Just a quick apology for last week. A pretty sub par week for the established VC/C options, which wasn’t helped by my analysis. We’ll chalk it up to a couple of out of character premo performances and a decrease in stoppages from the competition average of 63 over the last 5 years to 49 in Round 1. Also, got a little more commentary than usual – there’s some interesting developments to track and contextualize.
Vice-Captaincy Candidates
NEALE v Cats
- L3 v Cats: 133, 103, 132 (123 av.)
- L3 @ GMHBA: 132, 94, 108 (111 av.)
Had Neale as the Steer Clear last week, tick. As expected, he looked underdone, got attention at stoppages and, add to that, the Swans were all over the Lions. They’d like to have given him another game or two take it easy, but Fagan will need Neale firing on all cylinders. Can see him clicking into gear for 120.
STEELE v Dees
- L3 v Dees: 151, 121, 103 (125 av.)
- L3 @ MRVL: 136, 114, 137 (129 av.)
Had an electric first half before he started to get a soft tag from Coniglio last round. Got a great record against the Dees and loves Marvel. Lock him in 125 in what will hopefully be a hotly contested game.
GAWN v Saints
- L3 v Saints: 135, 133, 126 (131 av.)
- L3 @ MRVL: 184, 133, 139 (152 av.)
Excruciatingly underwhelming last week to say the least. The confluence of Freo MIDs sharking his HOs, a terrible new FWD-esque role and second fiddle Luke Jackson in a low stoppage game condemned Big Maxxy to a sub ton. Gawn will eat Hunter this week, that’s not the issue, just need the Dees MIDs to get on the end of his work, more stoppages and a role correction to some degree. Can easily do 130 if that happens.
Captaincy Candidates
SATAN v Saints
- L3 v Saints: 134, 126, 108 (123 av.)
- L3 @ MRVL: 127, 126, 124 (126 av.)
Gawn feasting on HOs will provide Satan with some great service. A little hard done by CD last week, but expect nothing short of 120 this week with an outside chance he goes large.
MITCHELL v Tigers
- L3 v Tigers: 96, 149, 128 (124 av.)
- L3 @ MCG: 96, 119, 102 (106 av.)
Looked close to his accumulating best last week despite negligible clearance work and playing against a choking Dons side (sorry, Wighty!). Tigers leak large MID scores, so on accumulation alone and win or loss Titch should sail to 125.
MACRAE v Eagles
- L3 v Eagles: 117, 84, 142 (114 av.)
- L3 @ MRVL: 90, 133, 93 (105 av.)
Inability to hit a target and sloppy DE capped Macrae last week, but team high CBAs, 35 touches and 7 tackles showed him to be back to his best. Eagles engine room is seriously depleted, Macrae a lock for 130. Bont and Dunkley also viable options.
Steer Clear
GRUNDY v Blues
- L3 v Blues: 127, 141, 154 (141 av.)
- L3 @ MCG: 70, 151, 103 (108 av.)
Feels wrong giving Grundy the Steer Clear with a 141 av. against the Blues, but he was poor last week: low TOG to start the game (as low as 67%), minimal work around the ground and had a ridiculous amount of his HOs sharked. Add to that, this week Buckley said Grundy spent TOO much time in the ruck and will look to use Cox in the ruck more. None of that bodes well for SC, not least against a hungry Blues midfield. Can see Grundy capped at a low-ton. If you like a Thursday VC, I’d honestly go Cripps or…
Smoky Pick
WALSH v Pies
- L3 v Pies: 113, 73 (93 av.)
- L3 @ MCG: 122, 99, 55 (92 av.)
Really relishing the inside MID role and put together 31 touches, 13 contested at 87% efficiency last week. With eyes locked on Cripps at stoppages and CBs, Walsh could sneak under the radar for another 120+.
Verdict
Gawn into Macrae for me this week.
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Thanks GD – I had planned Gawn into Macrae, hopefully a good result for us both.
Yep, lock and load.
No love for Dusty again GD?
Gawn into Dusty for me.
Not so much “no love” just tricky to get a read on when he’ll pop off, Stewy.
Hawks also gave Zerrett some attention after HT, suspect they start with someone on Dusty, here are his stats nevertheless:
MARTIN v Hawks
L3 v Hawks: 128, 93, 119 (113 av.)
L3 @ MCG: 158, 93, 79 (110 av.)
He comes in to replace Danger for me this week, so will be rooting for him as my F2 and your C.
Good luck!
I’m doing this too
Neale into Gawn for me this week. Backing them both to bounce back. Thinking about Grundy due to his history but so much unknown with him and Collingwood at the moment
Gawn couldn’t eat meat last week, ah sorry meek, and until Melbourne get a couple of their big forwards back he’ll spend some time forward like last week.. He’s a no for me.
Cheeky LLoyd into Gawn or Dusty…depends how the round pans out.
Only problem I have with Gawn into Macrae will be needing one of the Sunday rookies to be dropped, if Gawn goes big. Otherwise I don’t have a loophole. I liked the idea of all rookies getting games to make the $, but not having a loophole player is problematic.
Yeah, if you’ve got Fyfe (GCS) as a loop you’ll have to decide whether to take VC Gawn after a quarter and a bit.
Assume a couple people have Treacy available as well.
Agree Lisa……should have had a hawk as c loop but somehow ended up with a Nth dud…doesnt help this round which is why I can’t have v on Gawn without wasting a trade. Decided to now put v on Cripps tonight…..he is due.
Neale into Titch 125 passmark
How about Bont?
Yep, said any of the Big Dogs are viable for the same reasons as Macrae.
Here are his stats:
BONTEMPELLI v Eagles
L3 v Eagles: 106, 73, 102 (94 av.)
L3 @ MRVL: 55, 97, 94 (82 av.)
Going to pLAY vc gawn C Dusty! Hope he can go big aganist Hawks
I think you mean Gawn will eat Hunter; not Flynn? Haha
Ah! Sorry, yes. Keep confusing them lol.
Cheers, Kieran.
Want to VC Gawn but my loop (Comben) means it’s not viable.
Any thoughts on?
TU: Lloyd (vs ADL)
TD: Merrett (vs PTA)
CMT: Laird (vs SYD)
Fortunately or unfortunately I have no loopholes (at this stage) for the second week running so have to commit to a VC and C, bit like old school Supercoach.
At this stage am backing Macrae as C, will VC Neale incase a loophole becomes available over the Saturday or Sunday games.
However, if Sharp (Bris) gets dropped it opens up a loophole for tonight’s game but with limited options, who do we think is most likely to crack 115 tonight?
TU – Cripps
TD – Grundy
Love this thread GD.
Not sure if I will have a loop hole this week as all my 30 players may play
May go Cripps into Oliver .
Will know soon if Sharp is named .
If Sharp not named could give me a handy loop for Cripps if he goes large or Dow if he has a shocker .
Gawn as captain last week burnt me but figure if Gawn has a great game so will Oliver .
Looking like Walsh into Gawn this week. Unsure whether I will have a loophole though so it currently looking like it will end up Gawn no matter what score Walsh produces
Walsh and Cripps just ok so easy call now Nato
Wirh return of Grundy to scoring may have to also jump on Gawn as Captain wirh ruchs back
Thanks GD
Looking like Neale into Gawn for me.
Who for C?
TU Callum Mills v Crows
TD Zac Merritt v Power
Thanks
Don’t have any of the options named in the article, Rory?
Zerrett safe for a ton but won’t go large v Port. Mills interesting, has that inside MID role but haven’t seen enough of him to entrust him with VC/C just yet.
Thanks for the reply GD. Only really Maxy. I VC’d Walsh
Thanks as always for all you do on this site GD but I have to tell you that your push to call Oliver Satan irritates me every time I read it. Thought I mighta got over it by now but I must be getting old or something coz that ain’t happened.
I’m not religious and I knows it’s all tongue in. cheek stuff but I just wondered if I’m the only one?
Like I say, I am actually a fan of yours – just not that bit.
Free world though so all the best.
It’s a slippery slope when you are half way up the high moral ground. Perhaps reflect on your choice of name if you are so concerned about the sensitivity of others. My apologies to anyone who is irritated at my moniker which could be construed as condoning the consumption of multiple beers. Far Canal!
Yeah I agree – it’s a slippery moral slope if you take it that way. I don’t think I was being all moral, I just think it’s a shit name to call a bloke. I could say especially for one that performs so well in SuperCoach terms but it really doesn’t matter. Shit name anytime.
Don’t mind your moniker either for what it’s worth.