to be beaten pretty soundly by Carlton which makes players such as Judd, Murphy or Gibbs attractive choices as captains. Of course, there is someone called Gary Ablett who is also playing in that game …

Winning teams pick up most of the SuperCoach points allocated in a game. The Gold Coast preseason SuperCoach numbers are interesting. On average, you would expect between 3 to 5 players on each team to score over 100 SuperCoach points per game. In its first two preseason games, no Gold Coast player broke the ton. Yes, no-one. In its final hitout, only two players broke the ton (Stanley with 117 and Matera with 103). This could be explained by McKenna resting his gun players and also giving his younger players a good spread of playing time. It might also mean that the Gold Coast players aren’t seeing much of the ball – which conversely means that Carlton players will be in for a field day on the weekend …
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Swan v. North Melbourne

Rd 7 2010: 127 SuperCoach points, 38 disposals
Rd 6 2009: 127 SuperCoach points, 33 disposals
Rd 16 2008: 88 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals
Rd 5 2008: 87 SuperCoach points, 20 disposals
Rd 1 2007: 122 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals
Rd 22 2006: 102 SuperCoach points, 23 disposals
Rd 3 2006: 101 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals

Average is 108 SuperCoach points with 26 disposals.

Notes: Not a fantastic record against North. Hasn’t managed to pump out a big score against them. Has started the season on fire. Looks like a goal kicker too.

Ablett v. Carlton

Rd 21 2010: 107 SuperCoach points, 21 disposals
Rd 5 2010: 171 SuperCoach points, 33 disposals
Rd 19 2009: 81 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals
Rd 10 2008: 157 SuperCoach points, 32 disposals
Rd 2 2007: 122 SuperCoach points, 28 disposals
Rd 14 2006: 96 SuperCoach points, 17 disposals

Average is 122 SuperCoach points with 26 disposals.

Notes: In his most recent game, he was tagged by Carazzo. The two games prior to that, he was tagged by Joseph. In the 2008 game he was again tagged by Carazzo. Still has the ability to get big scores under a heavy tag. The issue for Ablett will be the fact that he will be the only Gold Coast player that opposition coaches target.

Goddard v. Richmond

Rd 21 2010: 144 SuperCoach points, 29 disposals
Rd 11 2010: 188 SuperCoach points, 38 disposals
Rd 13 2009: 121 SuperCoach points, 35 disposals
Rd 7 2008: 70 SuperCoach points, 15 disposals
Rd 17 2006: 119 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals

Average is 128 SuperCoach points with 28 disposals.

Notes: Take out the shocker in 2008 where he basically disappeared from the game after a shocking second quarter and his average from four games jumps to 143 SuperCoach points with 31 disposals. Most recently been tagged by Morton. Had previously gone head to head against Edwards in his huge 188 SuperCoach point game. Will likely cop a tag in this game.

Riewoldt v. Richmond

Rd 21 2010: 136 SuperCoach points, 18 disposals, 3 goals 3 behinds
Rd 13 2009: 96 SuperCoach points, 17 disposals, 2 goals 2 behinds
Rd 7 2008: 52 SuperCoach points, 9 disposals, 1 goal 1 behind
Rd 22 2007: 147 SuperCoach points, 19 disposals, 3 goals 3 behinds
Rd 13 2007: 151 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals, 4 goals
Rd 17 2006: 117 SuperCoach points, 15 disposals, 2 goals 3 behinds
Rd 2 2006: 115 SuperCoach points, 17 disposals, 3 goals 1 behind

Average is 116 SuperCoach points with 17 disposals and 2.5 goals.

Notes: Suffered an injury to his knee in the third quarter of the Rd 7 2008 game. Take out that score and his average jumps to 128 SuperCoach points with 18 disposals and 2.8 goals.

Franklin v. Melbourne

Rd 20 2010: 116 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals, 3 goals 2 behinds
Rd 9 2009: 112 SuperCoach points, 14 disposals, 4 goals 2 behinds
Rd 9 2008: 103 SuperCoach points, 14 disposals, 3 goals 3 behinds
Rd 1 2008: 139 SuperCoach points, 16 disposals, 6 goals 3 behinds
Rd 2 2007: 62 SuperCoach points, 14 disposals, 1 goal 3 behinds

Average is 106 SuperCoach points with 16 disposals and 3.4 goals.

Notes: Normally matched up against Frawley or Garland. Recent form has been solid although, being Franklin, he can chuck in a stinker like his 2007 performance. Take out that score and his average becomes 118 SuperCoach points. Had a relatively quiet game last week against Phil Davis. Should bounce back playing back at the MCG.

Sandilands v. Geelong

Rd 3 2010: 108 SuperCoach points, 16 disposals, 37 hitouts
Rd 22 2009: 56 SuperCoach points, 17 disposals, 33 hitouts
Rd 15 2008: 84 SuperCoach points, 13 disposals, 20 hitouts
Rd 6 2008: 172 SuperCoach points, 24 disposals, 42 hitouts

Average is 105 SuperCoach points with 18 disposals and 33 hitouts.

Notes: Only one big score in recent history. Not worth the risk against Geelong.


My opinion: Swan’s relatively low SuperCoach output is disappointing. His disposal numbers remain high however. Goddard and Riewoldt with consistently good scores against Richmond. Judd will get a bit of leather poisoning against the Suns. Hard choice.

Tossing the coin … Swan, Goddard and Judd for me (in that order).

Good luck to all!!