Okay, let’s examine how we went in round 6 with our left-field captains. First choice was Priddis, with his lowest score for the year – 89. Nice start! Big Podsiadly chimed in with a respectable 116, while our lowest choice was a disappointing Lenny Hayes, with 87. Maybe this week we can reverse the trends and come up with a few captains who actually score 120 plus! Fingers crossed.
1. Drew PETRIE (Nth Melbourne)
Our first cab off the rank this week is Kanga big man Drew PETRIE. Not exactly setting the world on fire in SC terms in 2012, PETRIE is averaging 84 this year but comes up against his favourite opponent this week in the Bulldogs. His average against them is 130, with previous scores of 157 in 2011, and 91 and 111 in 2009. That 157 last year was at Etihad too, where he returns this week. Could lightning strike twice?
2. Ryan O’KEEFE (Sydney)
In the wake of the injury to Adam GOODES, Swan forward O’KEEFE suddenly takes on a lot more responsibility in the forward line for the Bloods. This week he’s up against the Tigers, against whom he has a tidy average of 125. Despite only averaging 71 pts per game this year, O’KEEFE has scores of 130, 113 and 112 in the last 3 matches against Richmond. Is that enough to risk putting the big ‘C’ on him for round 7?
3. Cyril RIOLI (Hawthorn)
Little Cyril was at his scintillating best last weekend against the Saints, smashing out 6 goals and scoring 139 SC points, well up on his average of 95 this season. This week he takes on the Demons, a favourable opponent he averages 113 against. In 2011 he scored 142 and 108 against Melbourne, so his recent form against them has been pretty good. Friday night, the big stage – could Cyril be your man this week?
A bit of a dilemma this week, with Gold Coast playing GWS. Even if Gazza plays, will he be eased back in against the Giants? Others to look at include David SWALLOW or, on the back of last week’s awesome performance, the excitement-machine that is Harley BENNELL.