Vice-Captaincy Candidates
SATAN v Cats
- L3 v Cats: 159, 130, 111 (133 av.)
- L3 @ GMHBA: 159, 141, 127 (142 av.)
Nearly put up a third consecutive double ton against the Crows at AO last week: 36 touches, 19 contested and 13 tackles. Strong history against the Cats in those high stakes match-ups and even goes really well at GMHBA, which is a tough dance for premo MIDs. Solid for a 130 while he’s in this kind of form.
MACRAE v Swans
- L3 v Swans: 92, 116, 92 (100 av.)
- L3 @ SCG: 92, 123, 68 (94 av.)
Another low ton from Macrae last week. Very disappointing. Swans starting to get a little leaky on ball, so a shot for 125 if you’re out some of the early options.
MILLER v Tigers
- L3 v Tigers: 153, 124, 79 (119 av.)
- L3 @ MS: 153, 100, 130 (128 av.)
Drilled a 150 last week with 10 tackles and a 58% CP ratio. Up against a similar opposition midfield at home again this week, so should be solid for 130+.
Captaincy Candidates
NEALE v Dons
- L3 v Dons: 198, 157, 157 (171 av.)
- L3 @ G: 135, 123, 164 (141 av.)
With a 171 average against the Dons and 141 at home makes Neale the pick of the round. He’s a must figure in your calculations and will sail to 140.
LAIRD v Hawks
- L3 v Hawks: 178, 111, 102 (130 av.)
- L3 @ MRVL: 123, 143, 178 (148 av.)
Firmly entrenched as M3, rocking a career high 124.5 and going to town on match ups you’d expect him to, Laird is what all premium midfielders should be. Tremendous match up stats against a Hawks outfit that’s been delicious to VC/C into all year. A lock for 14o.
WALSH v Eagles
- L3 v Eagles: 124, 114, 113 (117 av.)
- L3 @ OS: 106, 123, 114 (114 av.)
Racking up some insane numbers over the last few weeks and should feast on a Eagles side with huge ground ball and contested possession deficits. Turns the jets on for 130.
Steer Clear
DARCY v Saints
- L3 v Dockers: 72, 61, 49 (61 av.)
- L3 @ MRVL: 117, 121, 90 (109 av.)
Match ups he would’ve gone 170+ in last year have just been 120s this season. Nowhere near full flight, so doesn’t have that ceiling and not worthy of consideration. Likely another low-ton this week.
Smoky Pick
SICILY v Crows
- L3 v Crows: 100, 115, 93 (103 av.)
- L3 @ MRVL: 87, 132, 114 (111 av.)
Crows leaking a lot of ball I50, most recently feeding May and Lever and Hall’s 153 the week before. If you don’t have Laird and want to guarantee Neale’s score by VC-ing him, Sicily makes a great smoky fall back solid for 120.
Verdict
Pick any two of Satan, Neale and Laird this week. Tools down.
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Don’t be surprised if Cats use Atkins to tag Oliver tonight
Oliver into Neale the safe play.
Gut says Neale into Laird (if Clark loop is available)
Missed on Oliver last week which hurt so not making that mistake again. Oliver into Neale with a 130+ pass mark. Good luck all
Had VC Oliver into C Miller up until reading this article.
Impossible to go past Oliver currently but will be a tough captain call.
TU – Miller v Tigers
TD – Neale v Dons
Just thinking if they pay attention to Oliver, Trac could get naughty again. Any numbers? Thanks in advance
PETRACCA v Cats
L3 v Cats: 85, 146, 89 (107 av.)
L3 @ GMHBA: 85, 83, 101 (90 av.)
Thanks GD will steer clear even though past performance isn’t an indicator of future performance lol
Oliver into Neale. Laird very tempting also.. will take 125
Thats the way I’m going Nateo.
Neale into Laird will be cutting it pretty fine as Adelaides game starts before the Brisbane game ends. We won’t know final scores before needing to make a call.
What about 124 Nateo ? 😉
Hi GD,
Thank you again for your help with Captain options 🙂
Cats v Demons: Mark O’Connor or C Guthrie: Could both play as a cooler/tagger role on either – Oliver or Petracca?
Neale into Laird for me – these match-ups for these guys are just ideal. Neale loves playing Essendon.
Touk v Tigers is good as both midfields won’t tag. Touk tackling again which is great.
I’m thinking Neale into Laird….both on Sunday so have to decide by 3/4 time in Laird game.
Yeah thats a tough one.
Theres been some 50 point last qtrs and some 10 point ones. We won’t know scaling either. It’s a pretty risky move.
What about Walsh as a back up option if Neale is looking good and then flops in the last quarter
Touk into Neale for me
Brayshaw 189 vs st Kilda last time round. Along with a 112 and 122. Smokey?
Brayshaw into Neale at this stage. Oliver may get a little bit of attention tonight. Also may not though and will go 150+ and burn me. I just want to be different.
Oliver into Neale with thoughts of Laird as a maybe.
Haven’t hit a V since round 2, does anyone have a read on how effective tags have been on Satan this year?
Scott is 100% going to tag him, because he hates us all.
Lots of health/safety protocols and injuries for Brisbane. No Zorko, Rich, Andrews, Berry, McStay, Coleman. Pretty much their whole backline.
Does this change anyone’s views on captaining Neale?
T/U Stick with Neale
T/D Captain Laird instead
Do you take Oliver’s 124 or wait for Neale’s score?
125 is usually the mark but a bird in the hand is tempting.
TU take Oliver’s score
TD be greedy and risky and go for Neale’s.
Hickey out:
TU – VC English tonight
TD – stick to plan with VC on Miller