Calvin’s Captains – Rd. 21

My Top 3

Let’s keep this nice and simple and I’ll explain to you why these lads grabbed the top 3 spots this week. Scott Pendlebury has only played at Etihad Stadium twice this year for scores of 133 and 124 and loves playing under the roof. He had 141 and 107 on the Roos last year and with previous guns like Jobe (132) and Boyd (115) scoring solidly on the Roos in recent weeks, you’d assume he’d get it done this week. His team mate Dayne Beams is in the same boat. He had 116 on the Roos last year and had 137 in his last run at Etihad. But it’s his form that just keeps rolling which gets him high in my top 5 this week. Beams carries a lowest score of only 113 in his last 5 games this year with an average of 121 in his last 3. Freaking impressive.

But it’s Gary Ablett who will be locked in as my #1 again for this week. Ok, so he only had 99 last week after a terrible start of just 26pts at the half. He came home strong and let’s face it, everyone had him locked in anyway. He is averaging 127 in his last 3 games this year and this week he plays the Hawks at the MCG, a ground where he has only played twice on this year for scores of 130 and 186 – Boom. Ablett killed the Hawks last year with scores of 135 and 147 and should be around that mark again this week. Over the last 5 weeks, arguably the best DT gun from opposition teams have top scored for their team against the Hawks. Boak (108), Selwood (125) and Watson (108) all were ok but it was in the Collingwood game where the guns really shone against them. Swan (165), Beams (147) and Pendles (142) found plenty of the rock and even before that Boyd (131) was great as well. Back in the gun and look out for a huge score from Gazza this week.

When do you need a smokie?

Great question I have asked to myself, and the answer is quite simple. If you don’t think you can win you’re league match this week by going head to head with your opponent, try to grab a sneaky 100pt bonus with a smokie captain.  Assume they will go will Ablett and therefore you are after a miracle! An injury, or a low score to the great man will leave you with a huge advantage… yeah it’s a long shot, but at the end of the day you were probably going to lose your league match anyway. So… what options do we have?

Firstly, look at my other picks other than Ablett, like Beams or Pendles. But if you are after a big smokey? Try one of these guys.

Dean Cox had a huge 147 last week and did have 118 on the Power last year. He averages 100 at AAMI in his last 3 and let’s not forget that even Giles (124pts) tore Port apart two weeks back. Whilst on the topics of Rucks, Cox (147) and NicNat (111) dominated Geelong last week as Orren had his work cut out for him big time. This week he is in doubt meaning that Geelong will go into the game without a recognised ruckman, so watch out for Ben McEvoy to have a big one as well.  Trent Cotchin is another after his massive 152 last week. He goes for his 7^th straight 100+ score this week and did have 112 (30d) on the Dockers this year in Rd. 11. In that game, Crowley went to Deledio and will again I’m tipping after it worked and Freo won. Delids had just 78pts (15d) and should be avoided based on this. Plus, his highest score against them is only 114 (2010) over his career of 10 games against them. Sam Mitchell is up against the Suns and he had 132 on them in one of his games last year. He hasn’t had anything over 109 in his last 4 this year, but he will this week at the MCG. I won’t support this one, but Adam Goodes did have 150 and 129 on the Bulldogs last year and has a highest sore of 90 in his last 5 games this year, but he pushes the term ‘smokie’ to ‘ridiculous smokie’ in my eyes. My biggest and best roughie for this week is clearly Scott Thompson. He’s not in my top 5 as that is based on reliability etc… But we are talking smokies. Now, he hasn’t scored over 100 in his last4  games this year, but oh my he will this week. Last year against the Lions he scored 138 (38d) and 126 (36d) and avoided the tag of Raines who went to Dangerfield where he only managed 50pts. If Raines leaves Thomo alone, he might just go bang this week.