Calvin’s Captains – Rd. 16

What a great week it was and this week could be even better. I was a little gutted when Gaz was pulled out of the game last week, as I really wanted to see if my gutsy head to head battle with my him and my #1 pick in O’Keefe would have paid off. Personally, I think it would have. Either way, enough about me and how talented and good looking I am and more about Rd. 16 captains. This week I have broken down to the top 5 players for the week like MC Hammer broke it down in 1990… check it.

Gary Ablett

Likes: It’s Gary Ablett. He’s a gun and can be massive at any moment. He’s averaging 129 in his last 5 this year and at the end of the day… he’s paying $1.80 for the Brownlow. Star.
Dislikes: He’s sore and didn’t play last week. Gaz scored 128 (33d) on the Tigers last year and avoided all tags as Jackson didn’t play. Jackson will play this week after holding Swallow to just 74 last week. Gaz also had 101 on them in 2011… but will he even play?

Ryan O’Keefe

Likes: It’s the ROKstar who was my #1 last week who dominated Melbourne for a nice 128. He’s averaging 115 in his last 5 games this year and plays the GWS who he had 116 on earlier this year and a nice 125 in 2011. He has a lowest score of 114 in his last 4 runs this year and should be great again.
Dislikes: The tags from the Giants. Many premos have failed Vs the Giants this year. Can be risky.

Michael Barlow

Likes: Over his career against the Eagles, Barlow has averaged 109 from 5 games. He had 126 on them in Rd. 1 of this year and scored 111 last week… his lowest score in his last 6 games. He’s on fire. He’s averaged 117 in his last 3 this year and is an outright jet.
Dislikes: Nothing, he just might be as big as Swanny or Stevie.

Stevie Johnson

Likes: Likes? Try… I love the fact that Stevie is back and meets the Demons. Over the last 2 years, Stevie’s 2 biggest DT scores against everyone are the 2 scores he got against Melbourne. Yep… he had 163 (35d, 10m, 3g) on them last year and a huge 171 in 2011. Watch out!
Dislikes: It’s very minor and insignificant as he will be fine, but he hasn’t cracked the 100+ mark at Simonds in his last 5 games there. Plus, how will he return after having 2 weeks on the sidelines. The latter I see as a positive as he will be fresh and hasn’t been out injured (like Gaz)… but my crystal ball can be deceiving at times. Back him in if you want cause he will be huge.

Dane Swan

Likes: I really like the fact that he scored a mega 163 last week. Yeah he did have 73 before that but let’s not forget the 137, 130 and 130 he has scored in his last 5 this year (avg. 127). Last week, Dalziell (124), Priddis (120) and Masten (112) scored well against the Crows. In the weeks before this, Prestia (157), Gaz (109), Deledio (129) and Grigg (116) all found the scoring easy. Swanny finds himself back at the MCG on a Friday night (again) to replicate the 163 he had there last week. Safe bet!
Dislikes: Will Nathan Buckley sit him forward or will he be played where he loves scoring points? Hopefully he is let free and I’m tipping he will. The other slight concern is that he didn’t play the Crows last year and only posted 94 on them in 2011. This was through the ‘Arizona Era’ where Swan averaged just 96 over Rounds 6 to 11. During this period, Swan was injured and unfit (oinky) and was shipped off to Arizona in Rd. 12. Therefore… there is no relevant history against Adelaide for us to analyse. At the end of the day… I’m on board! Grab the pig and let’s OINK him together!

Just Quickly…

Kieren Jack Vs GWS @ the SCG: Had 91 last week against Melbourne and averages 116 in his last 3 games against the Giants. Should be great!

Scott Pendlebury Vs Adelaide @ the MCG: Carries a lowest score of 108 in his last 4 this year and has only dropped under the 90 mark once this season. Had 88 on the Crows in 2012.

Trent Cotchin Vs Gold Coast @ Cazalys Stadium: Scored his first 100+ last week in his last 9 games. Why am I even mentioning him? DT is not his game in 2013.

Joel Selwood Vs Melbourne @ Simonds Stadium: Didn’t play the Demons last year but had a massive 178 on them in 2011… and had 110 and 105 before that. Back in some form with 128 last week and should be good on him home track Vs Melbourne!

Patrick Dangerfield Vs Collingwood @ the MCG: Averages 108 in his last 3 this year but hasn’t scored over 80 against the Pies in his career of 5 games.

Brett Deledio Vs Gold Coast @ Cazalys Stadium: Scored 141 and 119 against the Suns with both games actually being played at Cazalys. Very interesting.

Jimmy Bartel Vs Melbourne @ Simonds Stadium:  Only had 75 on them last year before being tagged and then vested out of the game. He had scores of 127 and 67 before that against them.

Ryan Griffen Vs Essendon @ Etihad Stadium: Only had 86 last week but is still averaging 127 in his last 5 this year. But wait for it… he scored 67 on Essendon last year and has only cracked a ton against these guys once in 2009… his first and only 100+ score against them in his career of 11 games. OUCH.