I am so happy the byes are finished. As we return to regular programming, most people will be looking at having full premium teams. This means that picking the right Captain options becomes even more vital to climb the rankings.
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This week it is especially important to note what time games start, as four of the best Captain options play at the same time.
Vice Captains
1. Josh Dunkley
Josh is in elite form with a five-round average of 141. Six of his last seven games have been Captainable scores (120+), and this week he plays the first game of the round for an easy VC. Richmond is right in the middle of the pack for allowing points to opposition midfielders, but Dunkley is in such good form that I think he can set your weekend up well with a big score here. 103, 134 and 116 in their last three matchups.
2. Jordan Dawson
Jordan averages 122 against the Kangaroos over his career (5 games), including 145 and 134 in their last two matchups. He also returns to the Adelaide Oval, where he is averaging 125 this year. Couple these statistics with the fact that North Melbourne gives up the equal-second most points to opposition midfielders and I think this will be another huge score. This would be my favourite VC option if he didn’t play at the same time as my two favourite Captain options.
3. Lachie Neale
Lachie is in great form, averaging 122 in his last five games. The big boost for Neale here is his scoring at the Gabba (118 average) versus away from the Gabba (108 average). He has scores of 110, 107, 149, 190, 123, 129 and 148 in his last seven matchups against the Tigers. This wouldn’t be the game to straight Captain Neale, but with the Lions playing the first game of the round he is a nice VC shot.
Captains
1. Marcus Bontempelli
Marcus is in incredible form, leading the league in SuperCoach points this season. He now plays against Fremantle, who give up the equal-second most points to midfielders this season. And he plays them at Marvel Stadium, where he just reeled off a 169 against the Kangaroos. The Bont’s last three matches against the Dockers have led to scores of 182, 100 and 149. Just take note of the game start times and your other VC/C options.
2. Rory Laird
Rory has the third-highest five-round average in the league, at 131 points per game. Much like Dawson, Laird enjoys playing at Adelaide Oval, where he is averaging 120 this season. He should thrive playing against one of the easiest matchups at his home ground. Some recent premium midfielders to play North Melbourne; Bontempelli (169), Trelor (142), Merrett (137), De Goey (156), Warner (137) and Parker (136).
3. Nick Daicos
Nick has only played the Gold Coast at Heritage Bank Stadium once, for a 143. He is in great form, scoring a 132 despite a loose tag from Ben Keays. This week he should dominate a team that won’t tag him, and who just gave up some huge scores to the Hawthorn defenders; Day (141), Scrimshaw (127), Hardwick (120) and Impey (101).
4. Rowan Marshall
Rowan has scored between 90 and 100 in three of his last four weeks. But I think this is the week he bucks that trend and gives his owners another huge score. Marshall has been a dominant force this year when he has an easy ruck battle, as a lot of his points come from Hit Outs to Advantage. He has scored 129, 159, 126 and 119 against teams that win a low % of Hit Outs (Bulldogs, Port, GWS and Sydney respectively). This week he plays against the worst Hit Out Win % team in the entire league, and he should have a field day.
5. Tom Liberatore
Tom has a three round average of 125 and has turned into one of the premier midfielders in the competition. As I have stated for The Bont, this week Libba will play against an easy midfield matchup at a fantasy friendly venue. Libba averages 121 at Marvel this season and he scored a 140 against Fremantle in their Round 6 meeting.
Read Wednesday’s news, including Thursday teams
POD Captain?
1. Jack Sinclair
Jack has been great in his last five games, with three amazing scores and two average scores. This week he plays against West Coast, who are the easiest SuperCoach matchup in the entire league. Gulden (164), Heeney (150), Rowbottom (150), Warner (135) and Parker (134) all feasted on the Eagles last week. Sinclair has a three-round average of 120 and I expect him to be the major beneficiary of the Eagles’ struggles this week. This could be a big one.
My moves
I scored 2,028 last week which had me hovering inside the top 1k, at rank 712th for the season.
Last week I chose Dunkley as Vice-Captain (122) into a Merrett Captain (126). I took Dunkley’s score as Captain.
This week I will have the Vice-Captain on Dunkley followed by Bontempelli as my Captain.
