Dream Team Couch – 2008 AFL Dream Team Blog

It’s semi final time in Dream Team and now the biggest descions of the year come in to play. Trades are at minumum, injuries are flowing faster than an old man’s digestive system, players are coming into form and going out of form, suspensions are hitting hard as are omissions and players taking rests. Coaches are pulling their hair out and going ape-sh*t with this information overload squashing their innocent minds. They need someone to save the day and grab that place in the wonderous Grand Final. Last week 50% of the avid viewers of Couch Capitanos were left in the cold as they had no answers and went into the weekend without a clue, without a purpose. A demoralising loss followed, and losing coaches cried in anger and sadness ‘WHY? WHY WASN’T COUCH CAPITANOS RELEASED?’ Well i can safely say that the technical difficulties are over and Couch Capitanos is here to SAVE YOUR DREAM TEAM!!!

Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Suprisingly this game actually sucks for captain choices. The Bulldogs are just so untrustworthy at the moment and really no-one is safe bet. Robert Murphy and Daniel Cross are probably the best Bulldogs out there but there a lot of better captains out there than these guys so look else where.

I do like Brent Stanton however. Scored 121 and 106 before that against the Dogs and won’t get tagged out of it. His form last week was good too, scoring 113 with a Shirley tag so should be able to get the job done here. Risk Factor = 25% – can be inconsistent at times but is a gun and can score big

Richmond vs Fremantle

A lot of nice captain choices here. Matthew Pavlich should be able to get the job done fairly easily, as he is just a superstar. He managed 97 last time against the Tigers, in a game where there was barely any ball to be had in the Freo forward line, so now that Freo are playing some better footy Pav will score be guaranteed to get some ball and score well. Risk Factor = 20% – should be able to score well but probably won’t set the world on fire.

RICHO, RICHOMAN, I WANNA BE A RICHOMAN…..yes it is true i do indeed want to be a Richoman. Last week Matthew Richardson wasn’t just good – he was superb. 154 points against the team sitting second on the ladder last week was just a champion effort and this week i am expecting a similar output. If he can keep the form of last week Richo can blow his score out of the water. Fremantle has no logical matchup for him and this last time equated to a solid 141points, with 15 marks and 4.3. Risk Factor = 10% – barring injury, Richo is in for a BIG afternoon.

Port Adelaide vs Melbourne

Yeah not brilliant here. Kane Cornes is a good option, scored 102 last time and should be a solid option as always. Also is known as one of the strongest finishers to a season so don’t be suprised if Kane decides to up the anti in the last few rounds. Will be a good option here but probably won’t completely dominate so look elsewhere i say. Risk Factor = 20% – should get to 100 fairly easy but don’t expect much else.

Cameron Bruce is a another option, especially after a great match last week. However, this week i’d say no as he has bad history against Port and this could continue especially if Kane Cornes decides to give him some close attention.

Brisbane Lions vs Carlton

Marc Murphy is playing very solidly at the moment and now is up against his favourite team. His best score of the year, a whopping 142, occured last time in what was just a joyful game in a DT sense with players getting possesions all over the place. Looks to be in good form with 105, 88, 96 and 95 in his last four and could score big on Saturday Night. Risk Factor = 20% – can be a little inconsistent at times but is in some solid form and the stage is set for a biggy.

Jonathan Brown revived his season in this game last time, kicking 6.3 and scoring 101. Despite his injury cloud, Browny is a great option as he is just too strong for anyone in Carlton to match up on. In fact, Carlton is Browny’s favourite side – he just tears it up against them with the last three scores of 136, 155 and 101. Risk Factor = 15% – he is under an injury cloud but he turns Carlton into crying little girls – tears it up a phomenal rate and expect this to continue

Collingwood vs Sydney

Urgh! What is this filth? No-one here at all apart from Brett Kirk who scored 130 odd last time and could be pretty sure of scoring well. However, Captain Kirk doesn’t often score big and he plays for the Swans and well,….there’s a lot of better options out there. Dane Swan is another name i hear you ask but again my answer is a defiant NO. He gets the hard Kirk tag and ends up being well down on his normal form.

Geelong vs Kangaroos

Gary Ablett Jnr makes this post pointless. Just do yourself a favour and give him the big C. Scored 148 last time and 133 before that. He loves playing Roos and that should be enough at just that. Risk Factor = 5% – expect another BIG BOG from Gablett.

Jimmy Bartel and Joel Corey are popular choices but look else where this week. Corey would come and go last time they played and as i have said with many before, he’ll score well enough but there are better out there. Bartel will cop the Brady Rawlings tag and though he may score 100 again, don’t expect that 120-150. 

St Kilda vs Adelaide

Good solid options here would be Lenny Hayes and Scott Thompson – both are in good form at the moment and both have a good history against their opponent. Well capable of taking the game by the scruff of the neck and dominating and will continue this trend without too much difficulty. Risk Factor = 15% – nothing risky here as both will score well and get that job done.

RIEWOLDT!!!!! Nick Riewoldt was back to some sensational form last week and similarly to Richo, i expect a biggy here. Scored a collossal 138 last time they met and ran riot all day long, taking mark after mark and kicking plenty of goals. Plus the added bonus of Riewoldt is that as the season gets longer Nick’s scores began to get bigger. Is renowned in the land of DT as a slow starter to the season and a brilliant finisher and i would very happy giving this guy captaincy come finals time. Risk Factor = 10% – Adelaide just don’t have anyone who can go with him which equates to high potential for massive points.

West Coast vs Hawthorn

Last time these two met there was goals and disposals flying left right and center. Matt Priddis got 45 touches and 135 points but might get a bit more attention this time around plus he isn’t really the captain material many coaches banked on. Same can be said with Sam Mitchell – we all know my views – yes he’s a gun and gets soooo much ball but he isn’t capatin material as he’ll get 100 but not much else.

No no the real beauty here is Dean Cox. The Hawks have the plucky tireless work horse in Robert Campbell and unfortunately for poor old ‘Robbo’ he gets his pants pulled down by the big cocks….i mean Cox. Scored 124 last time and just made the ruck his own – once again he looks like being the only dominate West Coast in whats sure to be a onesided affair. Risk Factor = 15% – that foot always troubles me but thankfully it has no baring on the legend Big Coxy!

Now it just wouldn’t be Couch Capitanos with mentioning one man. Buddy Franklin kicked 5.2 last time against the West Coast but it only equated to 78 points. The thing is, yes it is a big risk but Buddy should dominate – the West Coast have a backline which isn’t stopping the ball coming in, plus he’ll have a dominating Hawks midfield which will give him plenty of supply. Risk Factor = 45% – Every way i look at it, it just looks sweet but history is against him – but didn’t that Nike Socceroos ad say Stuff History?

Pom’s Top Five

1. Gary Ablett Jnr
2. Matthew Richardson
3. Nick Riewoldt
4. Jonathon Brown
5. Dean Cox

Pom’s X Factor of the Round

Buddy Franklin