AHOY there, me hearties and welcome back to Calvin’s Captains for the second last time this season.
Tom Rockliff has been making my job very easy over the last few weeks, so as you read Calvin’s Captains, use this information to also guide your trades as I try predict who will stand out.
THIS LITTLE PIGGY…
…went all the way back to the Gabba with another full belly of points after collecting his fourth bag of 40+ disposals in his last five games. Tom Rockliff [MID, $732,341] has been outstanding, even by his lofty standards in the past month. This newly crowned Fantasy pig has scored 165 and 180 in his last two games to average a 156 in his last five. He returns home this week where he has averaged 141 to meet the Dockers, a team he scored 172 against in round 14.
That day, Ryan Crowley tagged Pearce Hanley until the third quarter when he was finally moved to Rockliff who was sitting on 139 at that point. Regardless of who Crowley tags this week, I can’t see him slowing down this super pig, who is destined to score over 140 again this week.
On the other hand, Hanley [DEF, $557,568] may be in some danger if Crowley tags him like he did earlier this year. Hanley had only 28 when the tag was shifted in round 14, which allowed him to scrounge another 19 in the final quarter to finish on 47. He has been in amazing form recently though, posting huge scores of 147 and 184 over the last month.
Ask and you shall receive… Stefan Martin [FWD/RUCK, $546,096] is in Calvin’s Captains after many requested via Twitter that I cover the best ruckman/forward in the competition. He scored 111 against the Dockers earlier this year and carries a lowest score of 113 in his last five games, averaging 119 in that time.
My issue with Martin as a captain is simple. Yes, he is reliable but he hasn’t scored over 125 this year. We want more from our captain, but his consistency is amazing scoring between 97 and 123 in each of his games this year.
TAKE A 'COD' PIECE OF ADVICE
The term ‘COD’ refers to an old Fantasy pirate term, ‘Captain of Difference.’
At the business end of the season, many Fantasy coaches are seeking an advantage in selecting their captain, going away from the obvious selection in Tom Rockliff, hoping that the Lions fails.
This is only a risk worth chasing if you feel you’re doomed in your head to head final and need extra points for a decent overall score.
The best COD I have for you is the original pig himself, Dane Swan [MID, $468,684]. He returned last Saturday after missing the last three games and topped scored for the Magpies with 96. Swan scored 163 and 159 in his last two games against the Giants and with injuries to Pendlebury and Beams, we will not see Swan spending any time forward this week.
Dyson Heppell [MID, $535,436] has averaged 125 in his last three games under the Etihad roof and scored 122 against the Suns last year. He delivered 120 and 129 in his last two games and is a sure thing to post 120+ again on Saturday afternoon.
Adam Treloar [MID, $511,121] is my next best option as he plays on his home ground this week, where he has averaged 118 this year. He has scored 91 and 109 in his last two games against Collingwood but it’s the scores that Collingwood have been giving up that get me excited here. Over the last two weeks, the Magpies have conceded 11 scores over 110+ to their opposition which included dominant performances from Rockliff (165), Hanley (147), Matt Priddis (146) and even Sam Butler (140).
Joel Selwood [MID, $591,782] was tagged by Andrew Carrazzo to a respectable 104 last week despite a promising start. He has averaged 126 in his last five games and averaged 113 against the Hawks in his last eight, before his disappointing score of 58 in round five. Over the years, Hawthorn has been one of his favourite teams to score points against, and on the big stage at the MCG, he’ll reproduce his best numbers again.
By now, you know I love teams who play St Kilda and this week Brandon Ellis [MID, $519,751] gets his turn. He has averaged 108 in his last three games and posted 115 against the Saints in round 15.
His teammate Trent Cotchin [MID, $521,223] also shows great promise here after posting his second-highest Fantasy score over the last two years of 138 when he met the Saints in round 15. He has averaged 115 in his last three games and has scored eight 100+ scores in his last nine.
Kieren Jack [FWD/MID, $487,771] delivered the highest Fantasy score in his career (140) when he met the Bulldogs last year. He has averaged 126 in his last four against the Doggies.
Last but not least, I’ll throw Jordan Lewis [MID, $577,010] in as my final COD for the week. He has been in sensational form scoring 156 and 144 in his last two games. However, he carries a poor record against the Cats after scoring just 62 earlier this year against them and has failed to score over 100 in his last seven encounters against Geelong.
JUST QUICKLY...
Here are few more of the popular players I have researched for you heading into round 22.
Rory Sloane [MID, $539,193] v North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena: Sloane scored 106 and 145 in last his two games against the Kangaroos and despite scoring just 79 last week he should be back to his best this week in the chill of Tasmania.
Sam Mitchell [DEF/MID, $454,014] v Geelong at the MCG: Mitchell has averaged 116 against Geelong in his last four games which even includes a moderate score of 87 in round five.
Lance Franklin [FWD, $520,055] v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium: Last week, Drew Petrie took eight marks and kicked 2.3 for his score of 109 against the Western Bulldogs and with Franklin coming off 157 against the Saints, I’m tipping another big day out for Buddy this weekend.
Jobe Watson [MID, $546,248] v Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium: After missing eight weeks of football, Watson returned last week for a score of 98. In his last two games against the Suns he has failed to score over 100 making him too risky for the big ‘C’ this week.
Steele Sidebottom [MID, $578,888] v Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium: More midfield time will see Sidebottom improve on his recent scores of 94 and 101. He dominated against the Giants last year for a huge score of 143.
Matt Priddis [MID, $581,782] v Melbourne at Paterson Stadium: Priddis scored 98 last week, his lowest tally in his last four games. Nine Giants scored over 100 against the Demons last week, indicating that Priddis will be amongst the points once again.
