Captaincy Candidates – Round 20

The competition’s strongest scorers against favourable opponents all with strong scoring histories. Let’s get into it.

Captaincy Candidates

Bontempelli v Dons

L3 v Dons: 140, 73, 126

L3 @ MRVL: 174, 133, 177

L3 MID v Dons: 150, 135, 127

First up, BONT! It’ll feel vanilla but like I’ve been saying these last few weeks, Bont simply cannot put the tools down with the Dogs still outside the eight. Exquisite numbers detailed above and probably one you’ll need to take insurance on.

Grundy v Giants:

L3 v Giants: 54, 124, 143

L3 @ ENS: 124, 135, 157

L3 RUC v Giants: 88, 68, 70

Next, barnstorming for AA and the total points lead, Grundy. The big midfielders will overshadow him but Briggs will get a beat down this week. Grundy’s numbers, when I looked into them, were also surprisingly strong at ENS. With a five round average of 154.4, expect the big man to keep cooking.

McCluggage v Suns

L3 v Suns: 127, 91, 139

L3 @ PFS: 91, 94, 113

L3 MID v Lions: 88, 85, 159

Open contest midfield and a high stakes clash. I love this for Cluggers. No Miller also limits the gears the Suns can pull.

Brayshaw v Eagles

L3 v Eagles: 131, 137, 83

L3 @ OS: 121, 84, 103

L3 MID v Eagles: 136, 154, 105

Didn’t love the head gear or the performance last week but this will be right up Brayshaw’s alley. Doesn’t have the double ton ceiling of a lot of other candidates but safe as houses. Serong a similar proposition but Brayshaw more likely to fleece a soft kill.

Smith v Roos

L3 v Roos: 91, 135, 87

L3 @ MRVL: 77, 59, 105

L3 MID v Roos: 197, 84, 133

Been a while between drinks for both the Big Cats but expecting they absolutely feast on SI economy this week. Smith more than due.

Holmes v Roos

L3 v Roos: 80, 87, 83

L3 @ MRVL: 91, 73, 66

L3 MID v Roos: 197, 84, 133

Holmes’ core numbers have been solid but DE has let him down lately. Saturday night a chance to correct course.

Dawson v Port

L3 v Port: 78, 143, 94

L3 @ AO: 88, 98, 108

L3 MID v Port: 68, 74, 122

Dawson will be an understated option this week, especially with top spot opening up for Adelaide. Not the greatest numbers but his form and ceiling has been strong recently.

Daicos v Tigers

L3 v Tigers: 147, 109, 80

L3 @ MCG: 169, 127, 95

L3 MID v Tigers: 122, 96, 100

Daicos put in a monster of a performance against Freo, despite the recent knocks. Pies to give the Tiges a reality check after their commendable win interstate.

Gawn v Saints

L3 v Saints: 110, 180, 84

L3 @ MRVL: 67, 130, 84

L3 RUC v Saints: 28, 154, 140

Hate that I’m going to have to watch this as a non-owner, but Maxxy will towel RoMo – who’s done nothing but unlock ceilings this year. The game being on relatively competitive terms should also help.

Smoky Picks

Rowell v Lions

L3 v Lions: 53, 97, 65

L3 @ PFS: 156, 147, 121

L3 MID v Lions: 126, 131, 113

The high stoppage, contested nature of this marquee Q Clash bodes very nicely for Rowell, who’s been carving it up in mixed conditions lately.

Dunkley v Suns

L3 v Suns: 109, 121, 163

L3 @ PFS: 121, 87, 151

L3 MID v Suns: 88, 85, 159

Similarly, I think Dunkley’s defensive inconspicuous stoppage presence and ground coverage could have him in for a nice spike game here.

Verdict

Wow. What a week. Quite literally the strongest scorers into the softest opponents. Balance looking for ceiling against insurance. Bontempelli into Daicos will be meta purely on the bases of their opponents but do not sleep on Gawn or Grundy. Top five this week I’d have it as:

1. Bontempelli
2. Gawn
3. Daicos
4. Grundy
5. Brayshaw

That said, all the other named candidates will all be capable of some serious firepower. For those turning their focus to leagues, that will also be a consideration. Appreciate those still checking in with the site traffic dying down mirroring the home and away season winding up – this will be the most interesting captaincy round of the season! Best of luck!