Captaincy Candidates
Daicos v Blues
L3 v Blues: 101, 150, 100 (117 avg.)
L3 @ MCG: 125, 98, 186 (136 avg.)
A week break should have alleviated some of the interrupted pre-season blues Daicos has played with so far. Like him here to excoriate the system-less Blues engine room. Solid for 130.
De Koning v Pies
L3 v Pies: 90, 26, 75 (64 avg.)
L3 @ MCG: 104, 148, 176 (143 avg.)
TDK really solid for 125+ here. His ATG and contested work remain impeccable and it should be a relatively open HO contest between him and DCam.
Gawn v Cats
L3 v Cats: 111, 92, 98 (100 avg.)
L3 @ GMHBA: 92, 98, 159 (116 avg.)
If the Cats entrust the SDK with the role again, on paper Maxxy should savage him for 140. Just tough with how dreadful the Dees have been.
Dunkley v Tigers
L3 v Tigers: 115, 107, 103 (108 avg.)
L3 @ MCG: 108, 122, 148 (126 avg.)
You’d prefer them to be up at the Gabba but still a great match up. 120 at a minimum.
Zorko v Tigers
L3 v Tigers: 161, 85, 117 (121 avg.)
L3 @ MCG: 108, 116, 72 (97 avg.)
Same deal as Dunkley. Even an argument to have Borko over Dunks after the tear Sinc went on off of HB last week.
Xerri v Swans
L3 v Swans: 111, 46 (79 avg.)
L3 @ MRVL: 136, 122, 141 (133 avg.)
Ran laps instead of completing main training today but if deemed good to go I still like the match up of the Swans at home; their midfield is sparse and Grundy tends to fade. On for 130 if he’s good to go.
Whitfield v Eagles
L3 v Eagles: 124, 110, 105 (113 avg.)
L3 @ ENS: 111, 106, 137 (118 avg.)
Obligatory MID/HB v Eagles. Whitty was rock solid last week until the Hawks arrested control of the game and conditions. That is decidedly something West Coast are not capable of doing. Sails to 120, with scope for more if the Giants defence pitch a tent in the middle of the ground.
Sinclair v Port
L3 v Port: 143, 113, 109 (122 avg.)
L3 @ AO: 95, 88, 113 (99 avg.)
He’s savaged two good match ups in Melbourne and on the back of that form and his previous numbers gets a shout in Adelaide.
Smoky Picks
Holmes v Dees
L3 v Dees: 113, 73, 75 (87 avg.)
L3 @ GMHBA: 125, 121, 69 (105 avg.)
If the Dees don’t come out swinging and stay the same soft kill they’ve been for the first few weeks, Holmes could absolutely go off at home. Of course tons, ceiling for 140+. If you’re feeling really fruity, I can also see Smith carving it up on the outside.
Neale v Tigers
L3 v Tigers: 162, 143, 110 (138 avg.)
L3 @ MCG: 123, 109, 75 (102 avg.)
He’s a smoky this week because he almost certainly gets McIntosh. McIntosh is breakable and far from the tightest of taggers – Cripps and Macrae shook him – but Neale has shown little by way of resisting defensive attention, as owners well know. That said, it’s still Richmond and Neale has carved against them before. One I’d only consider as a VC with full expectation and preparation for it to perhaps not work. Just might be worth going one of the best MIDs into one of the best SC midfields.
Callaghan v Eagles
L3 v Eagles: 56, 45 (51 avg.)
L3 @ ENS: 144, 82, 84 (103 avg.)
Spicier even, is Cally. Got harassed by Maginness last week but the Eagles at home will be a nice reprieve. I’ve honestly got him going 115 at a minimum just by virtue of being OB. Can go larger if he keeps it clean.
Serong v Footscray
L3 v Footscray: 96, 140, 130 (122 avg.)
L3 @ OS: 105, 99, 109 (104 avg.)
Finally, I quite like Serong to cap things off. Understated numbers against the Dogs, strong last week and one of the few candidates playing at home this week. Solid for 120.
Steer Clear
Suns v Crows
I wouldn’t bother trying decipher who pops here. The game will likely be fought in the trenches, which maybe is nice for Rowell, but I reckon kick back, enjoy the game and find a VC/C elsewhere.
Rozee v Saints
L3 v Saints: 103, 91, 96 (97 avg.)
L3 @ AO: 130, 96, 108 (111 avg.)
The spectre of Windhager coupled with his disgraceful effort last week renders Rozee a pass.
Verdict
A pretty agonizing one of my end. Currently have Borko into Whitfield, just deciding whether to bestow some confidence in Maxxy. The match up is spectacular but worry he’s playing with one arm tied behind his back under the current Dees regime. Normatively speaking, TDK should be an excellent choice tonight.
Thanks GD, I hang out for this every week!
Left-field… is there a world where Oliver at GMHBA goes off? Staring down the barrel, amazing record at the ground, and against the oppo…?
Oooo. Now THAT is interesting, Pana. His numbers are banging.
Cats have been a good midfield to crash into and Dees will have ascendancy in the ruck. Hmm.
Only problem is Atkins tagged Neale last week and either starts on Satan or gets put onto him if he’s cooking.
Excoriate- synonyms
Flay ,rip into,tear into,lay into, harshly scold
Figurative use- a scolding so severe that it’s
Compared to getting your skin stripped of.
Usually in public
Hey GD, I’m a huge reader and I had to look that one up.
Keep up the great work
Excellent point mate. Atkins did an amazing job and found his own footy too.
Gah! We’ll see how brave I’m feeling… otherwise it’ll probably be Holmes into Dunkley.
Holmes into sinclair for me.
Thanks GD great write up again.
What’s Heeney’s profile like this week? Feel like he’s due for one of his 30-disposal, 2-goal performances, fresh off a week’s rest as well. North are improved but still seem susceptible to leaking big midfield scores. Thoughts?
Hey, GK.
HEENEY v Roos
L3 v Roos: 83, 121, 131
L3 @ MRVL: 117, 127, 94
Kinda does feel like he’s due. And off the bye.
Do it!
Neale >Dale for me this week
Seeing as I’m holding Gawn, gotta give him a crack.
Gawn into Zorko for me
I’ve go the big fella as well. He has to go big this week.
He’s due for a double ton
Reckon Satan. Trac and Max have all something to prove. Big Max v then any of 5/6 for c .
TDK tonight into Big Max against SDK
Great write up GD and I’m thinking of doubling down on my poor starting premos and doing Gawn into Neale
Me too.
Thought Neale into Jack Macrae any love there, what can go wrong
TU: Neale
TD: Zorko
Same team???
I’ve gone Naicos into Neale. Got a feeling Neale will run riot on the G no matter the attention he’ll get…
I say that with fingers crossed and a good deal of nervousness!!
Neale is a safebet
Zorko into Macrae for me.
TDK no good, Captain?
TU – Neale
TD – Gawn
TU – Neale
TD – Macrae