AHOY there me hearties, welcome back to another edition of Calvin’s Captains. It’s been a tough task over the last two weeks, but join me as I take you on a wonderful voyage to help you select your AFL Fantasy captain for round 14. Fingers crossed we have some luck this week!
THEY OWE US!
For those living under a rock, Steve Johnson [MID, $537,336] was a late withdrawal last week, and therefore owes his loyal Fantasy coaches in round 14.
Many have held Johnson through his poor run that has seen him average 76 points in his last three games. He scored 94 points against the Suns last year and dominated them in 2011 with scores of 171 and 146.
Last week, the Eagles managed six scores of 100+ points against the Suns but it’s still too big a gamble picking Johnson as your captain this week. We all know what he is capable of, and I for one, have my fingers crossed he can bounce back to some great form this week.
After scoring just 76 points in his last game and then joining the list of non-starters last week, Dayne Beams [MID, $565,675] is another player who owes his Fantasy coaches a big score. He scored 91 points against the Hawks last year and should return to his best after a week on the sidelines.
CAREER BEST BRENDON
Last week, Brendon Goddard [MID, $528,640] racked up the highest Fantasy score for the round. His score 157 points against Melbourne was also his highest Fantasy score ever in his career!
He’s averaged 118 points in his last five games and meets Adelaide on Saturday under the roof of Etihad Stadium. Goddard has back to back scores of 71 points in his last two games against the Crows and is likely to attract the tag of Adelaide’s Sam Kerridge.
The Dons' 2013 best and fairest winner has form on his side though and has stepped up in the absence of Jobe Watson. Watch out for him to be great again this week.
YOUNG GUNS FIRING
This year we are seeing the future stars of AFL Fantasy shine. In the past, the likes of Ablett, Swan, Johnson and Rockliff were the first names mentioned when we spoke about premium superstars of the game.
We need to get used to hearing about Tom Liberatore [MID, $577,674], because this kid is here to stay. He has averaged 122 points in his last three games and has a lowest score of just 110 points in his last seven.
Liberatore scored 115 points when he played Port Adelaide last year and will usually avoid a tag, especially when Ryan Griffen is in form.
Adam Treloar [MID, $549,604] is another name to add to this future list of stars. He’s averaged 121 points in his last four games and meets Carlton this week on his home ground where he has averaged 134 points this year. He even managed 109 points against them last year and will likely be awesome again on Sunday afternoon.
Be excited Fantasy coaches, because the future sure looks bright!
GARY v GEELONG
This week at Metricon Stadium, Gary Ablett [MID, $580,798] locks horns with his old team for the fourth time since leaving Geelong.
He had an impressive 140 points against them last year and has been in solid form over the last two weeks scoring 146 and 118 points.
However, the biggest tick for Ablett this week is the fact that the game is being played at Metricon Stadium. He has averaged 128 points there in 2014 with 50 per cent of his games resulting in scores of over 140 points.
The only concern I have for the Little Master this week is that he will be marked by Cameron Guthrie who has tagged well in recent weeks restricting the scoring of Jack Steven (57 points) and Marc Murphy (84 points).
This concern is very minor though as I’m expecting Ablett to dominate against his former team on his favourite ground.
JUST QUICKLY...
As always, here are few of the top Fantasy stars I've crunched the numbers on. If I have missed your favourite, let me know on Twitter (@CalvinDT) and I’ll do my best to cover them next week.
Kieren Jack [MID, $544,161] v Richmond at the MCG: If I had a top six, this guy would fill the final position. Jack goes for his eighth straight score of 100+ points this week and had 128 points when he played the Tigers last year. A unique premium who is on fire and only owned by 7,000 coaches!
Brad Ebert [MID, $521,685] v Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval: Port Adelaide fans would hunt me down if I didn’t mention Ebert this week. He’s been brilliant over the last two weeks with scores of 136 and 110 points and had 105 points against the Bulldogs last year.
Brent Harvey [FWD/MID, $538,265] v Melbourne at the MCG: As we mentioned on our podcast, Brent Harvey keeps getting it done. He has scored 126 and 119 points in his last two games and even racked up 125 points against the Demons last year, which happened to be his best score for the season. He attempts to notch his fifth straight 100+ score against them this week and is every chance to get there.
Scott Pendlebury [MID, $551,066] v Hawthorn at the MCG: Pendlebury has scored 96, 111, 109, 142 and 132 points in his last five games against the Hawks. He is so consistent and has a lowest score of just 91 points this year but may cop a tag from Liam Shiels this week. Hawthorn are one of his favourite teams to score Fantasy points against so I’m expecting another score over 100 points this week.
Josh P. Kennedy [MID, $583,872] v Richmond at the MCG: His score of 94 points last week was his first score under 100 points in his last nine games. You don’t find many players more reliable than Kennedy.
Dane Swan [MID, $527,027] v Hawthorn at the MCG: Swan goes for his eleventh straight ton against the Hawks this week. Yes, eleven! This year, Swan has averaged 111 points at the MCG compared to 87 points in his away games. He has averaged 123 points against Hawthorn in his last five games and has scored 103, 114 and 101 points in the last three weeks. Just make sure you have him when he explodes, because you know it’s coming.
Jimmy Bartel [DEF/MID, $543,859] v Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium: Bartel scored 119 and 102 in his last two games against the Suns and is coming off a monster score of 148 last week. Superstar!
Michael Barlow [MID, $546,026] v Brisbane Lions at Patersons Stadium: Last year against the Lions, Barlow scored an impressive 115 points. Last week, Callan Ward (129), Tom Scully (116), Adam Treloar (115) and Dylan Shiel (111) all cashed in against them and Barlow, who is averaging 119 in his last three games, will as well this week.
Tom Rockliff [MID, $609,019] v Fremantle at Patersons Stadium: Now, Mr. Rockliff… 75 points last week as my number one pick isn’t good enough, my friend. He has only scored 80 and 91 points against the Dockers in his last two games and is a short-priced favourite to be tagged by Ryan Crowley this week. That said, seven Richmond players managed to score over 100 points against Fremantle last week. But I still think this Fantasy star comes with too many risk factors this week
