Another disappointing effort last weekend, despite the fact that we predicted Gazza would have a quiet one. Deledio was our best with 117pts, with Hartlett and Mitchell both bringing in poor efforts of 91pts each. Onto this week, and with the Suns playing Collingwood, many are talking down Gazzas chances of a big score again – perhaps Pendles is the pick of the big names? As far as left-field selections go, let’s have a look at our three picks for this week.
Despite only averaging 88 pts a week in a Freo side that has almost completely forgotten how to play the game, BARLOW looks like he might turn things around this week against the Crows. On the back of a 90 point game last weekend, BARLOW comes up against Adelaide – a team he averages 151 points against! That’s right folks, in 2011 the Dockers took on the Crows twice, and in both games he accumulated the awesome total of 151 fantasy points. To top it off, his average at Patersons Stadium is 103 – are those figures enough to get him to captain your side?
2. Leigh MONTAGNA St Kilda
Many jumped off MONTY after a disappointing 2011, however this year he is averaging 94 pts a game and came in with a nice 115 last weekend. This week the Saints tackle Richmond at Etihad – a stadium that MONTAGNA loves, averaging a tidy 110 pts per game during his career. To make things even more appealing, his last three scores against the Tigers look like this – 100 in 2011, and 143 and 172 in 2010. WOW! Taking second-billing behind Dal Santo and Hayes, perhaps Monty’s average of 125 against the Tigers is enough to sway you?
3. Tom ROCKLIFF Brisbane
Powerhouse midfielder ROCKLIFF has been prolific again in 2012, coming in with a nice average of 11 pts per game. Last week he only managed 87, however this weekend he comes up against the Eagles. Looking at the raw numbers, his score in 2010 against them was a paltry 66. Poor, huh? So why have him here? Well, in 2011 he belted out a massive 179 pts against West Coast, leaving him with an average of 122 pts per game against the Coasters. Can lightning strike twice????
Naturally, we also need to consider those guys playing against GWS and Gold Coast – and it’s the two Grand Finals teams from last year, so expect some big scores. Premier candidates would be Selwood, Johnson, Chapman, Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Beames…and Cloke? Geez, you’d have balls of steel to make him captain after last week’s 26 pt debacle! Also Watson and Stanton against the Bombers would be prime targets in the captain stakes.