Dane Swan

2010 avg: 124.0

Avg last five games: 130.6

Last five vs. Ess: 105.4

Never doubt the Great Dane. A ripping 127 last week against the Cats shows, once again, that he is a big game player too. His rich vein of form continues and it’d be impossible to go against him at this stage. His form line is too good to ignore. The only downer you could put on it is that Essendon (he was tagged by Hocking) kept him to his lowest score of the season on ANZAC Day with an 83. It must be said that Essendon is one of the teams that restricts his DT scoring a bit, but I think that’s getting a bit too technical. He’ll chop.

Gary Ablett

2010 avg: 118.6

Avg last five games: 110.2

Last five vs. WB: 113.2

GAJ is still going along just fine, and if you’ve got him you’d have to be considering him every week (unless you have Swan locked). Picken tagged him a couple of times last year, but it didn’t stop him from scoring big. You’d still be expecting a 110 from him this week and there’s always the scope for him to go on with that. The Bulldogs don’t seem to mind Ablett getting his customary handball receives behind centre. There’s actually not a whole heap that screams Ablett to me this week, however he’d be at least a safe option.

Paul Chapman

2010 avg: 114.7

Avg last five games: 104.4

Last five vs. WB: 83.4

I’m mainly writing about Chappy to clear up his recent record against the Dogs. In two of the games last year (a 75 and a 47) he got an in game injury and was mothballed early. It makes it look like the Dogs have his number, but he’s actually always quite dangerous against the red, white and blue. His recent form hasn’t exactly been scintillating either, but he’s only scored below 100 twice this year. I’d be considering him roughly a top five pick for captains this week, but I’m starting to wonder if his body is getting a bit tired. Did you know that last week was the first time he’s played a Round 19 game since 2006? He also hasn’t played a Round 20 game since 2007.

Brendon Goddard

2010 avg: 112.1

Avg last five games: 110.8

Last five vs. NM: 96.8

Last year I made Goddard captain against the Kangaroos and he burnt me with an appalling 46. There was no injury either, he just played like a mongrel. One mark and only eight kicks. I’m still haunted by that game. It ruined an excellent captain picking season last year too. That one does seem to be an anomaly though, because since that day he’s scored 112 and 137 against the Roos. His recent form is great and he broke through for a good score against Port who, as I mentioned last week, generally keep him quiet. I also only just noticed his first name is spelled Brendon. I’ve been spelling it Brendan all along. “I’ve been calling her Krandle! Why didn’t somebody tell me?!”

Nick Riewoldt

2010 avg: 89.6

Avg last five games: 88.4

Last five vs. NM: 118.8

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Nick Riewoldt of the Saints looks on during a St Kilda Saints AFL training session at Linen House Oval on August 2, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Is he officially back? Can we go there? Do we dare go there? I was one who actually named Riewoldt captain the night he did his hammy on 20 points. It was actually on the back of his amazing first two games of the season, including a 147 against the Roos in Round 2. Five games back from this injury and he’s starting to look like the Riewoldt we know and love (from a DT perspective anyway). He got his first ton post injury against Port on the weekend and with his killer form against the Roos you’d have to have a sneaky look at him. Because he can’t 100% be declared back in town yet, I’m calling him my smokey for the week.

Other notes

  • Pendlebury’s highest career score is a 150 against Essendon on ANZAC Day 2008, but apart from that he’s never really dominated the Bombers.
  • Nothing wrong with Montagna or Goodes this week. They’re both great options, but I’m just a little bit over writing about the same guys every week. Goodes has three straight tons against the Dockers and it’s late in the year, so you’d expect him to dominate. Montagna also has three straight tons against the Roos and four in his last five against them.
  • Lenny doesn’t really do it for me this week, but I haven’t given him recognition in one of these articles yet, so just a general shout out to one of my favourites.
  • Bartel’s recent form and his scoring history against the Dogs is very yo-yo like. Too hard to trust him with such an inconsistent form line. Still reckon that elbow is bothering him too. Why is he always wearing long sleeves now? Not that I’m complaining. The hoops on the Geelong L/S Guernsey make it look very retro. He should go all out and customise it to lace up and maybe get some mo growing tips from Pendles.
  • Boyd generally struggles against Geelong – only one ton against them.
  • Hodge has only scored 57 and 60 over the past fortnight. His form line against Melbourne is impossible to read. He scored 142 against them in Round 1 this year, but before that he hadn’t played them since 2007, when he only scored a 65. Safer options you’d say, even if he is every chance of coming out and blitzing.