Getting captain pick crucial in SuperCoach finals, plus best trade advice for Round 21
DUSTIN Martin’s record against Gold Coast is enough to make SuperCoach owners weep in joy. That’s why he’s a must as captain this week. Don’t have Dusty? Don’t despair, here’s our top captain picks.
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EVERY SuperCoach decision this week carries the weight of a season of sweat and tears.
Get it wrong and it could be season over. No pressure.
With trades dwindling and many teams looking very similar, you need to use every trick in the book to stay alive.
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If you’re not familiar with the emergency loophole, now’s the time to learn. Many teams have a non-playing rookie on the bench (like Tim Smith up forward or Logan Austin in defence) that allows you to put the emergency on an inconsistent scorer who plays early in the round.
If you have Jack Billings, stick him on the bench with the E. If he scores 110 again move Tim Smith on to the field and you’ll get Billings’ score. If he bombs against Essendon on Friday night you can back a Bayley Fritsch type to outscore him.
The same principle can be used in other positions with the likes of Paul Ahern, Tom Rockliff and Tom Doedee (it also keeps your opponent guessing when they are trying to follow live league scores).
Choice of captain has also never been more important - and more vexing with a series of standout options all playing at the same time on Saturday.
Tom Mitchell is Plan A after four straight scores above 150 but he can expect a Scott Selwood clamp at the MCG. Will it matter or does it open the door for Patrick Dangerfield (average 127 over his past five games) or Joel Selwood (159 last week)?
Meanwhile, at Metricon Stadium there is another overlooked option who could outscore them all.
Dustin Martin is looking a lot more like the 2017-era Dusty and comes up against the rudderless Suns who have conceded cricket scores to midfielders in the past fortnight (Cripps 173, Murphy 152, Oliver 147). Martin’s past three games against Gold Coast have produced scores of 142, 167 and 123.
Whoever you choose, make sure they are your vice-captain which allows you to put the C on Max Gawn against the Swans on Sunday.
That is unless the powerhouse ruckman, who only walked laps at training, is a late withdrawal. Then it’s every SuperCoach player for themselves.
CAPTAIN’S CORNER
DUSTIN MARTIN ($506,600, Mid). Last 3 v opp: 144
He’s been hot and cold this season, Dusty, but it’s fair to say he’s feasted on Gold Coast recently, averaging an insane 144 in his past three games. A high quality VC option.
TOM MITCHELL ($729,800, Mid). Last 3 v opp: 123
There’s no safer captaincy option in SuperCoach. However, Scott Selwood looms this week and while Mitchell has succeeded against taggers this year, few are as good as Selwood.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD ($606,200, Mid) Last 3 v opp: 120
Few have torched the Hawks as often as Dangerfield. The Cats superstar has averaged 120 in his past three against Hawthorn. In fact, his past five have returned an average of 131.
JOEL SELWOOD ($466,200, Mid) Last 3 v opp: 115
Is there a player that loves the big stage more? The Cats skipper was enormous last week against Richmond with 159 points and now faces arch-rival Hawthorn on the MCG.
BRODIE GRUNDY ($639,200, Ruck) Last 3 v opp: 115
Grundy has now moved past Max Gawn to be the No.1 scoring ruckman and No.2 overall scorer behind Tom Mitchell. The in-form Magpie has scored 150-plus three time in the past five weeks.
JUMP ON
JACK MACRAE ($551,400, Mid)
Need a replacement for Andrew Gaff? Look no further. The Bulldogs’ ball magnet has been in stellar form all season and with Ben Jacobs expected to miss for the Kangaroos, don’t expect a tagger to look his way.
JOSH KELLY ($598,900, Mid)
They say don’t chase last week’s scores but if you’ve got the cash, there are few better SuperCoach scorers than the Giants star. He’s not going to score 205 again but we’ll back him against Adelaide.
ALEX JOHNSON ($102,400, Def)
If you’ve got the trades to make a downgrade. Firstly, congratulations. Secondly, you could do a lot worse than the comeback Swan. Johnson scored an encouraging 65 in his first game since the 2012 Grand Final.
JUMP OFF
ANDREW GAFF ($517,700, Mid)
The star Eagle’s season is over after copping an eight-week ban at the AFL Tribunal. Gaff was the No.8 overall scorer before his brain explosion and is owned by a little over 30,000. Hope you’ve got a trade left or bench cover.
SHANE SAVAGE ($420,400, Def)
The Saint’s season is also over after injury in Round 19. Savage wasn’t outstanding but his average of 88 was good enough for No.9 overall among defenders. Heath Shaw, Luke Ryan and Jack Crisp are solid replacements.
TOBY GREENE ($367,000, Fwd)
We talked up the Giants star when he returned from injury in Round 17 but while his returned helped spark GWS, he couldn’t replicate the SuperCoach scores we know he’s capable of.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
ESSENDON v ST KILDA
No Essendon player has scored more points against bottom 10 opposition this year than Dyson Heppell (102 per game). Seb Ross has dominated against these sides with a team-high average of 104.
HAWTHORN v GEELONG
Jack Gunston had 13 disposals, two lead marks, two goals, two score assists and 85 points when these sides last met in Round 2. Joel Selwood finished with 29 disposals, 10 clearances and 140 points.
GOLD COAST v RICHMOND
Aaron Young averages 37 more points in wins compared to losses, the third-biggest differential of any player at the Suns. Trent Cotchin is the only Tiger to average three figures in wins this year (101).
PORT ADELAIDE v WEST COAST
Tom Rockliff is averaging just 69 points in the past three rounds, ranked 15th at Port Adelaide. Elliot Yeo has dominated over this period with an average of 127 points, ranked seventh in the league.
COLLINGWOOD v BRISBANE
Brodie Grundy monstered the Swans last week, finishing with 24 disposals and a season-high 20 hitouts-to-advantage and 167 points. Stefan Martin broke-even with Todd Goldstein, managing 12 disposals and 72 points.
GWS GIANTS v ADELAIDE
Josh Kelly enjoyed a career-best match in the big win over Carlton, finishing with 41 disposals, 205 points and a price rise of $58,800. Rory Laird scored a season-low 76
points in the Showdown and dropped by $21,900.
NORTH MELBOURNE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Shaun Higgins had 32 disposals and 123 points when he faced former side in Round 14. Toby McLean finished with 26 disposals, 86 points and a season-low one tackle.
MELBOURNE v SYDNEY
Nathan Jones is one of just two Demons to average 100-plus points against the Swans since 2014 (102). Luke Parker has led the charge and leads the Swans for points scored against Melbourne over this period (116).
FREMANTLE v CARLTON
Luke Ryan had 15 disposals, 11 uncontested possessions and 88 points in the win over Carlton in Round 13. Ed Curnow worked tirelessly, finishing with 26 disposals, five tackles and 95 points.
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