Bandit’s skippers: Round 1 captain’s to target and avoid

Round 1 is here! It feels like a long time coming but we can finally put all of our pre-season research to use and get into the real stuff.

Let’s take a look at the best captaincy options for Round 1 to help get your season off to a flyer.

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Sam Docherty

Looks to have the perfect SC role which could see him get back to the type of scoring we saw from him prior to his knee injuries and cancer diagnosis. Had 34 disposals and 153 SC points against the Swans in the practice match and has a good record against the Tigers. A nice left-field VC choice to kick things off.

Last 3 v RICH: 128, 144, 94

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Lachie Neale

He’s not as popular a selection as he was in 2022, but don’t let this stop you from throwing the VC tag on Neale this week. His record against Port Adelaide is elite, so he’s another player who looks like a nice POD VC option.

Last 3 v PORT: 140, 130, 177

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Josh Dunkley

Dunkley was ultra impressive in the Lions’ final pre-season hit out against Geelong, scoring 146 points and looks primed for a massive year in new colours. That being said, his record against Port Adelaide is poor, so for that reason I’m probably looking elsewhere this week.

Last 3 v PORT: 78, 66, 90

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Marcus Bontempelli

Looks like an easy VC pick this week, despite the Bulldogs coming up against Melbourne. Bont was scintillating against North Melbourne in the pre-season, with 27 disposals and two goals culminating in 145 SC points. I’m expecting more of the same this weekend.

Last 3 v MELB: 161, 105, 125

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Clayton Oliver

Much has been made of Oliver’s hand issue and a slight dip in CBAs in the practice match against Richmond, but I wouldn’t be reading too much into those. Oliver is tough as nails and the reality is that once the real games start, coaches want their best players around the ball for as long as possible. If you’re starting him, there’s no reason not to have the VC or C on him this week.

Last 3 v WB: 96, 112, 139

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Josh Kelly

Kelly has had a very good pre-season and looks like he’ll be used primarily as an inside midfielder this season under new coach Adam Kingsley. He gets a nice match up first up in Adelaide, who don’t bat particularly deep in the midfield and is a team Kelly has scored well in the past. Could set up for a nice POD VC play.

Last 3 v ADEL: 153, 129, 107

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Rory Laird

Arguably the safest C option this week in my eyes, despite a moderate record against the Giants. Averaged 124 SC points per game at Adelaide Oval last year, so I’m confident we’ll get a good captaincy score out of him first up. Forms a nice VC/C combo with any of the players previously mentioned (except Kelly obviously) as the Crows play first on Sunday afternoon.

Last 3 v GWS: 116, 75, 122

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Andrew Brayshaw

Brayshaw has dominated the Saints in recent times and I can’t really see that changing despite the threat of a tag from Jack Bytel who blanketed Darcy Parish to good effect in the pre-season. Brayshaw’s soft run of early games could see him up the top of the midfield rankings early with games against St Kilda, North Melbourne, West Coast and Adelaide in the first month making him a nice POD VC/C option.

Last 3 v STK: 132, 189, 112

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Jack Steele

I wasn’t worried about a quieter showing in the pre-season game against Essendon, I expect Steele to properly wind up for the season opener this weekend. He’s shown in the past that he is capable of being an uber-premium and I think playing under Ross Lyon will suit him perfectly. Not someone I’m looking at personally for the VC/C tags this week, but if you’re stuck needing a good score on Sunday he looks like a good candidate.

Last 3 v FREM: 109, 111, 129

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Recommendations

VC: Docherty / Neale

C: Oliver / Bontempelli / Laird