Ben Ashton from AFL SuperCoach 360 weighs up the best vice-captain and captain options for Round 18.
Baz vs NAS
Two absolute superstars. Both could realistically score anywhere between 100-160 this week, so you’re almost flipping a coin.
I’m still undecided, but NAS’ role is absolutely filthy right now. As it stands, he’d be my pick of the two on Thursday night.
Holmes vs St Kilda
Holmes has put together an incredible season. I don’t think his ceiling is quite as high as Baz or NAS this week, but he’s still a fantastic VC if you’re looking for a reliable POD.
Marshall vs Geelong
The big man is enjoying a resurgent run as lone ruck with TDK out of the side and the Cats typically give up big numbers to rucks.
Grundy vs Adelaide
Grundy tore Adelaide apart for 161 last season.
He hasn’t exactly set the world on fire recently, but a matchup against McAndrew in Sydney could be exactly what gets him back to a monster score. I wouldn’t be betting against him.
Heeney vs Adelaide
Heeney has been solid rather than spectacular since Round 12, and he managed just 83 against Adelaide last season. A ceiling game wouldn’t surprise me at all, but he’s not one of my preferred captain options this week.
Dawson vs Sydney
A 112 against Sydney last season was solid, but Dawson has gone to another level in 2026. His form has been phenomenal, and I expect James Jordon to go to Rankine rather than Dawson.
Playing Sydney in Sydney gives me a little hesitation, but if you’re chasing a POD captain, this could be the week it pays off.
Luke Jackson vs Port Adelaide
This is my favourite VC play of the round.
No Butters. No JHF. No Rozee. Sweet in the ruck.
Sign me up. 🔐
Brayshaw vs Port Adelaide
Everything I said about Jackson applies here.
Brayshaw has been outstanding lately and has genuine 150+ upside in this matchup. A brilliant POD captain option.
Sheezel vs Melbourne
One of the hottest players in the competition.
I’d be surprised if he scores under 125, and another 140+ wouldn’t shock me either.
Gawn vs Xerri
I generally avoid captaining elite rucks against other elite rucks.
Gawn has been phenomenal this season and still to sub-tonne, but the Xerri matchup is enough for me to look elsewhere.
Daicos vs Carlton
Scores of 140 and 127 in his last two against Carlton.
Saturday night. MCG. Prime time. Strap yourselves in.
Ashcroft / Neale vs West Coast
Bloodbath incoming. Ashcroft’s form has been ridiculous. If you own him, he absolutely belongs in your captaincy plans.
Neale should score well too, but Ashcroft feels like Brisbane’s alpha now.
Hawks vs Richmond
If you own Newcombe or Day, I couldn’t argue with giving them the VC.
Richmond continue to leak points, and Hawthorn should have plenty of the footy.
Bontempelli vs Gold Coast
I absolutely love this matchup. Bont is back in MVP form, Gold Coast don’t tag, and they haven’t been at their best recently.
It could be a danger game for the Dogs, but Bont never leaves anything on the field. A huge score is well within reach. Another 150+?
Trac / Anderson / Rowell vs Bulldogs
Surely one of these three goes huge. The problem is picking which one.
Too much uncertainty for me to hand any of them the captaincy.
Ash / Whitfield / Callaghan vs Essendon
Essendon are leaking massive SuperCoach scores right now.
I’d happily captain any of these three with confidence, but if I’m choosing between them and Bont, I still lean Bont this week.
🏆 Final Verdict
VC: 🔒 Luke Jackson vs Port Adelaide
I genuinely think Jackson has 150+ in him this week.
If he falls short, I’m backing Marcus Bontempelli vs Gold Coast to wear the captaincy.
Best of luck this week. Hopefully you dodge the carnage, nail your captaincy, and climb those rankings.
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