SuperCoach Perfect 9: Who will top-score in AFL Round 6?

HAVE you had a crack at SuperCoach Perfect 9? This week’s jackpot is $50,000 and it’s easy to play. We just need Jack Riewoldt’s ankle to hold up.

Nick Riewoldt always plays well against Melbourne.

HAVE you had a crack at SuperCoach Perfect 9? This week’s jackpot is $50,000 and it’s easy to play. We just need Jack Riewoldt’s ankle to come up.

The concept is simple — pick the top-scoring SuperCoach player in all nine games of a round and take home the cash prize.

In practice it’s not so easy, especially when Paul Puopolo bobs up as the matchwinner. But for a few minutes’ work, it’s worth a stab when you consider the jackpot is now equal to the prize for the No. 1-ranked SuperCoach player at the end of the season — a title that takes months of work.

So who should we pick this week? As Poppy demonstrated, there is a bit of educated guesswork involved but we’ve crunched the numbers to give everyone a headstart. Here’s a clue: it could be a big weekend for the Riewoldts.

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Jack Ziebell is having a great season.

NORTH MELBOURNE v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Jack Ziebell is having a breakout year, averaging 111 points, but his history against the Dogs isn’t great — scoring 52, 72 and 61 in his past three. Todd Goldstein scored 102 against the Dogs last year but is averaging 128 this year and will be up against Tom Campbell. Marcus Bontempelli hasn’t reached the heights of 2015 yet this could be his night — he scored 153 and 139 in his past two against the Roos.

MELBOURNE v ST KILDA

If you like consistency, Nick Riewoldt is your man. In his past three against Melbourne he has scored 133, 135 and 133 points. Leigh Montagna scored 131 against the Dees last year with the winning goal boosting his score, but he does have a 143 against them under his belt in 2013. Bernie Vince and Tom McDonald topped the Demons’ scoresheet in Round 11 last year with 125 points each and you can’t discount Max Gawn, who has scored over 160 twice this year.

ADELAIDE v FREMANTLE

Rory Sloane averages 122 points in his past three against the Dockers. Eddie Betts turned around his form against the Hawks last week, can he do the same v Freo? He has scored 57, 45 and 40 in his past three. When these teams met last year we witnessed an extraordinary shootout between Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe — neither will be involved this time. Rory Laird scored 131 that night and scored 122 against the Dockers in 2013.

GWS GIANTS v HAWTHORN

Callan Ward top-scored with 131 the last time these teams met and scored 142 against the Hawks in 2014 — even if you don’t trade him into your SuperCoach team this week you can still pick him in Perfect 9. Can Paul Puopolo back up his 151 from last week? Sam Mitchell is a safer bet; he averages 116 against the Giants. Heath Shaw was back to his best last week with a 132 but he hasn’t broken 100 in his past three against Hawthorn.

RICHMOND v PORT ADELAIDE

Keep a close eye on Jack Riewoldt’s ankle. He is one of few Richmond players to show some good form this year — scoring 124 against the Demons last week. He was best on ground against Port last year and hasn’t scored fewer than 125 points against them since 2012. Speaking of players under injury clouds, Brett Deledio averages 139 in his past three against the Power. Robbie Gray was held to just 54 points last week but scored 119 last time against Richmond.

Jack Riewoldt knows how to beat Port Adelaide. Picture: Michael Klein

GEELONG v GOLD COAST

Is Gary Ablett 100 per cent fit? He has seemed a bit off the past two weeks but is still scoring OK and his history against Geelong is incredible — averaging 126 in four games since moving to the Suns, including a 160 last time. Joel Selwood top-scored in last year’s Geelong v Gold Coast game with 38 disposals and 154 points. Patrick Dangerfield is always an option — he averages 110 in his past three against Gold Coast.

BRISBANE LIONS v SYDNEY

Which Sydney mid do we pick this week? Dan Hannebery looks the pick of the bunch — he is averaging 118 points a game this season and hasn’t scored below 130 in his past three against Brisbane, hitting 148 in Round 15 last year. Teammate Josh Kennedy has a career average of 118 against the Lions but Luke Parker’s history isn’t great — scoring 77, 102 and 92 in his past three against them. If you want to back a Lion, Pearce Hanley scored 130 against the Swans last year and Dayne Zorko posted 124 — he hasn’t scored below 102 this year.

CARLTON v ESSENDON

Can David Zaharakis bounce back from his first poor game of the season? He still averages 115. Last year’s scores aren’t much help — the top scorers were Jobe Watson, Cale Hooker, Ben Howlett and Michael Hurley. Marc Murphy scored 109 for the Blues and scored 101 last week. Bryce Gibbs is coming off a 121 but he hasn’t scored more than 89 in his past three against the Bombers.

WEST COAST v COLLINGWOOD

If the Eagles are playing in Perth, look no further than Matt Priddis. He has scored 159 and 117 in his two Subiaco games this year and scored 155 the last time he played there against Collingwood. That was two years ago — these teams last met at Etihad Stadium last year when Jamie Cripps and Andrew Gaff topped the scoresheet. Steele Sidebottom scored 117 that day, has an average of 126 in his past three against West Coast and scored 166 last week. Sounds like a good option to us.

Originally published as SuperCoach Perfect 9: Who will top-score in AFL Round 6?