Last week was an interesting week for SuperCoach Captains but hopefully you nailed the number one VC a C picks of Gulden and Neale. Let’s ride this wave of form into Zach Merrett this Friday night.
ROUND 19 VICE CAPTAINS
Zach Merrett
Overall last week was a little disappointing for captain choices unless you nailed Neale or Gulden. I was expecting Merrett to go better than what he did… On the surface level Zach’s history against Adelaide looks quite average but that’s due to some really low scores years ago. He has a 5 round average of 128.6 including a 143 and 136 at Marvel in recent years. For me he will get the VC armband this week!
Rowan Marshall
Eagles are the easiest match up for opposition rucks this season. Although Marshall has been slightly down the last month on scoring output, I think he bounces back this week. In recent weeks the opposition ruck when playing West Coast was ranked 2nd , 5th (subbed 64% TOG), 7th, 1st and 1st, 2nd and 2nd on the ground. I could keep going but I think you get the picture. Although his history isn’t great against the Eagles. The numbers that rucks are posting against them this season is too hard to refuse.
ROUND 19 CAPTAINS
Marcus Bontempelli
The Doggies had a great win on the weekend with Bontempelli showing no signs of a sore back laying 9 tackles and attending a game high 28 CBA’s. The Bont enjoys playing Geelong with 4 out of his last 9 games posting scores 140+. His 3 round average against them is 133.33 with the last time they played at this venue he scores 146 SuperCoach points. Earlier this year some premium inside mids have scored decent at GMHBA stadium such as Butters 143 and Steele 119. With a career average of 110.6 over 15 games, Bont once again has to be considered.
Zak Butters
If my VC fails this week it’s going to be this guy getting the captain armband. I have watched Butters quite closely lately and he is just trying so hard to lift his team. He is an absolute animal inside the contest. In the last 2 first halves of footy he has played he has had 43 disposals, 2 tackles an a goal. Butters has a 3 round average of 131, Richmond are his second best career average including 175 earlier in the season and top of this Richmond are the easiest team for opposition midfielders to score against this season. Im calling it, this is the best captain choice of the season!
Luke Ryan
I actually originally had Serong penciled in for this game but after last week and seeing Essendon’s half backs in the wet just rack up points, it has swayed me towards Ryan. I know he has been out of form but Melbourne are the 4th easiest for opposition defenders and some recent defenders have scored really well including the 1st and 2nd ranked players for Essendon being Martin 142, Ridley 127, Duggan was the highest ranked Eagle with 100, Zorko 2nd ranked Lion with 115. If you are looking for a Sunday captain in a head to head match up, I just have a feeling,.
Sam Walsh
I’m feeling some really solid scores from Carlton midfielders this week. Sammy Walsh has been a little bit of a tease this season scoring 140+ one week then low 100s the next… One thing I have noticed with doing write ups this season is that match ups really matter. Kangaroos are the 3rd easiest match up for opposition midfielders and in recent weeks have given up 142 to Gulden, 130 to Warner and 157 to Bont. It definitely has an element of risk but with his running power and ability to tackle and hit the scoreboard. Why not?
Patrick Cripps
What a player this guy is!? 200 games and might just be heading towards his second Brownlow medal. He has surprisingly low ownership but if you have picked him in recent weeks, you have been rewarded as he has the second highest 3 round average of any player in the competition. He has a 3 round average of 117.3 against North Melbourne. I mentioned above how much North have been leaking points so if I owned, I would highly consider him.
ROUND 19 POD CAPTAIN
Toby Nankervis
Well… a few years ago if you had of said Grundy would be at Sydney, Goldy at Essendon, Jackson Fremantle, Meek Hawthorn, TDK has the highest 5 round average of any ruck at 137 SuperCoach points and Gawn being traded out by 37,000 players in Round 18, I’d probably call you crazy. It’s been a wild ruck ride. Take this pick with a grain of salt but he is playing Port who are more confused about who their number one ruck is than I am about this paragraph I have just written. I like him a lot!
Vice Captains:
- Zach Merrett
- Rowan Marshall
- Marcus Bontempelli
Captains:
- Zac Butters
- Toby Nankervis
- Patrick Cripps
