Tom Green during the GWS Giants pre-season training on January 20, 2023. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - ©Phil Hillyard )
The last of the early bye rounds are upon us, and we are stacked with Captaincy options yet again. So who leads the charge for us in round 4?
VC Options
The obvious choice now after a blistering start to 2025 is Tom De Koning on Thursday night. With 2 scores of 130+ already this season, there is no reason to not back in the form again this week against the Pies.
The other standout option is Nick Daicos. People may be worried about some attention from George Hewett, but last year against the Blues, Daicos had scores of 122 and 92. Before his bye, he reminded everyone how good he can be with a score of 136, and if you are an owner, you will never look silly having your VC on Daicos.
With 2 popularly owned players with good ceilings playing on Thursday night, I will move straight into the Captaincy options from Friday night onwards, but as always, plan accordingly for your personal team structure and don’t be afraid to hold off on your VC until someone later in the round if it suits you.
Captains – Top 5
- Dayne Zorko
Zorko just keeps getting it done, with 3 scores of 110+ to start the year, and this week he has the match up with Richmond, who have allowed Burgoyne (122), Farrell (114), Sinclair (134) and Wanganeen-Milera (112) all to rack up across half back and pump out huge tons. That is enough on it’s own to sell Zorko again this week, but add in the fact he scored 148 against the Tigers last year, and he is the number 1 captaincy lock this week.
- Tom Green
A forgotten man this season, with less than 2% ownership after a pre-season setback and an early bye ruled him out of starting team calculations, but I expect everyone to get a heavy reminder of the ceiling Tom Green is capable of producing this week. So far this year the Eagles have allowed 4 inside midfielders to score 110+ in their first three games, and last year in this match up, Tom Green scored 120. He has gathered 30+ possessions in both of his first 2 games this year, and I expect that to continue, and likely improve this week. 120+ incoming.
- Josh Dunkley
Just like Zorko above, Dunkley should make the most of this match up yet again this week. He has also scored 110+ in each of the first three weeks of the season, and last year against the Tigers he scored 105. Last week we saw Macrae (113) score well against the Tigers, and the week before it was Rozee (145) who dominated them as the inside mids. Expect Dunkley to continue on his form this week.
- Max Gawn
Sitting very high up the rankings for someone in poor form, Gawn has to be in considerations against the Cats this week. In round 2, Rowan Marshall dominated De Koning for 142, which should be a sign of things to come for Max this week. He only managed 92 against the Cats last season, but we have seen some ruckman take advantage of the size difference against SDK, and I fully expect a big bounce back from Gawn this week.
- Tristan Xerri
Would be sitting higher if it weren’t for the little hamstring scare last week, Xerri meets Brodie Grundy and the Swans this week, who in previous seasons have been a tough match up for rucks. This year however, Luke Jackson (104) and Llody Meek (110) have already shown no such signs, and I expect Xerri to bounce back this week too. Last year Xerri managed a 94 in this match up, and assuming there is no lingering issues fitness wise for him, I expect him to exceed that score comfortably this week.
