I have not experienced a round like this in 2024. So many VC/C options, I wanted to include more but the line has to be drawn somewhere.
ROUND 17 VICE CAPTAINS
Nick Daicos
This guy tried to lift Collingwood over the line last week in the last quarter where he had 10 disposals and kicked 1 goal finishing on 116 SuperCoach points after a very slow start. This kid is a big game player and with DeGoey finally being back, it supports him through the midfield a little more. The last two times they have played he has scored 128 and 145 SuperCoach points. He will be a popular VC option this week amongst a plethora of options.
Zach Merrett
Last week was his worst score for the year but only the 3rd time he has gone sub 100 in 2024. Zac has a solid recent record against Collingwood scoring 127, 123, 133, 116 and 120 in his last 5 games against them. Collingwood have been giving up decent points to opposition midfielders with Anderson scoring 140, Millar 121, LDU 147, Wardlaw 122 and Sheezel 120 in their two most recent games. Very solid option.
Marcus Bontempelli
The Bont loves AO and it’s his second favourite venue where he averages 125.7 over 11 games. The last two times they met he scored 145 and 125. I’m running out of positive things to say about this guy. You get the drill.
Tristan Xerri
This was a late inclusion to the write up with Jarrod Witts being announced injured while I was writing the article. I picked up this guy a month ago and he has gone 131, 103, 111 and 141. Assuming he gets the match up of Ned Moyle which I believe he will be too strong for. He is averaging 8 tackles a game and also hitting the scoreboard with 3 goals in recent weeks. English scored 138 and Marshall 117 when matched up against Moyle earlier in the season. This is a player I’ll be very tempted to VC.
ROUND 17 CAPTAINS
Sam Walsh
Sammy looks like his body is really holding up well and his scoring has been reflecting that lately. He had huge stats last week which included 2 goals and 10 tackles. Last time he played the Giants at this venue he scored 148 and earlier this season he scored 130 SuperCoach points against the Giants.
Luke Ryan
Hasn’t been up to his usual best of late but when you have a defender that scores well and is playing Richmond you just have to consider him. Richmond have conceded the most points to opposition defenders of any team in 2024. Need I remind everyone of his 197 earlier this season. Some recent defender scores against Richmond have been Newman 156, Sicily 147, Holmes 133 and Ridley 162. It’s the style Richmond play so for me he has to be pick of the round!
Caleb Serong
You just have to target matchups when picking captain options and Tigers are the team to target. I mentioned above that Richmond concede most points to opposition defenders, well they also concede the most too opposition midfielders out of any team in the competition. Earlier in the season Serong score 137 SuperCoach points and last week Walsh scored 148 alongside his captain Cripps smashing out a 144. No more words needed here.
Max Gawn
Another top pick this round with Flynn going down with an injury last week. Earlier in the season we expected more than 109 from Gawn when he played the Eagles and his recent numbers are not great against them either but sometimes you just have to go with your gut. Solid option.
Josh Dunkley
After he rewarded me with with 143 as VC last week, I have to include him again. He plays the Crows this week where two out of his last four scores have been 146 and 142. The last two weeks he has had a total over 64 disposals, 31 contested and 17 tackles scoring 144 and 143 SuperCoach points. It’s some red hot form!
Sam Flanders
At quarter time last week Flanders was on track for for 240 when he finished the the first quarter on 60 points. With his new midfield role (27 CBAs) he has been taken off kick-in duties but boy he can find the footy. He had 13 disposals and kicked 1 goal and a point in the first quarter. He has amassed 66 disposals in the last two weeks and amongst so many options this week he could be your man.
ROUND 17 POD CAPTAIN
Patrick Cripps
Coming off an absolute dominate display last week against Richmond where he had 40 disposals, 17 contested at 80%, 4 tackles, a goal and 144 SuperCoach points. Strangely the previous week he had 40 disposals and didn’t take a mark! Last time they met he scored 142 and he just seems like a captain on a mission and in red hot form!
CASEY’S CAPTAIN CONFIDENCE RATING:
Vice Captains:
- Tristan Xerri
- Zach Merrett
- Marcus Bontempelli
Captains:
- Luke Ryan
- Max Gawn
- Caleb Serong
