Captain’s Corner: Round 12, skippers to target and avoid

Last week was a fairly cut-and-dry week on the captaincy front, with many coaches finding at least one score to double up on with success.

Lachie Neale was the star performer of the week with his 164 against GWS, which would have left many coaches pleased. Josh Dunkley’s 143 would also have been a nice result against a hapless West Coast had you gone that way.

A host of popular options also tonned up, but didn’t quite reach the heights of Neale and Dunkley. Sam Walsh (123), Jarrod Witts (119), Rory Laird (118), Max Gawn (118), Callum Mills (117), Patrick Cripps (114) and Clayton Oliver (113) were all serviceable without being amazing.

Despite only six games being played this week, there is still a host of viable captaincy options available for most coaches.

It’s worth pointing out that for loophole purposes over the bye rounds, players who have a bye are only locked once the final game of the round starts, so you can use one of those players as a VC loop if required at any stage before the final game of the week.

With that in mind, here are the top picks for Round 12.

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Tim English

Many coaches would have been hoping for just a moderate score last week to ease himself back into things after injury and illness, but English feasted on West Coast’s depleted ruck stocks and pumped out a massive 160 to push his breakeven down to just 55. Faces Geelong this week, a side known to mix and match their rucks and I can see him having another good game. Don’t worry about his recent record against the Cats.

Last 3 vs GEEL: 65, 54, 77

Marcus Bontempelli

One of the newly minted MID-FWDs on the back of spending a lot more time forward in the last six weeks, you could do a lot worse than trading Bont in this week and chucking the VC on him. Has an elite record against the Cats and if he goes forward, I’m not sure there’s an obvious matchup for him.

Last 3 vs GEEL: 143, 122, 96

Rory Laird

This looks to be one of the statistical plays of the weekend in terms of captaincy picks. Laird faces West Coast this week, who are ranked last in the competition for SC points conceded to midfielders in 2022. I expect he’ll get a fairly easy run at things in this game and should be good for 125+ points.

Last 3 vs WC: 120, 104, 76

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Touk Miller

Speaking of statistical plays, Miller and the Suns take on North Melbourne who are ranked second-last when it comes to SC points conceded to midfielders. I can’t see any obvious threat in terms of a tag, so the Touk Train could be on an express route to 125+ points as well.

Last 3 vs NORTH: 131, 123, 110

Callum Mills

Hard to ignore Mills this week given his most recent game against Melbourne produced a 145. The one knock on him this week might be that without Lance Franklin in the team, Sydney’s chances of winning have been greatly diminished and that could mean less points for the Swans as a team.

Last 3 vs MELB: 145, 66, 89

Clayton Oliver

Finally copped a ‘tag’ for the first time in 2022 when James Aish followed Oliver in the second half of Fremantle’s win over the Dees last week. Do the Swans take the same approach with Melbourne’s star midfielder? If they’re any chance of winning, you would have to think so.

Last 3 vs WC: 125, 130, 87

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Lachie Neale

Comes up against his old mob this week and if his performance against them in 2020 is anything to go by, he could be in for a big day. Neale had 29 disposals and two goals which accumulated to 171 SC points in that game, along with three Brownlow votes. No doubt will be keen to do something similar again this weekend. Looks the best ‘safe’ C option of the week.

Last 2 vs FREM: 171, 79

SC Bandits Recommendations

VC: One of Laird or Miller

C: Neale