Final say: Round 20 tactics, trades, skippers

This time last week I was lamenting 2,194. This week I’m lamenting a 2,641 – what a change a week makes!

It’s not that the 2,641 was bad (they never are), it’s just that it could have been much higher. Captaining Jordan Dawson over James Sicily cost 56 points; no Jack Steele hurt, no Max Gawn continues to be a pain, trading out Harry Sheezel early was a terrible mistake, Rory Laird is approaching never again areas.

Still, I’m not one to turn my nose up at a ranking of 2.066 for the round and a jump back up to 4,500th overall. 

With a low score of 98 (thanks again Mason Redman), my 6 on-field defenders averaged a scarcely-believable 132 points a pop last week. Sicily’s 171, Docherty’s 156 and Stewart’s 152 certainly helped the cause.

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Shout out to Rowan Marshall for grinding through an injury to still manage 124, ruck scoring has become essential given the Gawn-splosion we’re seeing to finish the season.

I was lucky enough to see Darcy Cameron’s 135 in person on Saturday night; it was clinical. The big man tore apart Scott Lycett and Jeremy Finlayson with 45 hitouts and it felt like (and apparently actually was the case) that most of them were to advantage. He sure owed us owners one and hopefully it continues tonight against Carlton.

Really the only downside for the week (aside from fielding Maric to cover Laird) was the poor performance of Errol Gulden, but given the last month (and really the entire season) that he’s had, I’m giving him a one-week-only get out of gaol free card.

Can I dare to dream of back-to-back 2600+ scores?…

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Strategy

1 trade left, $197,700 in the bank.

Suddenly things aren’t looking quite as grim as they were last week. With Jordan Ridley out for the foreseeable future, Mason Redman as a D6 option could be a lot worse. James Sicily at just 15% ownership at this point in the season (particularly given a lot of those teams will be ghost-shipping) feels like a crucial POD.

Kieren Briggs as R2 is starting to become a problem. The big guy has been fantastic, but has a 5-round average now of just 99 and a 3-round average of 92. When compared to the 3-round averages of Tim English (146), Max Gawn (140) and even Jarrod Witts (116) you can see the issue.

That being said – the Giants have come up against potentially the four toughest ruck units in the league in the last month (Hawthorn, Melbourne, Adelaide and the Gold Coast). After getting through Tim English this week he then gets a few soft kills against Sydney, Port and Essendon. I’m going to wait it out.

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Watchlist

A few guys taking my eye this week! With every trade essential on the run home, the importance of nailing your last upgrade/sideways trades is only getting higher.

Sam Taylor ($523k, Def)

Shout out to the SuperCoach Bandit for this one – it’s genuinely impossible to believe that Taylor is in just 1,073 teams. 

The Giants’ most underrated star is going at 123 in his last 3 and 106 in his last 5. He’s that rare breed of jet that I bet a decent clip of AFL fans couldn’t pick out of a line up.

Get yourself on the right side of history and bring this guy in!

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Darcy Moore ($536k, Def)

We have been utterly blessed this season with defenders – it says a lot when a guy averaging 97 for the season and who’s played in every single game is in just 4% of teams by Round 20.

The Pies’ captain is a real-world star and seems to be becoming a SuperCoach star as well. He’s now backed up a run of 5-straight tons from Rounds 6 – 10 with 4-straight tons from Rounds 16 – 19. The Pies have a few biggg games on the home stretch so you’d have to think Moore is heavily involved.

Could be a great POD for the last month, or even worth a look in 2024.

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Peter Wright ($401k, Fwd)

“Eddie, take your Bombers hat off, 2MP is a key forward on a sh*t team, what’s the point of this?”

Duly noted. The Dons play an undersized Swans lineup under the lid at Marvel this week. They then get maybe the sweetest back-to-back matchup in AFL history, taking on the Eagles (whom Charlie Curnow just kicked 10 on) and the Kangaroos, both under the lid at Marvel as well.

If 2MP kicks 20 goals over the next three weeks of footy, don’t be surprised is all I’m saying.

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Eddie’s Captains

Nick Daicos: The man’s a star, but watch out for George Hewett tag on him. His three career games against the Blues have been solid but not spectacular. I’m cautiously staying away.

Sam Docherty: With no Walsh and injuries galore through the Carlton midfield, Doch is likely to get more action through the guts. Could be a ballsy but smart VC choice tonight.

Tom Stewart: Hard to believe Stew is getting CBAs, but here we are. He faces a Freo side who’ve leaked midfield and defensive points all year and has a great track record against them. I will be VCing Stewart.

Tim English: Flying high with an average of 139.4 in the last five games. GWS leaks points to rucks and Timmy is approaching perma-captain status. Don’t overthink it.

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Marcus Bontempelli: Despite some calf trouble, Bont is a safe VC choice, especially against the Giants, who he relishes destroying more than most.

Josh Dunkley: After a couple of weeks off, Dunkley’s back and ready to shine against the Suns. He’s got a great history against them and will love the slippery, contested footy in the QClash.

Zach Merrett: Might cop a tag, so captain with caution. But if you’re looking for a POD, Merrett’s your guy.

Errol Gulden: Had a rough game last week, but he usually bounces back strong. Watch his role this week.

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Luke Parker: Fresh off a big score, he might be worth a punt as a VC option against Essendon.

Jordan Dawson: On fire with an average of 123.8 in the last five rounds. Seems to love playing in Showdowns.

James Sicily: Sic Dawg is back in form and could do some damage against St. Kilda if they let him off the leash.

Max Gawn: If Grundy doesn’t play, Gawn is the go-to captain against Richmond. He’s got an outstanding record against them with a 124 career average. Which is nuts.

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Vice Captains

1. Tim English
2. Tom Stewart
3. Sam Docherty

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Captains

1. Josh Dunkley
2. Jordan Dawson
3. James Sicily.