If last week taught us anything, it’s this… There’s no such thing as a “safe” captain anymore.
Injuries are piling up, roles are shifting, and nailing the right captain score each week is crucial for your weekly score and rank.
This week? It’s about backing your premiums — and picking the right one for the double score.
Follow Ben @AFLSC360
Crows vs Bulldogs
Marcus Bontempelli | Jordan Dawson | Tim English
This is where your VC likely starts.
Bontempelli is as safe as it gets right now — elite role, elite ceiling, coming off a monster score and built for contested games like this. He’s the definition of a set-and-trust VC.
If you don’t have Bont, English is a viable alternative. I’m still slightly hesitant and we want a larger sample size with the new ruck rules, but he could dominate against an inexperienced McAndrew.
Dawson feels like more of a watch. Capable of going big, but not quite screaming captain this week against the Dogs.
My Verdict: Bont VC and don’t overthink it — he loves this matchup Vs Adelaide.
Richmond vs Suns
Christian Petracca | Noah Anderson
Trac is going to be popular — and for good reason.
High midfield time, huge ceiling, two massive games to start 2026, and a history of dominating this matchup. He thrives when he gets involved early — and Richmond allow that — he could go 30 & 3 goals and another 150+ would not surprise.
Anderson is just as intriguing. Anderson goes huge last week if not for missing the final 10–15 minutes with the game already put to bed — remove that lost time and you’re looking at a monster. He also thrives against Richmond and profiles as a genuine ceiling play — 140+ is well within reach.
Verdict: Both huge ceilings — Trac is a safe 130-160, Anderson is your POD swing.
Giants vs Saints
Finn Callaghan | Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera | Jack Sinclair
Plenty of scoring potential here.
Callaghan is trending — healthy, big role, rising confidence and the Giants need a win.
Sinclair remains one of the most reliable 110–120 types when the Saints control the ball.
NAS… exciting prospect , but hasn’t started 2026 strongly and still feels too volatile for captaincy.
Verdict: none are for me —- Sinclair safest, Callaghan upside, NAS too risky (especially straight C).
Fremantle vs Melbourne
This one’s fascinating.
Jackson dominated last week, clearly has the new midfield role and could destroy the inexperienced Demons midfield. If he gets on top around the ground, he goes big again — simple as that. I am bringing him in this week, but my fallback Captain option plays in the final game of round 2.
Gawn is the old horse everyone used to trust… but the matchup and new rules create too many question marks right now.
Verdict: Jackson the upside play — wouldn’t shock to see another 140+. Gawn a wait-and-see in my opinion.
Port vs Essendon
Feels like a trap game for captaincy.
Both can (and probably will) go large — but the consistency just isn’t there to confidently throw the C on.
Butters especially screams bounce-back… but his floor can be just as extreme as his ceiling and they could stick a Caldwell or Durham on him to minimize his impact.
Verdict: Tempting, but I’d avoid a Port Adelaide for captaincy this week with better (safer) options available.
West Coast vs North Melbourne
Here it is.
Xerri shapes as the most reliable captain option of the round — ruck dominance, massive workload, and a matchup he can and will exploit.
Sheezel has upside if the game opens up… but Xerri is the one you trust for both floor and ceiling.
Verdict: Xerri captain and sleep easy. North clocked last week and who knows what he could score this week.
Final Call
- VC: Bontempelli / Petracca
- C: Tristan Xerri
My Play This Week
You don’t need to get cute. This is the week you stay disciplined with the obvious juicy options presented and let others overthink it.
Ben Ashton @AFLSC360
