RICHMOND v. MELBOURNE

Recent game: Round 9 2014 MCG – Melbourne 91 defeated Richmond 74.

Cotchin v. Melbourne

Rd 9 2014: 112 SC points, 26 disposals
Rd 8 2013: 119 SC points, 26 disposals
Rd 15 2012: 100 SC points, 28 disposals
Rd 3 2012: 126 SC points, 22 disposals
Rd 22 2011: 94 SC points, 18 disposals

Average is 110 SC points with 24 disposals.

Note: Good, but not a spectacular, recent record against Melbourne. No scores over 130. Has played the two most recent games matched up against Jones. Cross was sent to tag Deledio in Round 9 2014 whilst McKenzie was sent to Deledio in Round 8 2013.

ST KILDA v. CARLTON

Recent game: Round 16 2014 Etihad Stadium – Carlton 151 defeated St Kilda 66.

Murphy v. St Kilda

Rd 16 2014: 124 SC points, 27 disposals
Rd 8 2014: 118 SC points, 32 disposals
Rd 16 2013: 75 SC points, 20 disposals
Rd 7 2012: 73 SC points, 17 disposals
Rd 24 2011: 115 SC points, 36 disposals
Rd 7 2011: 90 SC points, 24 disposals

Average is 99 SC points with 26 disposals.

Note: Poor record against St Kilda. He avoided the tag in the most recent game as Weller went to Gibbs (and kept him to only 61 SC points). Prior to that game, Murphy was normally tagged by Jones.

ESSENDON v. COLLINGWOOD

Recent game: Round 17 2014 MCG – Essendon 103 defeated Collingwood 39.

Swan v. Essendon

Rd 17 2014: 68 SC points, 20 disposals
Rd 6 2014: 143 SC points, 26 disposals
Rd 19 2013: 108 SC points, 30 disposals
Rd 5 2013: 127 SC points, 30 disposals
Rd 23 2012: 175 SC points, 42 disposals
Rd 5 2012: 180 SC points, 42 disposals
Rd 19 2011: 176 SC points, 45 disposals
Rd 5 2011: 106 SC points, 24 disposals
Rd 20 2010: 142 SC points, 31 disposals
Rd 5 2010: 78 SC points, 25 disposals

Average is 130 SC points with 32 disposals.

Note: Unbelievable recent record against Essendon – except for his most recent game against them. Only managed 68 SC points in the most recent game with Baguley following him for most of the game. He won the Anzac Medal last year in Round 6 where he kicked four goals. Three scores over 170 against them since 2011.

Pendlebury v. Essendon

Rd 17 2014: 93 SC points, 23 disposals
Rd 6 2014: 124 SC points, 30 disposals
Rd 19 2013: 105 SC points, 27 disposals
Rd 5 2013: 136 SC points, 29 disposals
Rd 23 2012: 125 SC points, 31 disposals
Rd 5 2012: 140 SC points, 34 disposals
Rd 19 2011: 160 SC points, 32 disposals
Rd 5 2011: 130 SC points, 34 disposals
Rd 20 2010: 120 SC points, 32 disposals
Rd 5 2010: 130 SC points, 29 disposals

Average is 130 SC points with 31 disposals.

Note: Good recent record against Essendon except for the most recent game where he was tagged by Hocking. He was tagged by Melksham in the Anzac Day clash which Hocking missed.

Watson v. Collingwood

Rd 6 2014: 115 SC points, 19 disposals
Rd 19 2013: 115 SC points, 31 disposals
Rd 5 2013: 126 SC points, 31 disposals
Rd 23 2012: 126 SC points, 28 disposals
Rd 5 2012: 93 SC points, 23 disposals
Rd 19 2011: 119 SC points, 27 disposals
Rd 5 2011: 90 SC points, 29 disposals
Rd 20 2010: 119 SC points, 30 disposals
Rd 5 2010: 80 SC points, 32 disposals

Average is 109 SC points with 28 disposals.

Note: Relatively poor record against Collingwood with only two scores over 120 since 2010. He was tagged by Macaffer in the Anzac Day game. In Round 19 2013 he played head to head with Ball (with Macaffer being sent to tag Heppell).

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v. GOLD COAST

Recent game: Round 6 2014 Metricon Stadium – Gold Coast 134 defeated defeated Greater Western Sydney 94.

PORT ADELAIDE v. HAWTHORN

Recent game: Preliminary Final 2014 MCG – Hawthorn 97 defeated Port Adelaide 94.

FREMANTLE v. SYDNEY

Recent game: Qualifying Final 2014 ANZ Stadium – Sydney 93 defeated Fremantle 69.

Kennedy v. Fremantle

QF 2014: 94 SC points, 22 disposals
Rd 5 2014: 144 SC points, 38 disposals
PF 2013: 101 SC points, 24 disposals
Rd 8 2013: 151 SC points, 29 disposals
Rd 2 2012: 132 SC points, 36 disposals
Rd 17 2011: 103 SC points, 24 disposals

Average is 121 SC points with 29 disposals.

Note: Good average against Fremantle but has avoided the Crowley tag (who is normally sent to Jack). Most recently he played head to head against Mundy.

Fyfe v. Sydney

QF 2014: 87 SC points, 29 disposals
Rd 5 2014: 109 SC points, 32 disposals
PF 2013: 122 SC points, 27 disposals
Rd 8 2013: 111 SC points, 23 disposals
Rd 2 2012: 85 SC points, 28 disposals
Rd 17 2011: 138 SC points, 31 disposals

Average is 109 SC points with 28 disposals.

Note: Up and down average against Sydney. Most recently played head to head against Parker.

BRISBANE v. WEST COAST

Recent game: Round 17 2014 ‘Gabba – West Coast 76 defeated Brisbane 64.

Rockliff v. West Coast

Rd 7 2013: 153 SC points, 34 disposals
Rd 18 2012: 65 SC points, 21 disposals
Rd 10 2012: 88 SC points, 27 disposals
Rd 23 2011: 179 SC points, 31 disposals

Average is 109 SC points with 30 disposals.

Note: Two great scores against West Coast and two poor scores. Most recently played head to head against Priddis.

GEELONG v. NORTH MELBOURNE

Recent game: Semi Final 2014 MCG – North Melbourne 98 defeated Geelong 92.

Selwood v. North Melbourne

SF 2014: 148 SC points, 24 disposals
Rd 19 2014: 148 SC points, 29 disposals
Rd 10 2014: 113 SC points, 26 disposals
Rd 19 2013: 103 SC points, 24 disposals
Rd 2 2013: 140 SC points, 26 disposals
Rd 3 2012: 140 SC points, 29 disposals
Rd 7 2011: 126 SC points, 32 disposals
Rd 14 2010: 118 SC points, 32 disposals
Rd 8 2009: 130 SC points, 31 disposals

Average is 126 SC points with 29 disposals.

Note: Fantastic record against North Melbourne. Most recently scored a pair of 148’s against them. Most recently played head to head against Swallow. In Round 19 he played head to head against Ziebell.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v. ADELAIDE

Recent game: Round 6 2014 Etihad Stadium – Adelaide 92 defeated Western Bulldogs 83.

Sloane v. Western Bulldogs

Rd 6 2014: 123 SC points, 18 disposals
Rd 21 2013: 102 SC points, 17 disposals
Rd 4 2013: 146 SC points, 28 disposals
Rd 2 2012: 100 SC points, 21 disposals

Average is 118 SC points with 21 disposals.

Note: Most recently he played head to head against Cooney. Jong was sent to Dangerfield and Liberatore played head to head against Thompson.

In my opinion the race for the Captain’s choice is wide open. There are a number of options who are hard to separate. Based on the numbers above and on recent form, Selwood and Sloane look like great options. As always, however, Fyfe is a solid bet and who knows what Pendlebury, Swan or Watson could achieve in the Anzac Day clash. A semi-fit Rockliff is also an intriguing choice.

In my opinion, I would roll the dice on Fyfe (playing at home), then Sloane, then Pendlebury. Selwood and Watson would be very close behind.

Good luck all!