The bye rounds have arrived and this opens up plenty of VC options with so many loop payers available. I have a couple of different options this week that I like. Lets hope we can hit some good scores!
ROUND 12 VICE CAPTAINS
Nick Daicos
Nick seems to have found himself settled in the midfield after a small unsettling period where he was moved to halfback on occasions. Taking Jordan Ridley out of it, Nick has the highest 3 round average 127.3 of all defenders and the second highest 5 round average of 132 SuperCoach points. Last time they met in Round 17 2023, he had 29 disposals, 6 tackles and 2 goals for 139 SuperCoach points. It’s hard to argue with his form at the moment and seems a very safe pick.
Marcus Bontempelli
The Dogs got hit with some injuries last week which forced Bont forward for a bit but I expect the likes of Lobb to return so he can go back to normal duties. He looked to be covering the ground well and ended up scoring his 5th 135+ point game for the season. One thing that is really becoming dangerous in Bont’s game is hitting the scoreboard he has kicked 14 goals this year. Collingwood is actually his worst career average versus an opponent which isn’t ideal. In his last two games against the Pies he has scored 123 and 125 SuperCoach points. With Collingwood being undermanned across the whole field I’d imagine he takes advantage of this!
Tom Stewart
Tom Stewart went bang in the last quarter against the Giants and shows how much a close game can influence the scoring of a player. This is a great match up for Tom as Richmond don’t have any threatening key forwards so he will play his intercepting role more freely. We saw what an intercepting defender can do against the Tigers last week with Ridley reading it so well and taking advantage of Richmond dump kicking in the forward line. Tom has his second best career average against Tigers and 122.5 average over his last 5 Versus Richmond with a score including a massive 161. On top of this, it’s at home which is his 4th favourite venue. He is a cheap option at the moment and a great VC pick.
ROUND 12 CAPTAINS
Luke Ryan
With Dees averaging 12.5 behinds over the last month of footy and Luke Ryan taking a huge percentage of kick-ins, I see him benefiting from this. He scored 10 kick ins last week from Collingwood’s inaccuracy. Melbourne have been conceding a lot of possessions lately to half backs. Last week Mason Wood and N.W.M combining for 57 disposals and the week before Hough and McGovern paired up for 48 disposals. Fremantle just play into Luke Ryans hands with him taking kick ins and then looking for the switch of play or cheap handball. Sometimes Ryan can have 3 disposals and 2 marks before it even leaves the defensive 50. As an owner it is so beautiful to watch!
Max Gawn
Last week went from total panic to total bliss all in a two hour period. We thought he was going to be a late out and then came out and produced his biggest score of the year with 180 SuperCoach points. He does have the double team of Darcy and Jackson but Sean Darcy is clearly underdone and been struggling this year with multiple injuries. He only managed 72% TOG compared to Gawn who was supposedly carrying a calf in a dominant win and still played 82% TOG. You just can’t ignore his form with a 5 round average of 134.6, always a safe pick.
Zach Merrett
This man just has a will to win at the moment. He is the 6th highest scoring mid on average for the whole season. He is yet to have a huge ceiling game this season but seems to be consistently scoring in or near the captain zone of 120 SuperCoach points. His last 4 games against the Suns he has an average of 123.5. Essendon have been playing in a lot of close games lately and Zac has been doing his best to drag them across the line. On the weekend he had 9 at 78% and kicked the sealer for the Bombers which caused some nice scaling points for his owners. I am expecting a close contested game this weekend against the Suns and he is more than likely wearing the captains arm band for Yeah Na Cheers.
ROUND 12 POD VICE CAPTAIN
Rory Laird
I am keen on trading Laird in at this price and I may do this week. His last 4 matches against the Hawks he has gone 126, 125, 111 and 178. I think a lot of people were scared off buying by the rumours of his CBAs going down earlier in the year. He is only 6% owned and if I do trade him in it will be a tough call between Daicos and Laird for VC.
Casey’s Captain Confidence Rating:
Vice Captains:
- Nick Daicos/Rory Laird
- Tom Stewart
- Marcus Bontempelli
Captains:
- Zach Merrett
- Luke Ryan
- Max Gawn
