Captains
Picking a captain in keeper leagues can be a challenge, especially if injuries or lack of depth leave you without a standout option. That’s where we come in. Instead of the obvious choices, we’re looking at some under-the-radar captaincy options who could deliver big scores this week.
Matt Rowell has feasted on West Coast in the past, averaging 127 in his last three games against them. He also scored 117 the last time he played at Optus Stadium.
Luke Ryan seems to thrive against Geelong. He racked up 152 the last time they met and is averaging 115.7 in their past three encounters.
Expect Josh Kelly to fire while Tom Green is out, with more midfield time heading his way. He scored 118 last week and has averaged 101.7 against Melbourne in their last three matchups.
Could we see a repeat of the 2024 Grand Final? Dayne Zorko has a solid record against Sydney, scoring 127 on Grand Final Day and averaging 100.3 in their past three meetings.
I’d be backing Finn Callaghan to go big again this weekend. With Tom Green out, he’s getting plenty of centre-bounce attendances. He scored 110 last week and also dropped 121 the last time he played Melbourne.
Vice-Captain
For vice-captains, we focus on players featuring in the first two games of the round—guys who fit the same mold as our captains but aren’t the go-to selections. If you’re looking for an early VC loophole play, we’ve got you covered.
It’s probably a no-brainer, but some coaches might be hesitant to put the C straight on Sam Walsh. Playing on Thursday night makes him a prime VC option. He scored 132 the last time he faced Richmond, and they look like they’ll be leaking points again this year.
Throwing the VC on Tom De Koning wouldn’t be the worst idea. He had 107 the last time he played Richmond and 131 the last time he played at the MCG.
It’s the perfect time to own Toby Nankervis—before he gets injured. He’s averaged 108.7 in his last three against Carlton, so he’s worth a VC punt.
Massimo D’Ambrosio always seems to score well on the wide MCG deck. He’s averaging 104 from his last three games there and faces an Essendon side that has been easy to score against for midfielders.
I reckon Nick Vlastuin can put up a good score. Richmond’s defence will likely slow things down to stem the bleeding, and he’s averaging 107.3 in his last three against Carlton.
Streamers
And finally, for streamers, we highlight players with strong scoring history against their upcoming opponents or other factors that suggest they could be worth a punt. Whether you’re scraping the waiver wire or looking for a sneaky bench boost, these are the names to consider.
Callan Ward has a cushy wing role and has averaged 82 in his last three against Melbourne. He’s worth considering at M7.
Harry Morrison looks to have locked down a wing role at Hawthorn. He scored 91 the last time he played Essendon and has averaged 88 in their last three meetings.
I’m not sure Joel Freijah still qualifies as a streamer, but his biggest career score (115) came against North Melbourne last year. Hopefully, he can repeat the effort.
Jack Billings scored 100 the last time he played against GWS and has posted some big numbers in the preseason. If he avoids the sub vest, he could be a handy streamer.
Strangely enough, Tom Cole scores well against Gold Coast, averaging 87 from their last three meetings. If you’re desperate for a defender, he could be worth a shot.
Want more projections? View the top 20 projected scores of the round here…
