Vice-Captaincy Candidates
SATAN v Lions
- L3 v Lions: 94, 177, 103 (125 av.)
- L3 @ MCG: 141, 134, 113 (129 av.)
Dees, albeit without Maxxy, will come in refreshed off the bye, honed in and desperate for a win. Expect a high stoppage, fierce contest which the competition’s #2 contested possession player should relish. A lock for 120+.
NEALE v Dees
- L3 v Dees: 84, 152, 137 (124 av.)
- L3 @ MCG: 157, 190, 140 (162 av.)
But who’s the competition’s #1 contested possesion player? That, my friends, is Lachie Neale. He’s currently the only SC player averaging over 130 and comes into Thursday night with some ridiculous match up stats; namely a 162 average at the G! Gawn’s absence should give the Lions an edge at center bounce. Expect Neale to get things going from there for a 140.
MACRAE v Hawks
- L3 v Hawks: 136, 102, 127 (122 av.)
- L3 @ MRVL: 107, 117, 89 (104 av.)
Macrae reminded us all why he still remains SC royalty and captaincy material last week: 37 touches, 9 tackles, a goal and 577 MG for a juicy 155 against the Giants. The Hawks at Marvel is a textbook match up for 130.
Captaincy Candidates
MILLS v Saints
- L3 v Saints: 100, 83, 82 (88 av.)
- L3 @ SCG: 117, 167, 139 (141 av.)
Looked to be on track for a double ton last week but Port really got on top, took the pace out of the game and put the Swans exclusively on the defense. Mills was once again swung as a spare behind the ball, which didn’t really impact his scoring – still managed a 138, which was the most the aforementioned match conditions would have allowed. Provided the Swans can get the game on their terms early at home, Mills should remain on ball for the entirety of the game and notch up 125.
LAIRD v Roos
- L3 v Roos: 149, 105, 93 (116 av.)
- L3 @ BA: 100, 9 (55 av.)
The #5 MID in the comp, averaging 121.2 and playing the Roos? Need I say any more? 140.
WITTS v Port
- L3 v Port: 50, 83, 129 (87 av.)
- L3 @ AO: 72, 59, 83 (71 av.)
Put up his first actually poor score for the year last week: a 68. 50% DE, less HOs to advantage than usual and squaring up against a solid ruck (atleast when I don’t own him) in ROB. Not to worry. He’ll either slap a raw Hayes or Finalyson this week for 130.
Steer Clear
BRAYSHAW v Blues
- L3 v Blues: 104, 135, 66 (102 av.)
- L3 @ MRVL: 132, 110, 126 (123 av.)
Set to be a superb contest but the Blues are the #1 centre bounce side in the competition and have been very restrictive of opposition MID scoring. Drills a ton, just probably doesn’t have the ceiling this week to warrant captaincy consideration.
Smoky Pick
CONIGLIO v Pies
- L3 v Pies: 49, 120, 71 (80 av.)
- L3 @ MCG: 96, 99, 76 (90 av.)
Let’s not ask how or why, but Cogs is sailing to tons and pumping out large ones against opponents you’d expect MIDs to go to town on. The Pies great to VC/C into, so Cogs a good late smoky fall back if you need one this week. Solid for a ton, more if everything falls into his lap.
Verdict
It’s gotta be Neale into Macrae this week. Only Laird owners should considering deviating from that. Captaincy aside, endeavor to catch as much football as you can this weekend. It’s a phenomenal round with all the Top 8 playing each other. Catch you all in the match chats!
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Thanks GD, brilliant work as always.
I’m really struggling with the Oliver vs Neale VC choice…
Based on my very basic (and amateur) research, Dees don’t usually give up big SC numbers to oppo mids which has me leaning towards Clarry. Thoughts?
Dees haven’t really been tested at centre bounce and at contest this year, true, but they don’t apply an defensive attention to opposition MIDs either. Thinking Lions get first use with the more in form brigade and no Gawn
If you’re feeling Satan though, go Satan.
Thanks mate, all excellent points.
I’m gonna have a beer and make a late call I think Lol
love the laird c GD
for a smoky vc,
darcy vs silvagni worth a shout?
or guthrie vs tigers?
Both good match ups on paper but wouldn’t have either ahead of Satan, Neale, Macrae or Laird.
Darcy, in particular, is appealing given he nearly double tonned v Blues last year but it was the same deal with the Hawks a few weeks ago and he sub tonned.
Not in full flight, ceiling clipped.
This may be of use in choosing your targets
I think far more useful if you need your C to be passable if the VC fails.
(Player/%tons/% scores[>125])
Cripps, Patrick / 67% / 50%
Oliver, Clayton / 85% / 46%
Witts, Jarrod / 69% / 46%
Macrae, Jack / 77% / 46%
Mills, Callum / 77% / 46%
Neale, Lachie / 92% / 38%
Brayshaw, Andrew / 62% / 38%
Miller, Touk / 77% / 38%
English, Tim / 63% / 38%
Parish, Darcy / 75% / 33%
Walsh, Sam / 75% / 33%
Boak, Travis / 67% / 33%
Steele, Jack / 67% / 33%
Laird doesnt make that list Tortured?
Laird only had 27% above 125
TC – this is gold!
Changed my approach this round because of it… Satan more likely to go big (than Neale) & is therefore a better VC.
That’s fantastic – is that over this year, or what time period?
Just this season
Worried about Laird getting attention from Turner.
Debating between Neale -> Macrae
Or Macrae -> Witts
Oh, shit. Great point, Abs. Completely forgot the Roos used Turner on Jelly the other week. Hmm.
That might be a problem. Laird (mistakenly) not being rated as highly as other MIDs might save him. Sheets as well.
yeah guys..
Keeping this in mind, I’m considering Dawson as a smokey pick v the Roos,
The Defenders have been going HUGE against North, with both Himmelberg and Stewart going ham this year. I just have a feeling Dawson could go big.
Most likely Neale into Dawson for me.
Looks to be a wet day out in Hobart too.. not sure how much that will affect Laird on a day not getting attention, but with the attention from Turner? ooft
Any chance of Miller’s stats Gunboat? Happy enough with a VC of Oliver/Neale, but more of a worry with Macrae as Captain – he’s been a bit & miss lately so feel happier when I can VC him. Miller & Gold Coast with the last game of the round could be a good Captain call?
Hey, Lisa.
Yep, like your logic. Miller’s my favourite non-Eagles player, so always have a soft spot for him.
MILLER v Port
L3 v Port: 107, 111, 127 (115 av.)
L3 @ AO: 78, 98, 96 (91 av.)
Lisa – Macrae’s scores have been off when his role has been changed to playing more outside and less on ball.
With Smith sidelined, I think he will play / be used like last week in his usual role / style … which racks up SC points.
Could be wrong, but just my obs.
Like many others I was struggling with Neale and Oliver too but GD talked me into Neale. No pressure GD!
Laird or Macrae for the C? I like Laird more but Kelly got tagged a few weeks ago by turner which has me worried. However, the Roos have still conceded large scores to mids throughout the year.
TU: Laird
TD: Macrae
Laird is great for SC with his high possession game, but a lot of it is maybe short and not as damaging as others. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Turner go to someone like Dawson instead who is much more damaging.
Neale into Laird will take 120+ Turner likely to go to Dawson as he’s way more damaging than Laird
Nateo.. I’m not too sure Turner has the marking game to go with Dawson.
Turner 179cm
Dawson 192cm.
You would think Turner goes to a midfielder if anyone.
Hi GD,
Thank you for your captains picks again this week!
I like Neale’s MCG record – L3 @ MCG: 157, 190, 140 (162 av.) over Oliver – just. Both will be hitting the contested possessions tonight hard.
Neale will be primed for this match tonight and will run with Viney, but I DON’T think Viney will tag him hard. I am interested to see if Jarrod Berry might do a ‘COOLER’ tag at stoppages against Oliver, negate/stop him from handballing effectively from stoppages to setup Melb runners??? Oliver should still be good though.
Macrae will love playing Hawks at Marvel Stadium.
Like Mills after that, 125 – 130 mark. Mills might run with an underdone Steele.
I’m with you GD….Neale/Macrae looks the goods.
Satan into Macrae for me can’t overlook Satan scoring at MCG
Saran / Witt’s for me
For VC
T/U: Doch
T/D: Neale
Cheers
Neale into Darcy for me at this stage. Not sure if I’ll have it in me to roll the dice on Darcy but a week off and an average ruckman seems perfect for a monster score.
Darcy into Mills.
Witts? Against a ruckless port Adelaide could go big ?
Who to captain now that Neale failed?
Macrae
or
Miller
Cheers
Yep every time I select Neale or macrae this happens lol.
TU-BONT(his floor should match Neale but can go large)
TD-Mills can go large very low floor.
TU: Take Oliver’s 140 as vc
Or
TD: Back Witts to go off as Captain
You take 140 every time. Risk vs reward is too high. Witts might go 170 and you’ve gained 30 points. But that’s a best case scenario. Big risk for 30 points when you can bank Oliver for 280 straight up.
With Crouch out, does that mean Laird tag even more likely?
TU stick with macrae
TD Risk laird
TU: Laird (the premium mid vs NM, tagged? Read somewhere GWS Kelly was tagged by Turner for 111?)
TD: Keays (170-odd last meeting, 150-odd last time in Tas)
Its a tricky one on paper, even though my instincts went Laird with the KISS method.