SuperCoach Perfect 9: Who to pick in Round 5 to win $45,000 jackpot

DEMON Tomas Bugg was the key to the Perfect 9 prize last week. This week the jackpot is up to $45,000 — not bad a few minutes’ work. So who should we be looking at in Round 5?

PREDICTING Sam Mitchell would top-score in SuperCoach against St Kilda? Easy.

Picking Nat Fyfe to dominate against the Kangaroos? Please.

Nominating Tomas Bugg as the best scorer against Collingwood? That makes you a bona fide footy genius.

Amazingly, one entrant in SuperCoach Perfect 9 did just that last week. Sadly their other selections weren’t as prescient and they missed out on the jackpot.

That’s good news for the rest of us because the prize is now $45,000 for Round 5.

The concept is simple — name the top SuperCoach scorer in each of the nine games for the round and collect the cash. So who should we pick this week?

As last week illustrates, getting the combination right is a mix of expertise and luck. Here are the names to consider in Round 5.

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ADELAIDE v HAWTHORN

Sam Mitchell has scored at least 130 in three of the four rounds so far, but his recent record against Adelaide is modest, averaging 99 in his past three matches against the Crows. Liam Shiels (126) and Luke Hodge (122) were the highest scorers when these teams met last year, with Rory Sloane (117) top-scoring for Adelaide. Eddie Betts is Adelaide’s top-scoring player this year but Hawthorn has had his measure in recent times.

SYDNEY v WEST COAST

Dan Hannebery is building nicely, scoring 121, 125 and 129 the past three weeks. Slightly concerning that he managed only 60 against the Eagles last year. Matt Priddis scored 135 in that game and averages 115 in his past three against the Swans. He returns to the Eagles team this week after missing the win against Richmond with groin soreness.

GOLD COAST v NORTH MELBOURNE

Gary Ablett doesn’t seem to be playing with 100 per cent freedom but there’s no denying he loves playing the Kangaroos — scoring 124, 141 and 153 in his past three against them. Todd Goldstein is always a good pick and he scored 149 against the Suns last year. If you’re looking for a left-field choice, Kade Kolodjashnij scored 143 in that game.

Gary Ablett has a great record against North Melbourne. Picture: Glenn Hampson

WESTERN BULLDOGS v BRISBANE LIONS

Tom Liberatore has been a little down the past two weeks but he averages 114 against the Lions. Marcus Bontempelli scored 147 against Brisbane in Round 23 last year — game the Lions surprisingly won. Stefan Martin top-scored that day with 159 and is expected to play after passing concussion tests, while Pearce Hanley scored 146. Fresh off a 148 last week, he could be the man this weekend.

PORT ADELAIDE v GEELONG

Patrick Dangerfield’s scores this year read 162, 77, 166, 99 — so he’s due for a monster score this week. Corey Enright top-scored with 142 the last time these teams met with Chad Wingard posting 138. Expect Robbie Gray to bounce back after his first poor score of the year last week. He averages 101 against the Cats.

ST KILDA v GWS GIANTS

We tipped Leigh Montagna last week and although he didn’t get the chocolates, his 110 wasn’t too shabby. He could be a good pick again this week with an average of 113 in five games against the Giants. Jack Steven averages 107 against them. Dylan Shiel has four good scores this year without exploding — could this be the week? He scored 136 last time against the Saints.

FREMANTLE v CARLTON

Hard to look past Nat Fyfe. He top-scored in last week’s Freo v North Melbourne game and is averaging 138 since Round 1. He scored a modest 92 against Carlton last year but he posted 171 in the previous encounter. The two top-scorers in their last meeting were David Mundy (133) and Chris Yarran (121) so ignore that one. Sam Docherty averages 104 this year, can he go big?

Ivan Maric (right) wrestles with Alex Rance in preparation for his comeback game. Picture: Colleen Petch

MELBOURNE v RICHMOND

Ivan Maric’s imminent return is good news for Richmond fans and Perfect 9 players — he topped the scoresheet when these teams met on Anzac Eve last year with 124 points. But this time he’ll have to face the scoring machine that is Max Gawn. Shane Edwards would need a big turnaround in form to match his 122 from that night, when Jesse Hogan beat Alex Rance to post 118. Dustin Martin didn’t fire last year but had consecutive 118s before that.

COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON

It’s a shame Anzac Day specialist Dane Swan isn’t playing, he would have saved us one selection headache. Scott Pendlebury averages 115 against Essendon, just hope Bucks plays him in the midfield from the first bounce. David Zaharakis is Essendon’s top-scorer this year (average 124) and has Anzac Day form, but he has only managed 83, 56 and 82 from his past three against the Magpies.

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Originally published as SuperCoach Perfect 9: Who to pick in Round 5 to win $45,000 jackpot