AHOY there, welcome to Calvin's Captains. I have not slept a wink since Sunday night as I have been up to all hours crunching numbers to find you the best AFL Fantasy captain for round eight.
To say I'm nervous this week is an understatement. The pressure is well and truly on as we attack the round without the reliable stars we have depended upon over the first seven rounds of the season.
Many of my top five regulars such as Pendlebury, Swan, Beams, Cotchin, Johnson and Ablett all have the bye this week. But in the pirate we trust, my friends, so join me as I do my absolute best in guiding you through your captain options for the week ahead.
RECORD BREAKER
In 2012, Brent Stanton [MID, $571,348] scored 193 points against the Brisbane Lions and meets them again at the Gabba this week. That was the second-highest Fantasy score registered since 1999, only to be beaten by Lance Franklin (204 points) and his 13 goals against the Kangaroos in the same year.
Stanton's form has been amazing. Up until last week, his lowest score was just 106 points in his last five games with an average of 123 points.
My only concern with Stanton this week is his inability to shake a tag. He was tagged out of the game last week for just 68 points by Liam Picken and only scored 78 points when he met the Brisbane Lions last year due to a tag from Andrew Raines.
Raines has only played in the two most recent games for the Brisbane Lions this year, but amazingly hasn't performed his tagging duties like he has in the past.
Last week, the Sydney Swans had eight players scoring more than 100-plus points against the Brisbane Lions, with five of them scoring more than 115 points. There will be plenty of points up for grabs again this week and Stanton will clean up better than 45 men scrubbing the deck.
PAPER, SCISSORS… ROCKYTom Rockliff [MID, $589,212] has been on fire over the last five weeks, scoring 141, 76, 116, 133 and 157 points.
This week, Rockliff meets the Bombers, a team that has given up plenty of Fantasy points over the last three weeks. In round seven, the top three scoring Western Bulldog players averaged out to score 115 points against them and when you look at the same statistic, Collingwood's (128 points) and St Kilda's (121 points) best three scorers also found plenty of the ball.
Due to the amount of time he spent forward last year, Rockliff's Fantasy scores don't really reflect his true history against upcoming opponents. He scored 83 points against Essendon in 2013 and will be much better than that at the Gabba this week. He has only played on his home ground twice this year for scores of scored of 141 and 116 points, and will be tough to stop on Saturday afternoon.
BALL MAGNET
Over the last three weeks, Leigh Montagna [MID, $596,429] has been the hottest Fantasy player in the competition, averaging 36 disposals a game at an average of 148 points.
Carlton have been in decent form of their own though over the last three weeks, only allowing nine opposition players to score more than 100 points against them.
Last year when he played Carlton, Montagna was tagged brilliantly to scores of 64 and 78 points by Ed Curnow, who isn't playing this week because of injury.
Montagna will run free under the roof of Etihad Stadium and should continue his amazing form again this week.
DOGS OFF THE LEASH
On Saturday night, the Western Bulldogs meet Melbourne under the lights of the MCG. Jack Macrae [MID, $516,066] ran hot during rounds three to five averaging 126 points but has dropped off the pace slightly in recent weeks with scores of just 88 and 89 points.
Luke Dahlhaus [MID, $460,170] is back in the 'haus' after averaging 111 points in his last three games, with a solid score of 120 points last week from 32 disposals. Although he only scored 77 and 53 points against Melbourne last year, I'm expecting him to continue his great form this week.
On the other hand, Ryan Griffen [MID, $402,687] is probably a Dog to avoid. He scored his highest score of the year last week of just 88 points. He has a mixed bag of scores against the Demons and comes with too much of a risk as your captain this week.
Compare this to Tom Liberatore [MID, $487,452], who played the Demons twice in 2013 and scored his two highest Fantasy scores ever) - 148 and 144 points. Liberatore has been in great form too, with scores of 110 and 112 points over the last two weeks. He's a super option this week if you are one of the lucky 9137 owners who have him.
Finally, we have veteran Matthew Boyd [MID, $555,377] who just keeps getting it done. He scored 129 and 90 points against Melbourne in 2013 and has been in rock solid form averaging 111 points over the last five weeks. Melbourne have given up 11 scores of more than 100 points to opposition players in the last two weeks and now it's time for the Bulldogs to have their day too.
Just quickly…
Once again, here are few more of the popular players I have looked at. If I have missed your favourite, you know the deal, message me on twitter (@CalvinDT) and I'll do my best to cover them next week.
Kieren Jack [MID, $488,527] v Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium: Jack scored 98 and 106 points last year against the Hawks and averaged 107 points in his last three games this year. He's a solid option.
Brad Ebert [MID, $567,099] v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval: Ebert should avoid the tag from Ryan Crowley who held Travis Boak to 66 points when these teams met last year. Ebert only scored 62 points last week but was averaging 130 points from his last three games heading into round seven. He has only scored over 100 points once in his career of 10 games against the Dockers and therefore has the odds stacked against him this week.
Jarrad McVeigh [DEF/MID, $486,212] v Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium: McVeigh scored 122 points last week and 92 points in his most recent game against Hawthorn. He's a gun player on his day who should be considered.
Michael Barlow [MID, $566,434] v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval: After starting the season with scores of 134 and 130, Barlow missed the next four games due to injury. He returned last week for a score of 80 points and will be much better this week, especially after Callan Ward racked up 162 points against the Power last weekend.
Kane Cornes [MID, $556,555] v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval: Cornes scored 100 and 110 points in his last two games against Fremantle and has scored 119, 145 and 136 points at the Adelaide Oval this year. Impressive numbers.
Nick Riewoldt [FWD/MID, $500,454] v Carlton at Etihad Stadium: Riewoldt has only scored 39 and 59 points over the last two weeks. He's been very unlucky with injuries during this time and should bounce back this week. After all, he did score 96 and 123 points against Carlton last year.
Jobe Watson [MID, $501,631] v Brisbane at the Gabba: Watson dominated the Brisbane Lions in his last two games against them with scores of 119 and 134 points. However, his form is far too risky at the moment after he has failed to score over 100 points in his last five games this year. Ouch!
ARGG, I HAVE NO ONE!
For the first time ever this year, I personally have no one in my top five. If you are in a similar position to me then listen very carefully. Trade! But if this isn't an option for you this week then rounding out my top 10 in round eight would be Luke Dahlhaus, Kane Cornes, Jack Macrae, Kieren Jack and Brad Ebert. These players are in order of how I would be selecting them if I was looking outside of my top five for a captain option.
It's going to be a very difficult week and I wish everyone all the best.
