11 players scored 140+ in round 9 led by Lachie Whitfield in his return game from injury. There were the usual suspects that fired with the likes of Shannon Hurn, Mitch Duncan and David Mundy in rare form, which hopefully continues this week.
Sydney v Collingwood
(Friday – 7:50pm @ SCG)
Collingwood are flying and should account for the Swans who are on a roll themselves with 2 wins in a row. I can’t see anyone able to curb Brodie Grundy’s influence who is in great form, scored 167 against them in a narrow loss last season at the SCG. Will be one of the most popular choices this week, and with good reason.
Best choice: Brodie Grundy
Hawthorn v Port Adelaide
(Saturday 1:45pm @ UTAS)
No real standouts in this game as the most likely options in Travis Boak, Tom Rockliff and James Sicily are not in good form averaging 95.7, 94.3 and 86.7 respectively over the last 3 weeks. Plenty of better options elsewhere.
Best choice: n/a
Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne
(Saturday 2:10pm @ Marvel)
Strong options in this game with Jack Macrae, Josh Dunkley, Marcus Bontempelli and Ben Cunnington in excellent form. Macrae has scored 100+ in his last 5 games against the Kangas with an average of 121.2 while Bont has averaged 121.6 over his last 5 with a low of 87. Cunnington is also a viable option but it’s out of Macrae and Bont for mine.
Best choice: Jack Macrae
Adelaide v West Coast
(Saturday 4:35pm @ AO)
This should be a great game and a fierce contest. Both midfields are stacked with talent and potential options. The likes of Rory Sloane, Matt Crouch, Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey and more will be battling in the middle while both teams have match-winners elsewhere on the ground. Of all the talent I would suggest Shannon Hurn as a safe bet as he is currently in great form averaging over 121 across his last 5 games, as well as a solid interstate record so far this season.
Best choice: Shannon Hurn
Gold Coast v Geelong
(Saturday 7:25pm @ Metricon)
The Cats are cruising and will find little resistance against the Suns this week. One from their midfield brigade will get off the leash with the likely candidates Mitch Duncan and Tim Kelly to lead the way. Both are in stunning form, especially Duncan who has taking the reigns in the middle of the ground and is highly likely to get well on top of the Suns mids who lack the talent of the Cats.
Best choice: Mitch Duncan
Richmond v Essendon
(Saturday 7:25pm @ MCG)
The showcase game of Indigenous Round is missing a fair array of potential match winners with both sides severely impacted by injuries. Dustin Martin has shown a glimpse of premo form while both Zach Merrett and/or Dylan Shiel are capable of a big score on the MCG. The Tigers evenness means any one of half-a-dozen or so of their players could lead the way for them and are likely to do so in what should be a comfortable victory.
Best choice: Zach Merrett
Melbourne v GWS
(Sunday 1:10pm @ MCG)
Hard to know which Giants side will take the field on Sunday as their best has been irresistible, but their worst has been embarrassing. The Dees have been disappointing but will be led by Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver while Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield and Stephen Coniglio will be looking to fire for the Giants. The Giants have high scoring potential all over the park leading to an abundance of choices.
Best choice: Max Gawn
St. Kilda v Carlton
(Sunday 3:20pm @ Marvel)
The blowtorch is well and truly on the Blues and they should come out fighting, which would mean they will be led by their inspirational skipper Patrick Cripps, who was well held last week. The Saints have solid contributors across the field, but none anywhere near the potential of Cripps. Lock him in.
Best choice: Patrick Cripps
Fremantle v Brisbane
(Sunday 3:20pm @ Optus)
Plenty of choices in the final game of the round starting with the Dockers Nat Fyfe and David Mundy, of which are both in excellent form, in particular the veteran Mundy. The Lions aren’t without their own potential captain choices in Dayne Zorko and Lachie Neale. Neale’s first game back against his former side should see some interesting viewing plus he will be determined to lead the way.
Best choice: Lachie Neale
Hot Sauce’s Top Picks
- Patrick Cripps
- Brodie Grundy
- Max Gawn
- Lachie Neale
- Jackson Macrae
Wildcard: Tom Hawkins
Which player will you be handing the Captaincy to? (Two choices)
- Brodie Grundy (41%, 140 Votes)
- Patrick Cripps (21%, 72 Votes)
- Jack Macrae (13%, 45 Votes)
- Max Gawn (7%, 23 Votes)
- Lachie Neale (5%, 18 Votes)
- Nat Fyfe (5%, 18 Votes)
- Josh Kelly (2%, 8 Votes)
- Someone else (please mention in the comments) (1%, 5 Votes)
- Shannon Hurn (1%, 4 Votes)
- Lachie Whitfield (1%, 3 Votes)
- Mitch Duncan (1%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 179
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Grundy into Cripps for me @ this stage
TU: Grundy into Kelly
TD: Kelly into Cripps
Going Jake Lloyd vc
Love a left-field VC! Good luck!
Brodie Grundy for VC. Should out point Sinclair easily.
If that somehow fails then the C goes on Macrae. This is based on my assertion that the oppositions premier mid goes big against the Roos without Jacobs.
Food for thought. Late last season the Doggies ended North’s finals chances and it was their run off half back and through the midfield that we couldn’t stop.
Hunter 44 possessions and 155 SC
Macrae 40 possessions and 150 SC
Bontempelli 35 possessions and 134 SC
Daniel 40 possessions and 120 SC
With Jacobs still out and North playing some mediocre at best footy I can see some big Doggie numbers again.
Grundy into Macrae
Steele will go to Cripps id imagine and with Cripps showing tag vulnerability in recent weeks im gonna avoid him with the C
Grundy into Mac will take 125
Why is nobody going Gawn when he’s averaging more than both Cripps and McCrae?
Everyone’s probably scared of Mumford’s knees and elbows…
Nah, those are clean tackles.
Grundy into T Kelly for me