Left Field Captain Options
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 are averaging under 100 who could deliver big scores this week.
This week, we’re leaning more heavily into matchup first. Recent form still matters, but the biggest focus is on players who either have a strong role-based matchup or a proven scoring history against their upcoming opponent.
Bailey J. Williams comes up against Collingwood this week and looks like one of the better matchup-based options on the slate. His season average sits at 82.6, keeping him well under the sub-100 captain target, and Collingwood have been one of the easiest teams for rucks to score against, conceding +16.1 points above average over their last five games. He also scored 106 the last time he played the Pies.
Darcy Cameron faces West Coast this week. His season average sits at 89.9, and his form has been excellent, averaging 109.6 across his last five and 119.7 across his last three. He also scored 124 the last time he played West Coast, giving him both form and opponent history.
Touk Miller comes up against GWS this week. His season average sits at 87.1, keeping him comfortably under the target, and the matchup is the main reason he makes the cut. GWS have been one of the easiest teams for mid-forward types to score against, conceding +12.1 points above average over the last five games. He also averages 107.3 across his last three against the Giants.
Clayton Oliver faces Gold Coast this week. His season average sits at 97.9, so he still fits the brief, and the matchup works in his favour. Gold Coast have been a favourable matchup for inside mids, conceding +7.0 points above average over their last five games. He also scored 104 the last time he played the Suns.
Andrew Brayshaw comes up against Melbourne this week. This one is more about matchup history than role concession, but the record is too strong to ignore. His season average sits at 95.2, and he scored 132 the last time he played Melbourne while averaging 119.3 across his last three against them.
Vice-Captain Options
For vice-captains, we focus on players featuring in the Thursday and Friday night games. This week that means Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne and Brisbane v Hawthorn, giving us a few early-loop options with strong matchup or opponent-history appeal.
Luke Parker comes up against the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night. His season average sits at 94.3, keeping him under the sub-100 VC target, and the matchup is the big factor. The Bulldogs have been one of the easiest teams for medium defenders to score against, conceding +13.7 points above average over their last five games.
Caleb Daniel also faces the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night. His season average sits at 89.7, and he gets a similar role-based matchup, with the Bulldogs giving up points to medium defenders. He’s not a massive ceiling play, but the matchup makes him a really solid early VC option.
Josh Dunkley takes on Hawthorn on Friday night. His season average sits at 92.7, and while there isn’t a specific role concession note attached, the form and history are hard to ignore. He’s averaging 108.0 across his last five and 116.7 across his last three, while also scoring 136 the last time he played the Hawks.
Tristan Xerri faces the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night. His season average sits at 95.7, and he has a strong record in this matchup, scoring 96 the last time he played the Dogs and averaging 115.7 across his last three against them. That sort of opponent history gives him a genuine VC case.
Tim English comes up against North Melbourne on Thursday night. His season average sits at 87.5, keeping him well under the target, and he has a useful matchup history. He scored 116 the last time he played North and averages 95.0 across his last three against them, making him a solid early ruck option.
Streamers
Here we highlight players with strong scoring histories against their upcoming opponents, or other factors suggesting they could be worth a punt. Whether you’re scraping the waiver wire or looking for a sneaky bench loophole, these are the names to consider.
Billy Dowling comes up against Richmond and is projected for 78.0. He’s started in just 4.0% of leagues, so he should be available in most formats, and the matchup is outstanding. Richmond have been one of the easiest teams for mid-forward types to score against, conceding +20.0 points above average over their last five games. If he holds his spot, he could score well again.
Ryan Angwin faces Gold Coast and is projected for 70.3. He’s started in just 24.9% of leagues and gets a strong role-based matchup, with the Suns conceding +8.7 points above average to wingers over their last five games. If you’re chasing a matchup play, he’s firmly in the mix.
Tom McCartin comes up against Port Adelaide and is projected for 73.8. He’s started in 54.8% of leagues, so availability may vary, but the matchup is strong. Port have been one of the easiest teams for key defenders to score against, conceding +9.2 points above average over the last five games.
Jack Graham faces Collingwood and is projected for 72.3. He’s started in 58.1% of leagues and has some handy recent scoring, averaging 77.7 across his last three. Collingwood have also been a favourable matchup for mid-forward types, conceding +6.6 points above average over their last five games.
Daniel McStay comes up against West Coast and is projected for 72.0. He’s started in just 3.6% of leagues, so he should be available in most formats, and the matchup works in his favour. West Coast have been a favourable matchup for key forwards, while McStay is also averaging 87.3 across his last three.
