Bandit’s skippers: Round 18 captains to target and avoid

Round 17 was a huge one for lots of coaches, with lots of the top-owned players scoring well and providing excellent captain scores.

Rowan Marshall (149), Errol Gulden (143), Lachie Neale (142), Nick Daicos (139) and Zach Merrett (136) led the way but there was a host of other players who scored 120+ as well.

With just seven rounds to go we’re starting to sort the wheat from the chaff and you can really start to pick the eyes out of your captains based on team match ups and how many points an opposition team concedes to particular types of players, such as midfielders or ruckmen.

Let’s have a look at the best options for Round 18.

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Tim English

I would usually have Bontempelli as the number one Bulldogs option, but English coming up against Tom Hickey this week looks like an easy play. He’s dominated the Swans in recent times and I expect him to do the same again on Thursday night.

Last 3 v SYD: 97, 152, 126

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Marcus Bontempelli

Bont has cracked the ton in his last three games against the Swans and he should go well again at the SCG on Thursday night. If you’re playing a set-and-forget captain, no reason to jump off this week.

Last 3 v SYD: 101, 108, 114

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Errol Gulden

This kid is on fire at the moment and getting back to the SCG this week (where he’s averaging 115.8 and has chalked up two 150+ scores for the year) is reason enough to give him a plug. Nice POD option again this week.

Last 3 v WB: 73, 81, 53

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Lachie Neale

Did as we expected him to last week against West Coast with another 140+ score. He is now sixth for total overall points and climbing, looks like a must-consider option every week. With Dunkley likely to be touch-and-go for Friday night with that calf injury, Neale will likely need to shoulder the load again against the Demons.

Last 3 v MELB: 100, 104, 111

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Christian Petracca

There was a bit of chat from Simon Goodwin after the win over St Kilda that Petracca would play more time forward with Bailey Fritsch injured, which is a bit of a red flag for me. In saying that he had 20 touches and kicked four goals last week, but I think that forward role may not be all that conducive to SC scoring.

Last 3 v STK: 97, 117, 97

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Nick Daicos

Lowest score in the last six weeks has been 118. Lock him in for a blue or orange armband this week.

Last 1 v FREM: 65

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Jack Steele

Is the old Steele back? Had a monster game against Melbourne in a sign that the worst of his injury troubles might be behind him. Also has a very good record against the Suns.

Last 3 v GCS: 131, 110, 124

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Zach Merrett

Seven tons in a row for the Essendon skipper with just one sub-110 score in that period. Geelong don’t mind tagging so bear that in mind this week, but I think he’s a very safe option regardless.

Last 3 v GEEL: 91, 113, 107

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Tom Stewart

You’d be a brave coach to go against Merrett in the same fixture, but Stewart has been rock solid again this year and has a five-round average of 120. Has scored well against Essendon in the past as an added incentive.

Last 3 v ESS: 123, 103, 107

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Jordan Dawson

Very solid against Essendon with 127 SC points and gets a home fixture this week against GWS which looks like a nice match up. Solid POD play later in the round.

Last 3 v GWS: 97, 94, 86

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Rory Laird

Do we dare put the C on him against GWS after the Round 1 horror show? That score is a long way in the rear-view mirror now, I wouldn’t be against captaining him this week if you like him.

Last 3 v GWS: 50, 116, 75

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James Sicily

The Hawthorn skipper returns from suspension this week, could you put the C on him straight away? No reason not to given he’ll be raring to go and the Hawks play North Melbourne, whose players look like they are ready to start planning their end-of-season trips with seven games to go.

Last 3 v NM: 112, 97, 105

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SC BANDIT RECOMMENDS

VC: English / Bontempelli / Neale

C: Daicos / Merrett

Best POD: Sicily