As for the top scorers of round 21, Travis Boak continued his career best season with a brilliant score of 172. He compiled 35 touches, nine marks, four tackles and three goals in a best on ground performance. Key forwards Drew Petrie (162) and Tory Dickson (151), while there is 14 centre metres separating them they both led their respective sides in attack to victory. Three top ten
picks in Joel Selwood (144), Brett Deledio (143) and Harley Bennell (137) also enjoyed productive matches.
Here are my captaincy selections for round 22.
Selwood is in rare form and consequently he has rocketed into Brownlow
contention. Since round 11 the Geelong skipper has topped 130 points in every
match bar two, disregarding his performance against Fremantle where he was shut
down by Ryan Crowley, the numbers do not lie. Averaging 29 touches, six tackles
and a sensational 139 SC points, Selwood has taken his scoring to the next level
off the back of his recent scoreboard impact, making him an ideal captain
selection.
Scott Pendlebury
The Pies will be looking to get back on the winners list and this man
will again be leading from the front. We all know what a consistent performer he
is and he has been a consistent feature in my selections this season. Once again
Collingwood play on the Friday night, last week I opted for Swan, this week it’s
Pendles. His record is superb against the Eagles in recent years; in their past
five encounters he boasts an average of 31 possessions and 139 SC
points.
Marc Murphy
As the Essendon drugs scandal heats up once again, this time the
Bombers on-field form has gone ice cold. Their form has been woeful while the
Blues looked to have regathered some of their best football last week against
the Tigers. 2013 hasn’t been Murphy’s finest year, but one thing has reigned
true throughout his career and that is strong performances against arch rival
Essendon. In their last five meetings, he has dominated, averaging 31 touches
and a whopping 144 SC points! Expect Murphy to once again feature heavily
against a mentally battered Bombers.
Patrick Dangerfield
Dangerfield had a very quiet game against the Dogs last week by his
lofty standards; expect him to return to his best form against the Dees. He has
such a powerful game, his highly contested ball winning ability coupled with his
capacity to kick multiple major’s making him a player to always consider. Given
the Crows play early on Saturday afternoon, Dangerfield could prove an
intelligent vice-captain selection and potentially a valuable
POD.
Nick Riewoldt
Riewoldt has once again churned out in characteristic fashion an
extremely consistent season. He has returned seven tons and a low score of 71 as
well as not being held goalless once thus far, while excluding his sub-affected
match against Geelong he has taken at least seven marks in every game. He has
also had fond memories against the ever-improving Suns, with a career average of
19 disposals, nine marks, 13 goals over three matches – equating to an
impressive average of 126 SC points.
Ablett watch
After all but securing the Brownlow medal in many experts’ eyes, Ablett
has thrown in three weeks of coach killers for all who have had him as captain.
Many will be jumping off the bandwagon, and rightfully so, but with that being
the case the other alternative of viewing the little masters poor form is he may
amazingly be a POD captain selection.