It’s been a topsy turvy fortnight for captain picks. If you have been lucky enough to jump in someone going 120+ you’d be laughing! Gather Round has come around fast this season and I am really keen on a couple of captain picks for Round 5.
Round 5 Vice Captains
Tom Stewart
In 2025, Tom Stewart has seen fewer tags and recently showcased his skills with 24 disposals and 5 kick-ins over the weekend. His past performances against Adelaide have been impressive, scoring 134 and 120 points, with the higher score achieved at this same venue. Notably, in 2022, he delivered a standout performance, racking up 174 SuperCoach points. Last weekend, teammate Rioli also excelled against Adelaide with 163 points from the half-back line. Stewart’s potential ceiling makes him a strong Vice Captain (VC) choice this round.
Darcy Cameron
Darcy Cameron has proven himself adept at rucking against former teammate Brodie Grundy. His recent scores reflect this, with impressive results of 94, 165, and 100, averaging 120 points over his last three matches. Currently, he ranks as the 5th highest scoring ruckman among those who have played every game for their team, boasting an average of 110.3 points for the season. While selecting a Point of Difference (POD) carries inherent risks, his high potential makes him a compelling VC option this week.
Tom DeKoning
Tom DeKoning’s recent performances have mirrored Carlton’s inconsistency; he thrives in the first half but struggles to maintain that momentum afterward. This week, he faces West Coast, who have been fielding Jack and Bailey Williams in the ruck—currently one of the easiest matchups for opposing ruckmen. Recent matchups include Jackson scoring 156 and Witts 144 SuperCoach points against them. While some may feel frustrated with DeKoning’s recent VC outings, he certainly has the potential to dominate this matchup, making him my top VC pick for the round.
Round 5 Captains
Zach Merrett
As an Essendon supporter, I had to include Zach Merrett in my team this round after the bye. Excluding his 83 from last year, his recent scores have been stellar: 134, 147, 119, and 120. Adelaide Oval is one of his preferred venues, where he averages 114.5 points over 15 games. With his desire to uplift his team, Merrett is a notable captain choice this round.
Jack Macrae
Jack Macrae stands out as one of the few players who has not dipped below 100 SuperCoach points this season. He has quickly become a favorite among many of our Fantasy teams, averaging an impressive 127.3 points in 2025. Macrae has consistently delivered excellent performances against the Giants over the past four years, with scores of 122, 140, 155, 140, and 133. His reliability makes him a safer captain option for this round.
Lachie Neale
For those who have held on to Lachie Neale, the rewards continue to come. He delivered another captain-worthy score over the weekend and is expected to do so again during Gather Round. Neale has an impressive record against his upcoming opponent, with scores of 134, 117, 135, and 167 in the past four years. With no tagging expected from his opponents, he’s a solid pick for this round.
Caleb Serong
If only I had taken my own advice and made Caleb Serong my captain last week. Although he started slowly, he finished strong with 142 SuperCoach points, placing him as the 8th highest scorer of the round. After managing just 3 disposals in the first quarter, he rallied to achieve 38 disposals, including 15 contested possessions in the third quarter. Richmond presents the second easiest matchup for opposing midfielders, and Serong previously scored 137 against them in 2024. Note to self: ensure to put the captain’s armband on if my VC choice falters this week.
