1. Brendan GODDARD St Kilda
Not quite sure why I’m recommending GODDARD, given the way he has been playing, but this week he has a couple of things on his side. Firstly, it’s his 200th match and a game the Saints should win comfortably. Secondly, he averages 136 against the Bulldogs, including scores of 102 in 2012, 143 in 2011 and 98 in 2010. Let’s not forget he averages 118 at Etihad too. Does all that add up to a decent game from GODDARD – finally?
2. Joel SELWOOD Geelong
Cats captain Joel SELWOOD had his quietest game for the year last weekend, the first time he has scored under 100 for the season. Expect him to bounce back well against the Crows, who he averages 120 against, including recent scores of 114 in 2012, 87 in 2011 and 144 in 2010. SELWOOD is also back at Simmonds Stadium, a ground where he amazingly averages 132 pts per game played there. WOW. With a season average of 120, Joel could be your man this week.
3. Tom ROCKLIFF Brisbane
Almost given the nod as “Trade of the Week” this week, ROCKY takes on the Eagles in the West this round – a daunting task but one made a little bit easier by his average of 111 against the WCE. Poor scores of 88 in 2012 and 66 in 2010 don’t inspire much confidence, but sandwiched in between those two doozies is a belter – 179 in 2011! That’s right, 179 pts folks. How does that grab ya?
Of course, we can’t go without mentioning that the Pies take on GWS this weekend, in what should be an absolute slaughter despite the Pies resting a few big names. Obvious captain choices include SWAN (Could he get 60 possessions?) and PENDLES, with BEAMES also a prime candidate. Hard to go past them, one would think.