SuperCoach Perfect 9: Best picks for Round 9
THE seemingly impossible can happen — just ask Jack Riewoldt. There is $65,000 up for grabs in Perfect 9 this week, all you need is the bounce of God. This week’s best picks
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THE seemingly impossible can happen — just ask Jack Riewoldt.
It’s no coincidence the SuperCoach Perfect 9 jackpot hasn’t gone off yet in 2016. You need a slice of luck and the planets to align to correctly name the top SuperCoach scorer in each of the nine games in a round.
Last week one entrant nailed six out of nine, almost enough to start dreaming about how to spend the cash windfall.
They fell just short but as Riewoldt proved when the footy bounced sideways into his hands to set up the winning play for Richmond against Sydney, miracles can happen.
Who’s to say it won’t be this weekend?
Here is some guidance for who to pick in Round 9.
HAWTHORN v SYDNEY
Dan Hannebery is absolutely flying, ranked No. 2 for SuperCoach points scored in 2016 and yet to drop under 100 all season. He scored 138 last week and averages 133 in his past three against the Hawks. Two genuine contenders have been off the boil in recent weeks but have the potential to score big. Luke Parker hasn’t beaten 90 since Round 6 but still averages 118 for the season and he scored 124 last time against the Hawks. Sam Mitchell scored 123 in that game but is averaging 81 points over his past three games. Lance Franklin is red hot but his recent form against Hawthorn isn’t pretty reading — 47, 72, 96 in his past three.
COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG
Hard to overlook Patrick Dangerfield. The No. 1 SuperCoach pointscorer in 2016 has a lowest score of 129 in the past month and scored 152 against the Pies in 2014. Midfield partner Joel Selwood will be looking to bounce back after a 69 last week; he still averages 113 per game this year. Scott Pendlebury has hit form in the past two weeks with 143 and 157 and he averages 124 in his past three against the Cats. Mitch Duncan could be a smoky — he has scored 153 and 142 in his past two games against Collingwood.
GOLD COAST v ADELAIDE
With Gary Ablett likely to miss we have to look elsewhere. Gun forward Tom Lynch scored 146 against the Crows last year but given the Suns’ form, the top score is likely to come from a Crow. Ruckman Sam Jacobs scored 127 and 132 in two encounters with Gold Coast last year, Rory Sloane is fresh off a 142 and could Eddie Betts kick a bag?
PORT ADELAIDE v WEST COAST
Welcome back, Robbie Gray. Port’s best player will return this week against a team he scored 143 and 139 against in their past two matches. Hamish Hartlett topscored for the Power last week with 129 and he scored 110 against the Eagles last year. After three down weeks, Matt Priddis scored 123 last weekend, just short of the 127 he scored against Port Adelaide in 2015. Nic Naitanui scored just 77 in that game but could run riot against a team with no ruckman.
NORTH MELBOURNE v CARLTON
Todd Goldstein is due for a huge score and he posted 164 against Carlton last year. Jack Ziebell scored 134 in that game. Bryce Gibbs is on fire, averaging 136 in his past three games — and he scored 140 the last time he played the Kangaroos. Marc Murphy averages 108 in his past three against North and could Jarrad Waite fire against his old side? He is still averaging 113 points a game this year.
FREMANTLE v RICHMOND
David Mundy kicked the winning goal against Richmond last year, scored 115 last weekend and averages 112 in his past three against the Tigers. Michael Barlow scored 115 against Richmond last year, but will Ross Lyon pick him this week? Richmond’s topscorer in that MCG game was the unlikely Troy Chaplin (122) — the battle at Subiaco earlier in the season might be a better guide. Dustin Martin scored 144 in that game, Trent Cotchin 123 and Brandon Ellis 117 — he hit 118 against the Swans and has a lowest score of 114 in his past three against the Dockers.
MELBOURNE v BRISBANE LIONS
Max Gawn became the latest victim of the Bulldogs ruck curse last weekend but expect him to bounce back hard against the hapless Lions. Jesse Hogan topped the ton against Brisbane last year but scores from that game don’t tell us much — the Dees’ two topscorers were Jeremy Howe and Daniel Cross, with Jack Viney posting 97. Dayne Zorko is playing a lone hand for Brisbane this year with a lowest score of 102 in seven matches and an average of 118. His last three scores against Melbourne are 145, 56, 151.
GWS GIANTS v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Why is no one talking about Luke Dahlhaus this season? Spending more time in the midfield has boosted his scores to a 110 average with a low score of 103 in his past six games. He scored 125 against the Giants last year. Mitch Wallis topscored in that game with 153 while Heath Shaw posted 144 and averages 129 in his past three matches and 125 in his past three against the Dogs. Stay away from Shane Mumford — ruckmen this year are scoring 28 points below their season average against the Dogs.
ST KILDA v ESSENDON
Nick Riewoldt’s 82 last Sunday was his worst score since Round 1 and the skipper will enjoy playing the Bombers after scoring 117 and 116 in their past two encounters. David Armitage faced Essendon twice last year for scores of 137 and 159. Leigh Montagna is averaging 104 this year and 129 in his past three against Essendon. The only Bomber to score over 100 against the Saints last year was Dyson Heppell but the form Essendon players this year are Zach Merrett (av 106) and David Zaharakis (av 104).
Originally published as SuperCoach Perfect 9: Best picks for Round 9
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