Afternoon, all. This is easily the most challenging captaincy write up I’ve done in a while. Auto-VC Satan is out of commission, Bont will play but is coming off a minor issue, Zerrett will get tagged by O’Neil and Daicos by Scott and Tingles comes up against Witts. With the obvious omission of Satan all those guys (Bont, Zerrett, Daicos & Tingles) can still technically be VC’d but are really sub-optimal this week. As such, there won’t be a designated Steer Clear this week but rather this little preamble noting their issues: Bont = a bit tender, Tingles = vs Witts, Daicos = tagged by Scott & Zerrett = tagged by O’Neil. Of the four, Zerrett and Daicos are firm steer clears. O’Neil and Scott both tagged last week very effectively and Zerrett and Daicos present are clear go to’s. Tingles’ around the ground work will still see him ton but not having an easy ruck economy clamps his ceiling. Bont is a god, of course, but one I’d limit to just the VC and not C this week if you can help it. The Crows and Lions are also crashing into each this round. Accordingly, this week’s format and crop of candidates are a little different.
Vice-Captaincy Candidates
SAINTS v Hawks
- Steele: 108 [92]
- Sinclair 115 [104]
- Marshall: 112 [118]
*L3 v Hawk AVG [L3 @ MRVL AVG]
Yes, a whole team! The Hawks were made to look like a premiership outfit last week but still remain a nice opponent to crash into. Even their elevated clearance work forces a lot of CPs and repeat stoppages. As such, Steele was sturdy last week and will be required to fire on all cylinders with Day, Worpel and Nash more than capable of getting the drop on the Saints’ midfield early. Sinclair was fantastic last week with 37 touches @ 83% DE and two goals and on form and opponent will go well. Finally RoMo has had a capital month and with the Hawks down to just Meek the ruck restrictiveness should be gone. All three Saints here go 120, take your pick.
SERONG v Dees
- L3 v Dees: 87, 75, 101 (88 av.)
- L3 @ MCG: 75, 65, 101 (80 av.)
The way the Dees open up the game and force a true midfield battle makes them a great opponent – recall Butters last week, Anderson’s 189 and Taranto’s 144. With Satan now out, any MID v Dees is a sure fire VC/C. Serong (assuming he’s fine after light duties yesterday) solid for 135 and even that bum Brayshaw will ton.
STEWART v Giants
- L3 v Giants: 74, 107, 100 (94 av.)
- L3 @ GMHBA: 99, 111, 106 (105 av.)
I’m here and I’m there with this call. Unlocks that ceiling at GMHBA and the Giants just let a HB in Sinclair smoke them for 160 last week. Only problem might be that because of that fact (Sinclair baking them) they’ll look to cut off HB supply this week. The Giants also tried to open with O’Halloran on Sinclair but abandoned it early. Left alone he’ll go 130+ pretty easily, just a matter of whether you back him to escape attention.
GREEN v Cats
- L3 v Cats: 96, 41 (69 av.)
- L3 @ GMHBA: 41 (41 av.)
Would really need a classy outing from the young man away from home but the Cats run a high rotation midfield so can see GWS actually getting first use a fair bit. Solid for 120, especially if he’s CP work is on point early. Only played at GMHBA once in his first year, so really is a diceroll but potentially one worth making given the scant options this week.
Captaincy Candidates
ROZEE v Tigers
- L3 v Port: 67, 76, 47 (63 av.)
- L3 @ MCG: 92, 119, 76 (96 av.)
Tigers’ midfield remains as juicy as ever to VC/C into. Rozee, Butters and JHF will dance around the center square for 120s all round.
LAIRD v Lions
- L3 v Lions: 142, 129, 86 (119 av.)
- L3 @ AO: 98, 100, 135 (111 av.)
Baird was sensational last week even in a crushing loss against a high quality midfield with 34 touches, 10 tackles and 16 contested. Probably the saftest option this week. A lock for 125.
DAWSON v Lions
- L3 v Lions: 107, 79, 64 (83 av.)
- L3 @ AO: 89, 150, 152 (130 av.)
Didn’t find the space he’s become accustomed to and got boxed into a lot of errors by the rampant Dogs. Lions of a similar midfield profile but back Dawson to steady himself and the Crows to retune their connection going I50, which has been a great scoring stream for Dawson. Returns to 120+.
DUNKLEY v Crows
- L3 v Crows: 142, 65, 88 (98 av.)
- L3 @ AO: 108, 78, 116 (101 av.)
Running a 3 round average of 135, Dunks carries some real clout as a candidate this week just on form. Doesn’t stoop below a low-ton but does 130 if the Lions come to town and bring the heat.
Smoky Pick
WALSH v Swans
- L3 v Swans: 133, 90, 161 (128 av.)
- L3 @ SCG: 90, 103 (97 av.)
Finally, as a smoky, we’ve got Walsh. The Blues are heinous, having lost their midfield potency, but the Swans aren’t much better. Pretty much tank their season if they don’t win here so Walsh will be head down jets on for 120 off a really nice history. Similar proposition with Gulden for those interested.
History
- Round 1: Green 132
- Round 2: Baird 147
- Round 3: Satan 156
- Round 4: Tingles 145
- Round 5: Tingles 137
- Round 6: Miller 40
- Round 7: Satan 134
- Round 8: Satan 136
- Round 9: Tingles 88
- Round 10: RoMo 126
Verdict
What a week, right? At this stage I’ve locked Baird in as a C – consistency, was mega last week, plays at home and shown he can step up to a big midfield. A Saints VC then makes sense but didn’t like how they underestimated the Giants last week and the Hawks could really turn up this week buoyed by a 100 point win – maybe it’s not a soft kill for the Saints trio? Stewart and Green are too slim propositions though. Argh! So tough. RoMo into Baird at the present but watch one of the logically ruled out/asteriked Bont, Tingles, Daicos & Zerrett defy an appropriate read and pop off.
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What about Libba’s stats?
Seems to be the inform mid in SC and safe VC option for those who still want to back in the Bont in the same game. My only concern is how mids fair in Darwin for SC scoring.
Cheers
Libba fantastic, just hard to squeeze in on ownership.
LIBERATORE v Suns
L3 v Suns: 92, 83, 103
L3 @ TIO: N/A
Can someone confirm serong will be good to go this weekend? Looking to VC him into Laird!
Was on light duties after a small ankle issue v Cats.
No real confirmation any of us can give. If he plays, there shouldn’t be an issue.
Serong is on the flight to Melbourne so no worries.
Beauty, cheers!
Marshall to a toss-up between Laird/Dunkley
Madden my only loophole as Roberts/Cincotta play Friday, so it limits my choices.
Marshall has been in good form and should do well against the Hawks.
Not many, if any rucks have done that well v Hawks this season
Seems the Nash, Newcombe types are sharking a lot
I’ve switched VC to Gulden due to his run of form and then being a struggle to loophole tomorrow with other commitments
Stewart or Bont into Butters for me! Let’s see if Butters can strike twice!!!
With Oliver OUT injured what is Petracca stats?
Only one game in recent years where Satan missed and Petracca played.
Petracca scored 141.
I was looking at RoMo into Laird Rozee or Bont but Bont with a niggle in the Darwin weather might be iffy
No love for Sic as v ???
I questioned it, since Ziebell went massive against the Saints a couple rounds ago.
Eh, too many talls at the Saints.
All the named options ahead of him. You’re betting for him to hit the top of his range.
Could be fine for a diceroll VC as most are this week, Wighty. Good luck.
Hope my eyes are not bigger than my brain by ogling way too much looking at Gulden’s 188 pre season v Blues. Errol into RoMo I reckon and it’s out of the way early.
Don’t mind that at all, Jim. Think you might be onto something.
Would be awesome GD, as long as I don’t chicken out. Had the VC on Butters last week and chickened out last minute – dumb shit !
Dammit. Thought I was going to look all clever going this option.
Marshall may become Zerrett if I chicken out.
Any love for Gulden as VC this week?
Yes, Graeme. Mentioned as a decent flyer v Blues.
What about Brayshaw vs Melb?
Looks back in top form and as a strong outside player i think will do very well at the g.
Answer in article.
Vice-captain: Merrett (no O’Neill), Butters, Stewart, Sinclair
Captain: Dawson vs Laird
It’s a tough week
Hey GD, with O’Neill out do you think they’ll run a tag on Zerrett? If not thoughts on him as a VC? I’ve been thinking Sicily all week. Saints leak bulk defensive points (170s to Ziebell and Ryan) and Sicily now freed up as the 3rd tall.
Yes.
Just seen sheets now. O’Neil gone, so Zerrett back in play.
Sicily also good, Wighty mentioned him. Good read from you. But with how inept the Hawks backs are, can see Sicily having to sacrifice his own game to handle Caminiti and King maybe? Also counting him to hit the top of his range.
Those will be the match ups, yeah – but Sicily will inevitably end up coming back to support against both.
If you’re feeling the VC on him, do it.
Nice language. My kids read this (not any more)
Dunkley / Zerrit
Bont into Dunkley i think :s need a 120+
Tu: Bont
Td: Dunkley
For captain. My vc gulden didnt work…
Vc choice….
T/u Sinclair
T/d Sicily
Hope I dont have to decide between Dunks and Bont as c.
Marshall into Zerritt or Dunkley
Going the C on Dawson over Dunkley today.
Fortunately avoided Merrett yesterday, and whilst he wasn’t tagged in the end, O’Neill’s late in was enough to scare me off. I didn’t pick this up until a post here. Thanks for everyone’s contributions – legends.
Who do I put the C on today?
Laird, Dunkley, Daicos? Or take Bont’s 124?
Very close contest in my league, he has the C on Neale
Some saying about birds, hands and bushes.
Take the 124
I’m going Laird as Gulden didn’t work out
Similar questions to above, got a very tight league matchup so who should I captain?
TU: De Goey v North at Docklands
TD: Dawson v Lions at Adelaide Oval
Captain
TU: Laird
Or
TD: Daicos