Captaincy Candidates – Round 19

Vice-Captaincy Candidates

BRAYSHAW v Tigers

• L3 v Tigers: 190, 63, 36 (96 av.)
• L3 @ MRVL: 132, 87, 132 (117 av.)

It was an uphill battle for Brayshaw to scrape a respectable score last week after no touches until 2 minutes to go in the 1st and persistent looks from Mills at stoppage. Should have a much easier go at it against one of the comp’s leakiest midfields. 120 at a minimum and large if it all falls his way with good efficiency early.

LAIRD v Swans

• L3 v Swans: 121, 88, 89 (99 av.)
• L3 @ SCG: 121, 89, 110 (107 av.)

Being a highly restrictive side with multiple midfield gears sees very few captaincy candidates drawn from match ups against the Swans – Laird however is just simply on another level. 126.5 average, M2, jostling with Satan and Neale and a triple digit floor. Oh, and he laid 20 tackles last week! Hits that consistency again this week for 125.

MILLS v Crows

• L3 v Crows: 93, 85, 49 (76 av.)
• L3 @ SCG: 138, 86, 117 (114 av.)

Enter the man I opted for instead of Laird all those weeks ago. Mills has the highest midfield ceiling of any player but only hits that in certain conditions: soft match up, Swans dominance and the entirety of the game OB. The OB limb has been confounded by the Swans midfield depth and development and Mills utility being shifted onto a wing or as a spare, however the Swans shouldn’t need to move too many magnets against a firmly bottom four Crows side. Looks like a solid match up for 130.

Captaincy Candidates

NEALE v Suns

• L3 v Suns: 108, 64, 151 (108 av.)
• L3 @ G: 89, 135, 123 (116 av.)

Mild attention from Ash last week and still went 120. Doubt the Suns unsettle their midfield to put time into him and should play it straight up. Neale a lock for 130 in what should be a red hot Q Clash.

MILLER v Lions

• L3 v Lions: 99, 115, 80 (98 av.)
• L3 @ G: 115, 122, 80 (106 av.)

Similar to Neale, Miller got ridden by Caldwell last week by still tonned and, impressively, still had 15 CP, 7 tackles and 600 MG – that’s insane for someone tagged in a drubbing. Will be battling it out against Neale to topscore, a 130 for him as well.

SATAN v Dogs

• L3 v Dogs: 112, 144, 139 (132 av.)
• L3 @ MRVL: 178, 166, 139 (161 av.)

If it were a structural injury we’d be easing off Satan for the next few weeks but that thumb is reportedly fine and Satan was given an emphatic green light yesterday. Rarely gets to run out at Marvel but has gone at 160+ in recent outings there and, of course, will fire on all cylinders against a Dogs side just getting rolling. A lock for 125+.

Steer Clear

DAICOS v Dons

• L3 v Dons: 71 (71 av.)
• L3 @ MCG: 99, 93, 112 (101 av.)

For those lucky or prudent enough to have held onto Daicos you’ll be contemplating some cheeky VCs on the run home, however hold fire for this round. He was always set to get attention no matter who he had this week after his performance against the Crows and the Dons have embraced tagging with real success over the last fortnight. Either Caldwell or Guelfi go to him and will seek to curb his influence, likely a 90.

Smoky Pick

Named both of these gentlemen in last week’s article and they vindicated myself and owners nicely. Bont just had a classic Atlas game and the concomitance of Parish’s injury and the Dons late switch to a liberated play style again helped Zerrett. Great match ups and scoring histories for both this weekend, 130s all round.

BONTEMPELLI v Dees

• L3 v Dees: 105, 136, 125 (122 av.)
• L3 @ MRVL: 181, 136, 109 (142 av.)

ZERRETT v Pies

• L3 v Pies: 123, 120, 116 (120 av.)
• L3 @ MCG: 140, 90, 102 (111 av.)

We’ve then got the Saints only constants, Sinclair and Steele, as our final two smoky picks simply by virtue of their quality as players and the fact they’re playing West Coast. We leak galling disposal differentials and get shredded on contested possession, so both should sail to 140s.

SINCLAIR v Eagles

• L3 v Eagles: 96, 66, 86 (83 av.)
• L3 @ OS: 114, 96, 51 (87 av.)

STEELE v Eagles

• L3 v Eagles: 109, 150, 122 (127 av.)
• L3 @ OS: 111, 109, 85 (102 av.)

Verdict

This has been the most confounding write up I’ve done all year. We’re not at all bereft of options but it’s hard to pin down a combination of two given so many players, and popular ones at that, can go large this week. On my end, giving heavy consideration to Brayshaw and Mills as early VCs but currently thinking Satan into Sinclair. Neale and Miller not making the decision any easier either.

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