Last week was a success with Big Maxy going large and then most of our captain picks scoring well. This week’s VCs may seem a little left field but it’s the time of the year where you can separate yourself from the pack.

I do really like some captain options this week so let’s keep it rolling!

ROUND 8 VICE CAPTAINS

Jordan Dawson

Well, well, well here we are… a few weeks ago he was trending on ‘X’ for all the wrong reasons and now all of a sudden he is hot property! Over the last two weeks he seems to have a slight role change, he is above his season average in disposal efficiency, increased in most areas and hitting the scoreboard. Dawson, over the years just seems to be a big game player. He doesn’t have a huge ceiling against the Port but he has been rather consistent over his last three games scoring 119, 114 and 123. Port are actually the 5th hardest midfield to score against but in a Showdown you just never know what can happen. Over the last few Port have still leaked some decent scores to mids including 133 to Daicos and 140 Petracca. It’s Thursday night footy so why not chuck the VC on Dawson!

Sam Walsh

This was a late inclusion to the write up with the news of DeGoey and Mitchell both being out for the Pies. I think this leaves Collingwood a little inexperienced through the midfield and Walsh has the engine to exploit this. He has a strong career average of 116 SuperCoach points against Collingwood including 193 back in 2021. Could this be the game where he replicates this?! He is now my number one VC pick for the round.

Tom Green

After a couple of rough weeks and a few restless owners, Green bounced back with the ultimate payback scoring 159 SuperCoach points. This score included 37 disposals (17 contested) at 73%, 22 CBAs, 5 tackles and 1 goal. Over the last 2 years Green has loved the Swans match up scoring 118, 126 and 164 which is a 3 round average of 136. Might be worth a look.

P.O.D VICE CAPTAIN

Dan Houston

This week we have a P.O.D VC. Im tossing up between two trade options this week and one is with the goal of trading this man in next week. He is currently the 4th ranked defender, 3 round average of 123, last 2 scores have been 110 and 122 against Adelaide . Looking at his season averages over the last 4 years, he is just progressively scoring more on average each season. He seems to be sharing kick ins but still manages a high percentage each week. In a game I expect to be high scoring (hopefully plenty of points) and yet to score below 100 in 2024, why not try a VC, free hit?!

ROUND 8 CAPTAINS OPTIONS

Jack Steele

Alright, hear me out… This season I feel we have had so many premium players that have had a couple of rough scores, traded them out and then regretted after a huge bounce back score. Some that come to mind are Dawson, Grundy, Green, Young and Martin to name a few. Steele loves the match up with North being his highest career average of 116.3, with 3 of his last 4 games including scores of 160, 154 and 128. Steele had such a consistent start and has just gone 84 and 70. I believe this is his bounce back round with North Melbourne being the 2nd easiest midfield matchup in 2024, North have been seriously disappointing and I expect Steele to bounce back.

Harry Sheezel

This young gun has been so impressive and is currently the 2nd ranked defender for 2024. He loves the matchup against the Saints with them being his 3rd highest career average. Since round 3, Saints have given up huge points to defenders including 175, 139, 136 and 122 which has them sitting the easiest matchup for oppositions defenders to score. His 2024 consistency has me very tempted this week!

Zach Merrett

What a season this man is putting together. He is yet to score below 100, has 5 scores above 125, a career average of 112.3 against the Eagles and in 2023 scored 110 and 143. The Eagles this season have given up some massive scores to midfielders including in the last 4 weeks alone 117, 129, 129, 136, 149, 151 and 165. Although the Eagles have shown some fight in the last few weeks they are still the 4th easiest team for midfielders to score against. For me he has to go close to pick of the round.

Caleb Serong

Serong has a fantastic matchup here against the Tigers who are the easiest team this season to score against for opposition midfielders. Although he doesn’t have an amazing record against the Tigers, you just cant deny his form with a massive ceiling this season of 3 scores above 140 including a massive 170 in round 1 against the Lions. If I owned him, I think id be giving him the armband.

Marcus Bontempelli

I just can’t not include him this week even though he has been uncharacteristically up and down with his scoring in 2024. In saying that he still has 4 scores above 125 and has a lovely match up against the Hawks where he has a 6 game average of 127.1 SuperCoach points including a massive 161 in 2020. If you feel like a Sunday captain for some fun, then he could be your man!

CASEY’S CAPTAIN CONFIDENCE RATING:

Vice Captains:

1. Walsh
2. Green
3. Dawson

Captains:

1. Merrett
2. Serong
3. Sheezle