Bandit’s skippers: Round 21 captains to target and avoid

Another high-scoring week in Round 20 where many teams benefitted from having big scores from their captains.

You would have been sitting pretty with the likes of Max Gawn (174), Tim English (163), Errol Gulden (152), Christian Petracca (141) and Zach Merrett (139) all posting very healthy scores as coaches looked to play themselves into league finals.

Now that we’re into the league finals stage of the SuperCoach season, it’s never been more important to be nailing your captain picks to get you over the line and keep your season alive. Let’s look at the best options for the week.

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Tim English

The best VC option of the round by far, with three and five-round averages of 156.7 and 145.5! Lock him in tonight.

Last 3 v RICH: 145, 96, 50

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Marcus Bontempelli

Started last week’s game against GWS red hot before Callan Ward put the clamps on. Richmond have indicated they may do similar tonight which is fair enough given his record against the Tigers.

Last 3 v RICH: 122, 136, 107

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Zach Merrett

This looks like a ‘fill your boots’ kind of game for Merrett who could put up a huge score against the worst team in the comp. Averaging 123 from his last five games.

Last 3 v WC: 110, 111, 119

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Rory Laird

The shoulder didn’t seem to concern him much last week on his way to 129 against Port Adelaide in the Showdown. Record against the Suns is solid enough, not much threat of a tag with Touk Miller now suspended.

Last 3 v GCS: 112, 114, 95

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Jordan Dawson

The Crows’ skipper has been so consistent this year, just two scores below 92 in 19 games to date is testament to that. Gets back to Adelaide Oval this week where he’s done the bulk of his scoring this year, looks a safe and semi-unique play.

Last 3 v GCS: 106, 140, 74

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Nick Daicos

Beware the Maginness tag this week, remember the job he did on him in the pre-season? I’m looking elsewhere this week personally.

Last 1 v HAW: 113

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James Sicily

Copped a lot of attention from the Saints last week and couldn’t play his usual intercepting game. Good record against the Pies however, but will they send a defensive forward to him?

Last 3 v COLL: 98, 132, 141

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Tom Stewart

Loves playing Port Adelaide and the Cats will need him to stand up with some experience on the sidelines as they fight for a top eight spot. Could be a nice alternative in a must-win league final.

Last 3 v PORT: 91, 122, 130

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Zak Butters

The Cats have been decimated in the midfield with injury this year and that could open up some opportunity for Butters this week. There is a small tag threat, but I think he can work through it.

Last 3 v GEEL: 99, 106, 118

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Errol Gulden

When this kid is on, he is just so good to watch. Has five scores of 140+ under his belt for the season now and will want to put in another good one against the cross-town rivals. Probably the best smoky pick for the week.

Last 3 v GWS: 119, 131, 97

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Max Gawn

Really coming into his own now as the solo ruckman for Melbourne with a three-round average of 169.7! Great captain option this week if you’re an owner despite a mediocre recent record against the Kangas.

Last 3 v NM: 80, 89, 63

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Luke Davies-Uniacke

This guy is an absolute gun, if he was in a better side I feel like we’d be talking about him a lot more. On the radar for me in 2024 as a starting pick and could be a knockout punch captain for owners this week.

Last 3 v MELB: 97, 97, 23

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Jack Steele

I feel like this is a game where he could really get off the chain and put up a big score. Would be a pretty risky play given his up and down season so far, but it could prove hugely rewarding.

Last 3 v CARL: 54, 107, 158

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Lachie Neale

Will be keen to put in a big performance after a pretty ordinary game last week where Touk Miller got the better of him. Fremantle may opt for a similar approach but I think he’ll work through it this time.

Last 3 v FREM: 124, 87, 171

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Josh Dunkley

It’ll be a sad day in 2024 when he’s no longer available as a forward, but he’s still going to be on my radar as a MID only player next year. Looks like a great backstop option this week if your VC doesn’t fire.

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SC BANDIT RECOMMENDS

VC: English / Merrett

C: Dawson / Gawn / Dunkley

Best POD: Gulden