Calvin’s Captains – Rd. 23

Best Smokies

As I have said before – only go a smokie if you think you have no chance to win your Grand Final this week and you are hunting for a freak score and hoping a star like Gaz or Swanny fail. Big call, but that’s when and why you’d do it… so who do we have?

Your best option has to be Scott Thompson who loves playing the Suns. He had 135 on them in Rd. 1 and posted 135 and 151 on them last year. He hasn’t cracked 100 in his last 4 at AAMI and is only averaging 88 in his last 3 this year but will surely be better this week. Also look out for Patty Dangerfield. He has had 137 and 130 in his last 2 this year at AAMI and might shine again this week. Andrew Swallow Vs the GWS is also tempting after his 140 last week and he did have 94 on them earlier this year. Yeah, these guys might be ok, but I reckon these guys will be better….

BOOM – Will Get Nasty

Over the last 2 weeks, Essendon have been allowing opposition teams to score with ease against them (see fancy graphic)… and the top performing players have all been midfielders. This must be great news for Collingwood players this week. Dayne Beams has just kept flying. He has averaged 130 in his last 3 games this year with scores of 129, 129 and 131. He had 121 on the Bombers in Rd. 5 of this year and is averaging 134 at the MCG in his last 3 this year. The kid will finish off the year in style this week. Pendlebury has had previous scores of 113, 166 and 141 on the Bombers and has averaged 110 in his last 3 this year… he too should be good again this week. But it’s Dane Swan who should be the best! He had 171 in the recent Rd. 5 clash against Essendon with scores of 104 and another 171 before that. He has averaged 136 in his last 5 games this year and is carrying a lowest score of 116 in his last 5 as well. He’s been our man for the majority of the year and should finish off with style this week.

If not Swanny… then you must look at Gary Ablett. Now, I told you to avoid him last week when he had just 89 which was a ripping call by me (pat on the back) but this week I’m saying “get on!” Last time when he played the Crows (Rd.1, 2012) he had a very solid 136 and even had a huge 156 and 142 on them last year. He is still averaging 121 in his last 3 this year and should be huge like he has been in the past against them this week.

My Other Sea-Men

Lance Frankilin – He only had 67 last week and only had 76 on the Eagles this year. Nah, pass.
Brett Deledio – Had 107 in Rd. 6 against Port from only 24d without a tag. Will be better this week for sure.
Joel Selwood – Has only had 76 and 88 in his last 2 this year and only averages 97 on the Swans in his last 3… another pass despite the game being at Simonds.
Jobe Watson – Had 105 on the Pies in that Rd. 5 clash but with scores of 76 and 98 in his last 2 this year, he has gone missing recently.
Trent Cotchin – Very tempting after he had 145 last week, which meant he has scored his 2 best scores for this year in the last 3 weeks! But he had his worst score for the year against these guys (63, 17d) in Rd. 6 and has had scores of 65 and 83 before that. Gotta pass unfortunately.
Stevie Johnson – Only had 86 on the Swans in Rd. 13 this year and just 78 and 98 in his last 2 this year. Too risky but can have big scores at Simonds.
Matthew Boyd – Had a great 131 last week, but only 70 on Brisbane in Rd. 13 even with the tag of Raines going to Griffen. Another pass.

Thanks heaps for the time it takes to read this shit each week guys and it has been a blast of a year. Really hope to see you all in 2013! Twitter follow: @CalvinDT to stay in touch with all the pre-season gossip!