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.
If I had no one else this weekend, I would strongly consider putting the captaincy on Colby McKercher. Richmond are the easiest team for rebounding defenders to score against, and he posted 111 the last time he faced the Tigers.
Jarrod Witts is a good option this week. GWS have been an easy match-up for rucks over the past few rounds. He scored 118 in his last game and 138 the previous time he played them.
His fantasy form has been disappointing this year, but we’re backing Tristan Xerri to bounce back this weekend. He only managed 80 last week, but that was after a three-week layoff due to suspension. Earlier this year, he scored 155 against Richmond, and opposing ruckman Toby Nankervis is renowned for conceding fantasy points, so back him in.
After a slow start, Isaac Heeney is finishing the season strongly, averaging 110 over his past five games. He faces Geelong this week, who have been a relatively easy match-up for midfielders and forwards. He scored 108 the last time he played them, so hopefully he can get close to that again.
It seems like a theme to back any midfielder against Richmond, and it probably should be given the numbers they’ve conceded recently. Luke Davies-Uniacke is no different. He’s averaging 110 from his past three match-ups against the Tigers, and I reckon he should go close to that again this weekend.
Vice-Captains
For vice-captains, we focus on players featuring in the first two games of the round—guys who fit the same mould 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.
We’ll give Caleb Serong another chance against Brisbane this week after only putting up 93 for us last week. He scored 161 the last time he faced them, and the Lions are an easy match-up for inside mids.
Jack Sinclair faces Essendon, who are the second-easiest team for rebounding defenders. He only scored 104 against them last time, but he’s averaging 113 from his past five games and should be better this week.
Will Ashcroft seems like another no-brainer for vice-captaincy tonight. He’s averaging 109 from his past five games. Fremantle are the fourth-easiest team for inside mids, and he scored 115 the last time he played them.
Callum Wilkie went bananas last week, taking a stack of marks in defence against Richmond. This week should be similar against Essendon, who lack key forward options. He scored an even 100 last time they met, but I reckon he can do better tonight.
With Hunter Clark out of the side tonight, I think Jack Steele returns to the midfield mix. He scored 112 the last time he faced Essendon and is averaging 120.3 from his past three games against them. There is a risk he plays forward, but hopefully he’s back in the midfield and scoring well again.
Streamers
Here 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 loophole, these are the names to consider.
The obvious streamer is Peter Ladhams in Brodie Grundy’s absence. He hasn’t rucked solo for Sydney in a couple of years, but the last time he rucked a full game as the number one ruck, he posted 130 points and had multiple scores in the 70-80 range before that. Expect a 70+ score, so he’ll be handy as a forward option, providing you don’t need to cover Grundy in the ruck.
With Adam Cerra ruled out for the rest of the season, I’d be backing Cooper Lord. He’s getting bulk midfield time at the moment, and that should continue. I’m not expecting another 112 like last week, as Sam Walsh returns this week, but he’s still a viable forward option.
Tim Kelly returned to the midfield last weekend and scored 90 points. He looked good back in that role, and he faces the Western Bulldogs this week, a side he averages 109.3 against over their past three meetings. He scored 98 points the last time they met.
I’m liking Cooper Sharman as a streamer option this week. Essendon are the fourth-easiest team for key forwards to score against. He scored 97 last week against Richmond (third-easiest for key forwards) and put up 112 points the last time he played the Bombers.
Fremantle are the fourth-easiest team for key defenders to score against, and Harris Andrews comes up against them tonight. He’s averaging 92.3 from his past three games against the Dockers and scored 109 last time they met. He’s a viable streaming option if you need a defender.
Want more projections? View the top 20 projected scores of the round here…
