Captaincy Candidates – Round 1

Afternoon, all. I’ve come aboard SCT this year to handle the site’s captaincy content, so first off a thank you to Motts and the other admins for the opportunity – more than happy to help out.

Now, I’m certainly not on par with some of SCT’s best coaches, but my captaincy selections over the last couple of seasons has probably been the most redeeming feature of my SC game; so hopefully my analysis is somewhat prudent.

The way we’ll do it this year is I’ll lay out 3 vice-captaincy candidates, 3 captaincy candidates, an otherwise good option you should steer clear from this week and a smoky pick for those who live life on the edge. Will lay those options out alongside the candidate’s last 3 v opponent and last 3 @ the venue. I’ll also provide a little commentary and context around each candidate, a gut and statistically informed prediction and then a summative verdict.

My opinions are not inviolable, so of course give me your thoughts and VC/C combos for the round in the comments.

Vice-Captaincy Candidates

CRIPPS v Tigers

• L3 v Tigers: 134, 126, 130 (130 av.)
• L3 @ MCG: 85, 134, 152 (124 av.)

Can see an optimistic and renewed Blues side taking it up to the Premiers with Cripps at the helm. The Tigers don’t tag and tend not to play a tight defensive midfielder, so Cripps should be free to fly off the handle and put up a score of around 130.

GRUNDY v Bulldogs

• L3 v Bulldogs: 174, 160, 152 (162 av.)
• L3 @ MRVL: 133, 174, 108 (138 av.)

Not much commentary to provide here, Grundy’s record speaks for itself. Granted English has matured as a ruckman, but it’s hard to see Grundy putting up anything short of 140.

MACRAE v Pies

• L3 v Pies: 148, 110, 102 (120 av.)
• L3 v MRVL: 137, 153, 120 (137 av.)

Of the three Big Dogs (Macrae, Dunkley and Bont), Macrae had the best stats against the Pies and at Marvel – you can back him in for a 125. That said, there’s nothing wrong with banking on the other two Big Dogs.

Captaincy Candidates

CONIGLIO v Cats

• L3 v Cats: 104, 64, 88 (85 av.)
• L3 @ GS: 158, 207, 102 (156 av.)

With there being so many stand out VC options early in the round, I had to get creative with the C: beginning with Coniglio. The Cats don’t tend to leak big midfield scores, but I’ve got a feeling GWS’ new captain can come out hot as the Giants seek to avenge last year’s nightmare. He also plays GS pretty well, the potential for 110+ is there.

NEALE v Hawks

• L3 v Hawks: 120, 114, 111 (115 av.)
• L3 @ MCG: 190, 140, 104 (145 av.)

Fagan’s played some student becomes the master mind-games with Clarko in their recent encounters, with Neale wracking up 30+ disposals on both occasions. Looking at a minimum 120 from him.

YEO v Demons

• L3 v Demons: 114, 136, 120 (123 av.)
• L3 @ OS: 93, 98, 128 (105 av.)

Took me a while to settle on an option from this game. Gawn will get double teamed by Nic Nat and Hickey, Oliver cops the Hutchings tag, no data on T. Kelly with West Coast. Recalled PBuzz’s touting of Yeo in the pre-season and the data backs it up. Plays the Demons and OS well, should be good for 120.

Steer Clear

DANGERFIELD v Giants

• L3 v Giants: 66, 108, 196* (87* av.)
• L3 @ GS: 196 (196* av.)

Now, immediately I can sense the confusion as to why I’m suggesting to “steer clear” of a player who put up 196 against the same opponent at the same ground. Allow me to explain: the 196 was in 2017 (Danger’s best SC season on record) and the infamous De Boer tag was not yet an inviolable part of GWS’ structure. In their more recent match ups, De Boer has had Danger – keeping him to 66 last year. Expecting De Boer to keep him to a sub-100 score.

Smoky Pick

MITCHELL v Lions

• L3 v Lions: 159, 155, 135 (150 av.)
• L3 @ MCG: 102, 153, 136 (130 av.)

I think a lot of us have forgotten what an SC beast and auto-captain Titch was prior to his injury. Certainly a lot of caveats to backing him in: injury-risk, limited minutes and Lions not being a weak side anymore, but if anyone can come out with a surprise 120 it’s Titch.

Verdict

For me, you’d be a fool to go past Grundy this week (even more of a fool not to start him) with all data indicating he’ll dominate English once again. Looking like Grundy into Neale at my end. What about you guys?

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