A’OINK there, me hearties and welcome back to Calvin’s Captains for round 21.
I must say, I’m very excited. The mighty Tom Rockliff lived up to his Fantasy pig status last week and pumped out a huge 180 as my No.1 selection making me one proud pirate.
But, will he have it his own way again this week against Collingwood’s Brent Macaffer, or will Macaffer be tagging someone else?
THE MACAFFER TAG
Tom Rockliff [MID, $707,203] has now averaged 160 in his last three games with scores of 180, 110 and 190. Although he travels away from his beloved Gabba this week, he does carry an impressive record at the MCG where he has averaged 124 over the last four years, including a solid 137 in round 16.
Rockliff only managed 73 against the Pies last year, but he’s a different man in 2014 and Collingwood are a different team.
Last week, they allowed six West Coast players to score over 115 which included Matt Priddis’ game high 146.
However, the $707,203 question of round 21 is, who will Brent Macaffer tag?
I think he’ll go to Pearce Hanley. Hanley has been targeted by opposition taggers in recent week and at the moment, Rockliff is basically untaggable. He is averaging 36 points from tackles alone and should still score well if Nathan Buckley gives Macaffer the daunting task of shutting down our favourite pig.
Macaffer is a dangerous tagger, only allowing three players to score over 100 against him this season.
I honestly believe Rocky will be safe though, and I’m expecting him to score around the 150 mark again this week.
Also on the MCG will be former piglet nominee, Dayne Beams [MID, $545,542] who has really bounced back into some great form which has seen him average 125 in his last three games. He will have a field day against the Lions, a team he scored 122 against in his last encounter.
Adelaide's Rory Sloane (160), along with four of his teammates, all scored over 115 against the Brisbane Lions last week, which indicates that Scott Pendlebury [MID, $526,389] should also be amongst the points as well.
He has averaged 115 in his last six games against the Lions but only had 107 last week, his highest score in his last four games.
Steele Sidebottom [MID, $585,627] scored 115 last year against the Lions and has averaged 122 in his last three. He is also in some hot form at the moment and is set for another big game on Saturday night in what should be a high scoring Fantasy game.
THIS MIGHT GET NASTY
With St Kilda travelling north to play the Sydney Swans on Saturday afternoon, I’m tipping that things will get very ugly at the SCG.
Automatically, Josh Kennedy [MID, $555,601] must be on our radar this week as he plays one of the easiest teams to score Fantasy points against.
Kennedy averages 115 on his home ground and scored 126 and 98 when he crossed paths with the Saints last year. His form has been down slightly averaging just 100 in his last three, but he’ll be back to his best this week.
Another option must be Lance Franklin [FWD, $500,173] who scored 60 points in the first half last week against Port Adelaide before settling on 77, his lowest score in his last seven games. He’s destined to kick a big bag this week in his 200th game.
Kieren Jack [FWD/MID, $491,841] needs some points on the board after not scoring over 100 in his last three games. He did have 93 last week and is being out shadowed at the moment by his teammate, Ben McGlynn [FWD/MID, $553,214] who shares the same dual position status.
McGlynn hasn’t scored under 111 in his last five games. He scored 43 in the first quarter last week, before finishing on 115. As a forward, his form has been through the roof and up against the Saints this week, I can’t see him slowing down one bit.
STEVIE HATES CARROTS
Steve Johnson [MID, $539,903] has nothing against vegetarians, but he does hate carrots, Andrew Carrazzo that is. Boom tish!
After being tagged to just 58 last week by his old rival Ryan Crowley, Johnson will find himself with another tag from Carrazzo, who held him to 77 when the Blues and Cats met in round 12.
Johnson has played against the Blues seven times since 2009 and has failed to reach 100 on each occasion. Carrazzo held Dion Prestia (64) last week and will be all over Johnson again at Etihad Stadium.
This will be good news for Joel Selwood [MID, $580,597] though who has been on fire over the last month. He’s averaged 136 in his last three games but has only scored 79 and 66 in his last two games against Carlton. With such great form on the board, he’ll turn this poor record around this week and light it up again on Friday night.
JUST QUICKLY...
Here are few more of the popular players I have researched for you heading into round 21. If I have missed your favourite player, send a message on Twitter (@CalvinDT) and I’ll do my best to cover them next week.
Matthew Priddis [MID, $578,667] v Essendon at Etihad Stadium: Over the last three weeks, Priddis has delivered his two best Fantasy scores of his career. He dominated last week with 146 and had 107 and 111 against the Bombers last year. There is no reason why he can’t continue his amazing run, especially after Ellis (123) and Cotchin (113) scored with ease against Essendon last week.
Michael Barlow [MID, $561,292] v Hawthorn at Patersons Stadium: Surprisingly, Barlow has only averaged 104 at Patersons Stadium, compared to an average of 120 when he has played away. He scored 96 and 81 against the Hawks last year, but has dictated terms over the last two weeks with scores of 137 and 124.
Brandon Ellis [MID, $522,527] v Adelaide at Adelaide Oval: With scores of 123 and 110 in his last two games, and 112 against the Crows last year, Ellis is certainly one to watch this week. He’s a Fantasy star of the future.
Dyson Heppell [MID, $521,664] v West Coast at Etihad Stadium: Over his career, Heppell has played the Eagles five times, failing to score over 100 on each occasion. He did have 129 last week and averages 121 at Etihad Stadium this year, but I think we have better options than this.
Rory Sloane [MID, $539,801] v Richmond at Adelaide Oval: Sloane is coming off his career best Fantasy score of 160 but has failed to score over 100 against Richmond in his last four games. Sloane does love playing at Adelaide Oval though, which has seen him clock up nine 100+ scores there in 10 games.
Trent Cotchin [MID, $516,216] v Adelaide at Adelaide Oval: Now, Rockliff did have 180 against Adelaide last week, so can we expect the same from Cotchin? Probably not, but he has delivered back to back scores of 113 in his last two games.
