Welcome back to the round 14 edition of Calvin’s Captains. Plenty of info to digest this week, especially now that taggers are back in fashion once again. However, this week is pretty well straight forward, as long as you have the cattle to make it happen.
Be sure to check out all out EXTRA content over on our patreon space. Including the SCALE OF HARDNESS that gets updated weekly. Very important to target those players with great runs coming off their bye.
CALVIN’S TOP-5
No. 1 – Zorko v STK
@ GABBA, FRI 7:40pm
Here in this match-up he ticks so many boxes it’s not funny. Firstly, he returns to the GABBA where he has averaged 133 and 10 marks across five games this year. And… as we know, half-backers against the Saints have a day out. Flanders (163) was one of six Gold Coast defenders to take double-figure marks last week and we all saw it coming. Easiest VC of 2024.
No. 2 – Ryan v WBD
@ Marvel, SAT 1:45pm
No. 3 player based on form averaging 137 in his last three games. Although Ryan scored 86 against the Dogs in round seven… on that day he had 3 marks and we all know that’s not happening again. Ryan has averaged 136 in his last five games and scored 88 and 119 against the Dogs last season. Ryan has played at Marvel twice this year for scores of 126 and 98.
No. 3 – Gulden v AEL
@ Adelaide, SAT 7:30pm
151, 119 and 116 is pretty wicked form. He scored 107 against the Crows last year and lately we have seen Richmond have 3×100+ against the Crows, Eagles had 0x100+ and the Pies had 5×100+ on a day when Noble 120, Josh Daicos 118, Crisp 118 and Nick Daicos 115 all cashed in. Must rate highly based on form alone.
No. 4 – Clark v WBD
@ Marvel, SAT 1:45pm
No. 2 player based on form averaging 140 in his last three games. He scored 93 against the Dogs earlier this year with 11 marks but as we know, JC and Ryan have taken their piggish behaviour to another level in recent weeks. JC has played at Marvel this year for scores of 141 and 99.
No. 5 – Nank v HAW
@ MCG, SAT 4:35pm
Meek should come back in to take on Nank who has been in hot form scoring 118, 141 and 100 in his last three. Rucks against Meek this year have been great and in the last four weeks we have seen McInerney 106, Visentini 60, Marshall 164 and English 126 all score well. Should be huge again and I love Nank!
TAG WATCH
Missing my top-5 this week are some players who are set to be tagged. By all means, this might not be the case, however, as we have seen in recent weeks… if this happens, their scores will be lowered and from a captain perspective, this is a nightmare.
James Jordon to Jordan Dawson – A tag from James Jordon looks be on the cards as he has tagged previous players like Stewart, Dale, Walsh and Jordan Clark. Dawson is averaging 123 at home this year from seven games and hasn’t gone under 100 at the Oval.
Marcus Windhager to Lachie Neale – Lock and load this one. Windhager goes to inside MIDs and did a number on Touk Miller (47) last week. He will go the Brownlow medalist 100%.
Keep an eye out on Friday night as well with the likes of Dunkley, Steele and Berry. This combination will be interesting as as of these guys can/have had a little role at stoppages and around the ground. Who will go to who is anyone’s guess.
Liam Shiels to Nick Daicos – Sore shin and a tag. Lock this one in too. Shiels is getting on in age but tagged Merrett (78) recently and even Butters/JHF a few weeks ago.
Jed McEntee to Lachie Whitfield – Mayeb this happens… but probably not. McEntee did go to Tom Stewart (64) a while back and Lachie has struggled with attention recently.
SMOKIES TO CONSIDER….
Will Day v Richmond – You know I like players against the Tigers and Day is the obvious pick of the bunch here. He’s coming off 109 and will find it much easier than the Giants from last week.
Jack Crisp v Kangaroos – Talk about hot form…. 104, 123, 105, 118 and 130. Boom! He’s the kind of ‘forgotten’ player who can pump out a 130 on the Roos here.
Recent Comments
on The Thursday Scramble: Round 9: “Nice write up mate! I’m in the Max can wait camp, but what’s your view for those that have X…” May 8, 15:17on Fry’s Cash Cows – Rd. 9: “Great work fry, Which of these moves would you prefer: A: Davidson —> Hustwaite and Sanders —> Kennedy B: Prior…” May 8, 14:56
on Fry’s Cash Cows – Rd. 9: “Hey Fry. Erasmus have any JS? Lots are grabbing him in SC. Would Noddy coming back next week mean he’s…” May 8, 13:48
on Fry’s Cash Cows – Rd. 9: “Great article once again Fry. Looking at some trades this week with Lindsey or Lalor upgrade. I want to trade…” May 8, 12:39
Podcasts
The Thursday Scramble
The Thursday Scramble: Round 9
Cash Cows
Fry’s Cash Cows – Rd. 9
Calvin's Captains
Calvin’s Captains – Rd. 7
Cash Cows
Fry’s Cash Cows – Rd. 7
Cal's Scale of Hardness
Cal’s Scale of Hardness – Rd. 5
Cash Cows
Fry’s Cash Cows – Rd. 6
Thoughts on Dunkley VC into Ryan?
Like Dunkley
Not sure Ryan gets to mark at will against doggy talls..
Ended up changing my trades and am taking Zorko’s 125. Lucky about Dunkley tho, would have been a massive waste of a VC.
Got some Zork on my fork this week, had to throw him the VC.
Could go 200×2?!
Lyon did talk about getting after Brisbane’s kick mark play though, so who knows
Weird to see all the old dinosaurs celebrating the return of the tagger. Watching St Kilda stink it up again while sucking the joy of of the game. How is it ok to physically stop a player from even getting near the ruck. I’m off to the driving range.