Ben Ashton from AFL SuperCoach 360 weighs up the best vice-captain and captain options for Round 13.
🔥 Bailey Smith vs Adelaide
One of the premier midfielders of 2026 and primed for a Thursday night blockbuster against the Crows. A fantastic VC option and one of the safest ways to start the round.
🔥 Max Holmes vs Adelaide
A rare down week last round, but the perfect bounce-back candidate. I can easily see Holmes returning to his best and pushing 120+.
⚠️ Jordan Dawson vs Geelong
The tag risk is real. Dawson has been in terrific form, but the possibility of attention from Geelong would be enough to steer me elsewhere this week.
⚠️ Marcus Bontempelli vs Hawthorn
The great man can never be discounted from VC/C calculations. However, Hawthorn are a quality outfit and I wouldn’t feel overly comfortable relying on Bont this week. He scored 101 against them in 2025.
🤔 Tristan Xerri vs Luke Jackson
As an owner of both, I’m happy to sit back and spectate. The matchup, recent TOG concerns and fluctuating form make it difficult to confidently place the VC or C on either ruckman.
🔥 Harry Sheezel vs Fremantle
A quality POD selection, although not one I’m personally targeting. Feels like a safe 115-130 type score if things go to plan.
🚀 Josh Treacy vs North Melbourne
Quietly putting together an elite run of form. Against North Melbourne he could absolutely explode. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him kick a huge bag and produce the kind of performance Curnow delivered last week against Richmond.
📈 Matt Rowell / Noah Anderson vs Brisbane
Not bad options at all against a Lions side battling injuries and carrying a wounded ego. Both are capable of 130+, but if I had to pick one right now, I’d lean Anderson based on current form.
📈 Christian Petracca vs Lions
Is only a matter of time that Trac explodes for another 150 like he started 2026. Could it be this week against the ailing reigning premiers? I have a gut feeling he will score well. Legitimate VC option, but I wouldn’t trust the straight C on him.
🤷 Zak Butters vs West Coast
A tricky one. Recent scores against West Coast don’t mean much anymore because they seem to enjoy tagging premiums. Happy enough to VC Butters, but I wouldn’t be thrilled if my captain finished with a tagged 85.
🌟 Murdock vs Port Adelaide
Imagine the rookie sensation pumping out a 120+ against a vulnerable midfield. It would be absolute scenes.
🔥 Isaac Heeney vs St Kilda
Could attract the Windhager tag, but I still think Heeney is one of the safest captaincy plays of the round. His ceiling is enormous and his recent form speaks for itself.
🤔 Charlie Curnow vs St Kilda
Can he carry last week’s monster performance into a matchup with Wilkie? A fascinating watch.
🚫 Archie Roberts vs Carlton
Recent form and role would have me steering well clear. That said, I genuinely hope he bounces back with a big score.
🔥 Patrick Cripps vs Essendon
Could absolutely tear the Bombers apart. Carlton should control large portions of this game and Cripps feels capable of a 130+ score.
⭐ Nick Daicos vs Melbourne
I absolutely love this play on the big stage. With the emotion surrounding the King’s Birthday clash and the tribute to Neil Daniher, I can see a vintage Daicos performance — 30+ disposals and multiple goals. One of my favourite captaincy options this round.
🔥 Max Gawn vs Collingwood
If Gawn is solo ruck, he’s firmly in the captaincy conversation. My final decision will likely come down to Daicos versus Gawn.
🏆 FINAL VERDICT
I’m backing Isaac Heeney as my VC against St Kilda. If he can carry over last week’s form, he’ll be an outstanding option.
If Heeney falls short, I’ll turn my attention to the Monday blockbuster and place the captaincy on either Nick Daicos or Max Gawn.
Best of luck this round, coaches.
🤞 Fingers crossed for green vests, monster captain scores, and most importantly… no injury carnage
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