We are back for 2023 – As always, each week we use our AFL Fantasy Projections (available to members of The Keeper League) to find some of the best captain options for your sides.
There are always some obvious captain options, but we’ll try to dig a little deeper to find less popular options due to the widespread nature of players in keeper leagues. If you have the Uber premium players, then please don’t take this article as advice not to put the Captaincy on them.
For the streamer options, I’ll look at some players who perform well historically against their opponents that may not be automatic selections in your side.
Captains
Jarrod Witts may sound a bit speculative, however, he has averaged 108 in his last three games against Sydney. In addition, the Swans are fielding Peter Ladhams off a limited pre-season in Tom Hickey’s absence.
Marcus Bontempelli will be the biggest beneficiary of Josh Dunkley leaving the Western Bulldogs. The Bont had 145 AFL Fantasy points against Melbourne late last year and 111 from his last three encounters against the demons.
Angus Brayshaw should continue to spend time in the Melbourne midfield, especially given the absence of Jack Viney. Brayshaw scored 126 AFL Fantasy against the Bulldogs last season and is averaging 104 in his last three against them.
Dan Houston has averaged 104 against Brisbane in his last three games, which includes a score of 150 in their previous matchup. Houston is Port Adelaide’s primary ball user out of defence and is looking at a huge 2023 season.
James Sicily averaged a whopping 122 AFL Fantasy points from his last three games in season 2022, wrapping up the year with an impressive 150. Essendon’s forward line is undermanned, and I predict Sicily will have a field day against them.
Vice-Captain
Tim Taranto has walked into the Richmond team and automatically become their best midfield option. Taranto had 123 AFL Fantasy points against Carlton last year and is a no-brainer for your VC loophole.
Adam Cerra will always see more of the ball when Sam Walsh is out of the team. Cerra averaged 106 from his last three against Richmond and had 110 against them last year.
Jordan DeGoey has played well against Geelong in recent years, with an average of 104 against the Cats from his last three. He scored 124 AFL Fantasy points against them last year and showed during the pre-season that he is cherry ripe.
Cam Guthrie will be Geelong’s highest-averaging AFL Fantasy player this season and he will kick it off with a 110+ against Collingwood on Friday night. My confidence is boosted by the fact that he has averaged 106 from his last three against the Pies.
Luke Davies-Uniacke had a breakout season last year and looks set to build on that in season 2023. He hasn’t had a great history against the West Coast Eagles, but this week I’d throw those stats out the window and back him in.
Streamers
Jack Silvagni is a really handy stream option as he plays as a high forward and pinch hits in the ruck. The Thursday night game and the Tom De Konig solo ruck situation has me keen to loop him.
Jeremy McGovern has averaged 84 from his last three at Marvel stadium and in Round 1 he has the Larkey-free North Melbourne. He could really go HAM this week and is a safe D5 option.
Tom De Konig is the sole ruck for Carlton on Thursday night, and he had a tasty 88 last time he played at the MCG. He is a great Thursday night loop option. The sky is the limit for this kid.
Brennan Cox comes up against a St Kilda team absolutely devoid of tall forward options, which should see him bank a safe 75+. Cox had 80 the last time he played St Kilda and could well go bigger.
John Noble had 109 on Geelong when they played last year and has averaged 87 against them in their last three matchups. Noble is a reliable scorer and has shown a ceiling against Geelong.
Want more projections? View the top 20 projected scores of the round here…
