It’s the serious business end of the season! We nailed Xerri last week and I think he is a great shout again this week! Let’s keep the momentum rolling!
Errol Gulden
Last week I mentioned that one of the Swans midfielders had to go large for them to win. I chose the wrong one out of the big three. He was tagged out of the game by Sidebottom meanwhile Warner went 164 and Heeney went 144 SuperCoach points. Errol had his second lowest CBAs for the year only attending 18% against the Pies but I am feeling a bounce back game against Essendon. He really enjoys this matchup, earlier in the year he scored 149 SuperCoach points. Last time they met at Marvel Stadium he 152 SuperCoach points where he amassed 37 disposals at 86.5%, 9 inside 50s, 6 tackles, a goal and a massive 725 meters gained. I will be tempted by Gulden on Friday night.
Chad Warner
Now as an Essendon supporter this guy scares me… Essendon are his favourite team to play in forms of numbers. He has a career average of 115.6 over 5 games which includes 155 SuperCoach points back in 2022. On top of this he has had some great scores at Marvel playing 4 games over 2023 and 2024 with an average of 125.25. Goal kicking midfielders are gold in this game and he has kicked 31 this season and I’m feeling a couple more getting added this week.
*since been ruled out injured
Marcus Bontempelli
We have come to expect so much from Bontempelli so much so that 119 seemed like a slight disappointment. His disposal efficiency was 7% down on his season average but he still ended up with 26 disposals, 2 goals 2 behinds and 6 tackles. The Doggies have got themselves in a vulnerable position losing that game and I think that’s when he stands up and plays his best footy. He loves the match up of the Kangaroos, he has his 4th best career average 116.7 over 15 games. Over the 122 games he has played at Marvel he average 110.9 and on top of this over his last 9 games at Marvel this season he averages a monstrous 144 SuperCoach points a game! The last time they met in round 16 he scored 154 points. If you don’t own Xerri, Bont is the top pick of the round!
Tristan Xerri
At the time of writing this article, whispers were circling of English being out this week. If this is the case then I will be more than likely captaining The King again this week. In saying that these teams only met 6 weeks ago and Xerri absolutely dominated English having 34 v 25 hitouts with 8 of them going to advantage compared to English’s 5. I can not speak more highly of this guy. He was my pick of the round last week and was on a measly 17 SuperCoach point at quarter time and I was having serious regrets of pumping this guy up. Boy did he turn it around, he finished on a massive 185 SuperCoach points! He has a 3 round average of 160 (151, 144 and 185). He did cop a couple of knocks last week but you just cannot ignore this form!
Zak Butters
Butters finished on a solid score of 131 last week as our 2nd top captain pick and that was with a very quiet last quarter only having the 4 disposals. He has a huge game this week in the Showdown and with top spot still up for grabs, he will be attacking every contest as hard as ever. He has a decent record against Adelaide with 3 out of his last 5 scores being 124, 134 and 125. The last few weeks midfielders have been the top scorers against Adelaide including Bont 119, Stewart 120 and Day 136 SuperCoach points. Expecting a good return from Butters.
Sam Flanders
The last 2 weeks have been the only times this season he has gone sub 100 but you have to look at the midfield match up and Melbourne leak large numbers to opposition midfielders. Some recent beneficiaries have been JHF 141, Butters 131, Bont 182, Treloar 141, Dale 126, Peatling 133, Serong 140 and Brayshaw 137. I could go on but I think I have painted the picture clear enough! This match up reads well!
Dayne Zorko
He has been a little hit and miss the last few weeks but we all know the ceiling he can produce. Collingwood have been leaking large points to half backs this season, In recent weeks Blakey 117, Newman 144, Broad 135, Vlaustin 118 and Sicily 123 SuperCoach points. Most weeks over the last month or more the highest scores (besides the Sydney game) have been from half backs. Great match and the number don’t lie!
Adam Treloar POD
What a season Treloar has put together he has to be in the AA squad with his numbers. His ability to rack up 30 plus and kick a goal is just a standard event for him now. He has the 4th highest 3 round average and the 2nd highest 5 round average in the competition. I’ll keep it short, he is in form and playing North.
CASEY’S CAPTAIN CONFIDENCE RATING:
Vice Captains:
- Dayne Zorko
- Errol Gulden
- Sam Flanders
Captains:
- Tristan Xerri/Marcus Bontempelli
- Adam Treloar
- Zak Butters
