Twitter: @jamiedmurphy
Fixture (All times local)
Friday, April 13
Carlton v Collingwood (MCG) @ 7:50pm
Saturday, April 14
Richmond v Melbourne (MCG) @ 1:45pm
Port Adelaide v Sydney (AAMI) @ 1:40pm
Fremantle v Brisbane (Patterson) @ 2:40pm
Gold Coast v Essendon (Metricon) @ 7:40pm
Western Bulldogs v St Kilda (Etihad) @ 7:40pm
Sunday, April 15
GWS v West Coast (Blacktown) @ 1:10pm
Hawthorn v Adelaide (MCG) @ 3:15pm
North Melbourne v Geelong (Etihad) @ 4:40pm
Teams
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Key INs and OUTs
('*' denotes Sunday teams)
INs: Gray (PORT), Mumford (SYD), Mundy (FREM), Brown, Drummond, Longer (BRIS), Bock (GCS), Treloar*, Tomlinson*, (GWS), Stevens* (WCE), Shaw*, Kerridge* (ADE) & Ziebell* (KANG).
OUTs: Paine (COLL), Dickson (WBD) and Priddis (WCE).
Captain's Corner
1. Scott Pendlebury (MID) vs Carlton
2012 Ave: 147 (167 & 127)
Scores vs CARL: 94, 145 (2011); 115, 139 (2010), 150, 131 (2009)
In blistering form? Check. Loves playing Carlton at the MCG? Check. Built for SuperCoach success? Check.
After just two games, I'm prepared to go on record and state that Pendlebury is on the same level as Ablett when it comes to SuperCoach scoring, and should be considered as a potential captaincy option EVERY week. With his workrate at stoppages and contested possession efforts firmly entrenched in the 'elite' category, he almost guarantees himself a SC 100 each week. His only sub-100 score came against Carlton in this fixture last year, but he was able to back that up with a 145 during their second encounter.
2. Aaron Sandilands (RUCK) vs Brisbane
2012 Ave: 131 (113 & 149)
Scores vs BRIS: 137 & 44* (2011), 138 (2010) *injury effected score
A few of us (including myself) were scared off by Sandilands' interupted pre-season, but if you were brave enough to pick him as one of your starting rucks, your decision (so far) has been vindicated, with the big man notching up two tons against two top-eight opponents. If past history is anything to go by (scores of 137 & 138 in two of his three most recent outings vs Brisbane), Sandilands should continue his strong start to 2012.
3. Brendon Goddard (DEF/MID) vs Western Bulldogs
2012 Ave: 131.5 (116 & 147)
Scores vs WBD: 143 (2011), 98 (2010), 152 & 174 (2009)
Two games in and the St Kilda midfielder/rebounder looks to have continued where he left off in 2011. Racked up unconstested possessions with ease last week against the hapless Suns, which, combined with his elite disposal efficiency, will more often than not result in huge SC scores. Has an impecible record against the Dogs as well, averaging 142 SC points per game against them since the start of 2009. As a neutral fan, there's just something about the Saints at Etihad on a Saturday night that gets me excited about a big Goddard score.
In light of some of the scores opposition sides have been pumping out against the two new franchise teams in Gold Coast and GWS, nominating a skipper from Essendon or West Coast wouldn't be a bad idea either.
Essendon vs Gold Coast
Jobe Watson (ESS, MID) - Scored 122 against Gold Coast last year, and has already produced a 107 & 149 so far in season 2012. Lock in a big hundred.
Brent Stanton (ESS, MID) - Notched up 141 in the Bombers' demolition of the Suns last year, and is in red-hot form so far in 2012, notching up a 180 & 134 in his first two outings.
Gary Ablett (GCS, MID) - As good as he's been so far (139 & 143), Ablett doesn't have the best of records against the Dons of recent times; with a 95 (2011), 127 & 97 (2010). Still feel reasonably confident of a sizeable score from the Suns captain, but those sub-100 scores will have some people thinking.
West Coast vs GWS
Dean Cox (WCE, RUCK) - Scored 166 against the 2nd newest franchise in Gold Coast last year, so all signs point to another massive SC score this week. Hasn't been at his SuperCoach best so far (110 & 89), but could go big against Giles and Brogan this week.
Trade Centre
Hold or Trade?
Greg Broughton (DEF)
Price: $502,100
Scores: 57 & 72 --- Breakeven: 171
At $502,100 we all thought we were snaring a bargin with Broughton, given he's averaged 90+ in each of his three AFL seasons. Now two rounds in, his owners (myself included) aren't so sure. A second half lock-down role on Steve Johnson during Fremantle's round one clash effectively killed off any chance of a SC ton, while against the Swans, he seemed to drift in and out of the midfield, without being overly effective. The question is; do you keep him, or show him the door? If he maintains his average of 64, he'll drop around $50,000 after this round. However, if you keep him, and he fires, he could turn into a sneaky point of difference. I'll be using my trades to bring in Greene (Ledger) and Milera (Dickson/Pfeiffer) this week, but if I had a third, I'd probably opt to trade Broughton out for one of the following; Grant Birchall ($509,600), Courteney Dempsey ($273,800), Marty Clarke ($170,000) or Paul Bower ($157,200).
Dustin Martin (MID/FWD)
Price: $536,200
Scores: 89, 68 --- Breakeven: 163
Selected in nearly 40% of teams, Martin's start has certainly been disappointing, especially given his ripping pre-season. In his defence, the young Tiger midfielder has come up against two likely top four sides in Carlton and Collingwood, but I think many of his owners (again, myself included), still felt he was capable of starting off strongly. Plays Melbourne this week, so I'd be advising Martin owners to keep the faith and ride out the Tigers' opened half dozen rounds. If you have to trade him out however, Zaharakis ($494,100), N.Reiwoldt ($472,400), C.Cornes ($378,300) or Poplyzia ($229,600) are solid replacement options.
Rating the Rookies
A quick look at some of the guys priced under $200,000 who you simply have to have if you want to success in 2012. In other words, burn both trades to bring some of these guys in, if you don't already have them.
James Magner (MELB, MID)
Price: $94,700 --- Ave: 96
Expected Price Rise: +$101,000
Toby Greene (GWS, MID)
Price: $146,600 --- Ave: 83
Expected Price Rise: +$70,100
Adam Kennedy (GWS, MID/FWD)
Price: $113,200 --- Ave: 85.5
Expected Price Rise: +$82,000
Terry Milera (STK, FWD)
Price: $124,700 --- Ave: 86
Expected Price Rise: +$79,000
Video of the Week
[YOUTUBE]b-RjYBJx6ys[/YOUTUBE]
As usual, any feedback either via a reply in this thread or Twitter, is greatly appreciated (@jamiedmurphy).
love the pic of magner by the way. huge grin on his face being tackled, loves the hard stuff! 
