AHOY there me hearties. It’s that time of the week again and I’m back to run you through some of the best AFL Fantasy captain options for round 12.
In recent weeks, our ‘lock-in’ captains from previous rounds haven’t been preforming to the heights we’d expect.
So, being the ruthless pirate I am, Gary Ablett and Steve Johnson will miss my top five for the first time in a long time as I send a message and put players on notice.
This has caused me to dig much deeper into my captaincy treasure chest, and boy do I have some rippers for you.
DOG OFF A LEASH
Over the last five weeks, Tom Liberatore [MID, $552,312] has been a dog off a leash. He’s run free, scoring over 110 points in his last five games this year and meets the Brisbane Lions this week at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Liberatore scored an impressive 129 points last week against the miserly Dockers and managed 89 and 120 points against the Brisbane Lions in 2013. He looks set for another massive score once again.
ROYAL GIFTS
This Monday is the Queen’s Birthday. Although Her Majesty's actual birthday is on April 21st, I have still prepared some late gifts wrapped in black and white.
Dane Swan [MID, $539,727] should return this week after missing round 11 with an injured heel. He has been out of touch in recent weeks but has a record against Melbourne that needs celebrating. He averages 128 points against the Demons in his last six games and should bounce back to his ‘piggish’ best at the MCG this week.
Scott Pendlebury [MID, $556,053] has averaged 111 points in his last three games, and scored 117 points last year against the Demons. He’s always a reliable option, as is Dayne Beams [MID, $582,802] who has only scored under 105 points once so far this year.
Beams didn’t play Melbourne last year but did have 155 points when he met them in 2012 and averages 109 points against them over his career.
Melbourne are playing a different brand of football compared this year only giving up nine scores of 100+ points to opposition players in the last three weeks. This shouldn’t faze Collingwood’s star trio, as they have their sights set on another round of big scores.
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
Tom Rockliff [MID, $619,259] is simply unstoppable.
He has averaged 34 disposals and 12 tackles a game in his last three outings, scoring 153, 147 and 141 points.
Last year when Rockliff met the Western Bulldogs, he scored 139 and 114 points against them, but might find the going a little tougher this week, if Liam Picken targets him under the roof of Etihad Stadium.
Picken has claimed some big scalps in recent weeks but Rockliff’s form and history against the Bulldogs is too good to ignore.
He sits at my treasured number one position this week because not even Picken can restrict his Fantasy scoring, when the champion Lion is averaging 48 points a week from tackles alone.
If you are one of the lucky Fantasy coaches who owns the most expensive player in the competition, then lock him in with confidence and enjoy the show.
BARLOW IS BACK!
Due to injury, Michael Barlow [MID, $538,002] has only played six games this year. However, he has now scored over 130 points on three occasions already.
He managed an awesome 134 points last week against the Dogs and meets Adelaide this week at Patersons Stadium.
Over his career, Barlow has averaged 111 points against the Crows making them are one of his favourite teams to score points against.
He had 97 and 118 points against Adelaide last year and with his injury clearly behind him, he is now set for a huge second half of the year.
JUST QUICKLY...Once again, here are few more of the popular players I have looked at. If I have missed your favourite, please message me on Twitter (@CalvinDT) and I’ll do my best to cover them next week.
Steve Johnson [MID, $573,700] v Carlton at Etihad Stadium: With just 94 and 56 points in the last two weeks, we must pass on Johnson this week, especially given the fact he hasn’t scored over 100 points against Carlton in his last six games.
Josh P. Kennedy [MID, $587,302] v Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium: Over the last three weeks, Kennedy has dominated with scores of 123, 139 and 139 points. Throughout his career, Gold Coast are the only team he hasn’t scored 100+ points against. That will change in round 12 as he attempts to score his eighth straight ton in as many weeks. Look out!
Kane Cornes [MID, $528,395] v St Kilda at Adelaide Oval: Kane Cornes didn’t play against St Kilda last year and hasn’t scored over 100 points against them in his last five games. Pass.
Trent Cotchin [MID, $508,220] v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium: Cotchin has been in consistent form without setting the Fantasy scene on fire. His highest score is just 109 points in his last five games but we are looking for something a little better than that this week.
Marc Murphy [MID, $538,204] v Geelong at Etihad Stadium: Murphy has given us a rollercoaster year of scores with 153, 72, 120, 74 and 146 points in his last five games. He is averaging 136 points in his last three games at Etihad Stadium though and does have a great record against the Cats. Consider.
Brent Stanton [MID, $540,834] v Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium: Last year, the Giants tagged Stanton down to scores of 80 and 52 points. He should do well in Sydney this week, but does come with a small risk factor.
Joel Selwood [MID, $504,883] v Carlton at Etihad Stadium: Last week, Tom Rockliff (153 points) and Jack Redden (120 points) both scored well against the Blues and this week Selwood gets his chance. He scored just 66 points due to a tag from Andrew Carrazzo when he met Carlton last year but did have scores of 122, 122 and 113 points against them prior to that.
Leigh Montagna [MID, $556,610] v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval: Montagna has crashed back to earth in recent weeks, averaging just 82 points in his last three games. He did have 140 points when he met Port Adelaide last year and could return to form on Saturday afternoon.
Brendon Goddard [MID, $503,416] v Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium: Goddard has been in hot form over the last three weeks averaging 119 points a game. He scored 83 and 114 against the Giants last year and should be good again this week.
Gary Ablett [MID, $579,414] v Sydney Swans at Metricon Stadium: Over the last two weeks, Ablett has received a lot of physical attention and appears to be playing sore. He’s only managed 98 and 78 points during this time but should find some relief this week against the Swans who don’t usual apply hard tags. Ablett has scored 84 and 152 points against the Sydney Swans in his last two games and is still averaging 124 points on his home ground this year.
Kieren Jack [MID, $527,535] v Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium: Jack scored 123 points last week to average 114 points in his last three games. He scored 121 and 125 points in his last two games against the Suns and looks a safe bet to score well again this week.
Jobe Watson [MID, $541,592] v Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium: Watson only scored 54 points last year against the Giants, but has been in smashing form with scores of 114, 116 and 149 points in his last three games. Interestingly, only one Hawthorn player managed to score over 100 points last week against the Giants last week, but Watson should be amongst the points on Saturday night.
