Finally, the byes are done. Back to a full team and 9 games to pick your VC/C. Plenty of choices this week, but is there any point of picking anyone other than Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn?
Essendon v GWS
(Thursday – 7:20pm @ Marvel)
GWS will look consolidate a top 4 spot while the Bombers are hoping to keep their season alive. Zach Merrett is the likely option for the Dons, especially with Do Boer missing through injury. He is more than capable of a big score but it’s more likely the opposition that will provide the best option. The Giants bring the likely top scorers here with Heath Shaw capable of amassing plenty of the pill down back. Or could it be their star forward Jeremy Cameron who is likely to kick a bag if the Giants get a hold of the Dons? It’s likely to be neither of the previously mentioned Giants, but one of the star trio of midfielders in Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio and Tim Taranto. Kelly is the popular choice, but it is Coniglio who has dominated in recent history with a 3-game average of 134.3 with his Round 1 score of 154 fresh in our memories.
Best choice: Stephen Coniglio
Geelong v Adelaide
(Friday 7:50pm @ GMHBA)
The Cats will look to get back into winning ways but face stiff competition in an excellent Crows side. Both Rory Sloane and Brad Crouch have excellent recent history against the Cats, but nothing close to that off Cats superstar Patrick Dangerfield vs the Crows. Danger has hit vintage form averaging 140.0 over his last 3 games while he averages 139.2 in his last 5 games against is former side. Potential for another member of the Cats midfield brigade with Mitch Duncan and Tim Kelly having outstanding seasons or possibly the Crows surprising reserve ruckman in Reilly O’Brien who continues to shine.
Best choice: Patrick Dangerfield
Hawthorn v West Coast
(Saturday 1:45pm @ MCG)
The Eagles are looking more and more like the September 2018 version led superbly by their skipper Shannon Hurn who is in the middle of a career best SC season, however having a below average record against the Hawks. It could easily be one of the Eagles midfielders, with Elliot Yeo, Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff and Dom Sheed proven to be potential match-winners and high scorers. With the Hawks unlikely to have a top scoring option, it’s most likely to be an Eagle mid to lead the way.
Best choice: Elliot Yeo
Sydney v Gold Coast
(Saturday 4:35pm @ SCG)
Suns players don’t have a sniff here as not only are they outmatched as a team, but also come up against two of the best SC players in recent weeks in Luke Parker and Jake Lloyd. Despite Lloyd averaging 124.0 over his last 5 games, his recent history against the Suns is not good. Parker on the other hand is averaging 134.6 over his last 5 games while scoring 100+ in his last 5 against the Suns. Lock him in.
Best choice: Luke Parker
Collingwood v North Melbourne
(Saturday 7:25pm @ Marvel)
There is nobody to seriously consider in this game other than SC royalty Brodie Grundy. He is simply a SC scoring machine, as proved by last week’s performance, and basically any one of his last 50 games. An extremely safe bet as VC, Grundy will be a very popular choice this week as VC into Gawn as Captain. Ben Cunnington is in excellent form this season, but you wouldn’t bet against Grundy to top score this game, and likely for the whole week.
Best choice: Brodie Grundy
Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
(Saturday 7:10pm @ AO)
Port will look to continue on from their huge win over the top-of-the-table Cats last weekend and is likely to have star Travis Boak lead the way who is dominating this season. The Dogs, despite being unlikely winners, have many options for VC/C this week with in-form players across the field, with Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley in great form. Both are averaging 122.2 over their last 5 games and have had outstanding recent games against the Power. Either of the three above mentioned players are worthy options this week. Take your pick.
Best choice: Travis Boak
St. Kilda v Richmond
(Sunday 1:10pm @ Marvel)
No realistic options as a worthy alternative to Grundy and Gawn. There are several players who are very capable of 125+ but it’s a the up-coming SC star, Rowan Marshall who is the most likely option here.
Best choice: Rowan Marshall
Brisbane v Melbourne
(Sunday 3:20pm @ Gabba)
Plenty of options in this clash with midfield stars Lachie Neale and Clayton Oliver set for a big showdown. It’s Max Gawn however who brings in the best recent form, unbelievably averaging 150+ over his last 5 games. The big fella is in some scary form and it isn’t a surprise he is likely to be the most popular Captaincy selection this round, despite his recent history against the Lions.
Best choice: Max Gawn
Fremantle v Carlton
(Sunday 3:20pm @ Optus)
Another game with outstanding selections, especially for those needing to take a punt on someone outscoring the potentially popular choices of Grundy and Gawn. Patrick Cripps, Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters are all averaging 120+ over their last 3 games and at least 108.6 over their last 5 games. Cripps has been suspectable to a tag this season, as Ross Lyon is likely to explore the option as it goes a long way to shutting down the Blues and ensuring the 4 points. Fyfe’s superior form against the Blues stands out as two games 150+ in the last 12 – 15 months.
Best choice: Nat Fyfe
Hot Sauce’s Top Picks
- Max Gawn
- Brodie Grundy
- Patrick Dangerfield
- Nat Fyfe
- Luke Parker
Wildcard: Stephen Coniglio
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Danger into Fyfe for me
Grundy/Gawn are facing decent rucks in Goldstein and Martin, so I’m not confident they’ll be registering 150+ this week
Just looked at Gawn’s last 5 scores… I take it all back
Gawn and Martin have regularly cancelled each other out in the past. I will be passing on Gawn this week.
Hope the thumbs down didn’t put the C on Gawn. Was struggling, now injured.
Really tempted to go danger into fyfe, however my gut says it would be foolish not to go Grundy into Gawn… Decisions :/
Danger into Grundy for mine.
Yeh, I’m leaning that way. Danger or Jelly VC into Grundy.
Danger into Grundy for me,I think you forgot to put Brodie in the poll, should bode well for voting for ‘ someone who I haven’t mentioned’ !
Am I blind, or is there no Grundy in the captaincy poll?
Looks like it has been fixed now.
Bloody hard this week, Gawn/Grundy history isn’t the best but if you look at their last 5 games averages it’s so hard to ignore hmmmm
Geez Gawns form against brisbane has been sub par last few games, but if you had captained him all year there would only be 1 score ud be disspointed in and that was round 1.. the rest are pretty much all 110+ and last 5 weeks 140+
How about Rowan Marshall as a cheeky VC to touch up a ruck-less Richmond?
If I could, I would probably stick with Grundy/Gawn. But I’m thinking Danger into Gawn/Cripps depending on how my main league match is shaping up