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 heavily into the matchup data. Points conceded to role is the biggest factor, followed by scoring history against the opponent and recent form. Venue history is only being used as a tiebreaker.
Tristan Xerri comes up against Geelong this week and looks like the standout matchup-based captain option. His season average sits at 95.4, keeping him under the sub-100 captain target, and Geelong have been one of the easiest teams for rucks to score against, conceding +16.0 points above average over their last five games. He also scored 131 the last time he played the Cats and averages 131.3 across his last three against them.
Darcy Wilson faces Richmond this week. His season average sits at 85.2, keeping him comfortably under the target, and the matchup is the key reason he makes the cut. Richmond have been one of the easiest teams for mid-forward types to score against, conceding +17.5 points above average over the last five games. He’s also averaging 96.2 across his last five, so the form is there too.
Tom Sparrow comes up against Port Adelaide this week. His season average sits at 94.0, and he has both form and matchup on his side. Port have been a favourable matchup for inside mids, conceding +7.8 points above average over their last five games, while Sparrow is averaging 110.8 across his last five and 109.7 across his last three.
Tim Kelly takes on GWS this week. His season average sits at 83.9, which keeps him well under the sub-100 mark, and the matchup gives him a nice scoring path. GWS have been a favourable matchup for inside mids, conceding +7.5 points above average over the last five games. He’s also averaging 101.3 across his last three and scored 101 the last time he played the Giants.
Matt Rowell comes up against Brisbane this week. There isn’t a role-based concession note attached, but the form is too strong to ignore. His season average sits at 98.6, and he’s averaging 121.4 across his last five and 134.0 across his last three. He also averages 106.3 across his last three against Brisbane, giving him enough matchup history to round out the top five.
Vice-Captain Options
For vice-captains, we focus on players featuring in the early game. This week there’s only one VC match, with Fremantle hosting Adelaide on Friday night, so the pool is a little thinner than usual.
Caleb Serong comes up against Adelaide on Friday night. His season average sits at 92.4, and while there isn’t a role-based concession note attached, his recent scoring and matchup history are strong. He’s averaging 100.6 across his last five, scored 124 the last time he played Adelaide, and averages 105.7 across his last three against them.
Andrew Brayshaw also faces Adelaide on Friday night. His season average sits at 94.1, keeping him under the target, and he has some useful history in this matchup. He scored 103 the last time he played the Crows and averages 104.7 across his last three against them. He’s a steady VC option rather than a pure ceiling play.
Izak Rankine comes up against Fremantle on Friday night. His season average sits at 92.3, and his recent form gives him a clear upside case. He’s averaging 118.4 across his last five and 120.7 across his last three. The matchup data isn’t doing the heavy lifting here, but the form is strong enough to consider him.
Matthew Johnson faces Adelaide and is more of a left-field VC option. He’s not a traditional captaincy type, but his recent form is excellent, averaging 92.2 across his last five and 97.7 across his last three. He also averages 81.7 across his last three against Adelaide, so he’s a deeper early-loop option if you’re short on choices.
Sam Berry takes on Fremantle on Friday night. His season average sits at 94.5, and he’s averaging 98.2 across his last five. He doesn’t have the same matchup or ceiling case as some of the others, but with only one Friday game, he still sits in the VC mix if you need an early swing.
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.
Nick Haynes comes up against the Western Bulldogs and is projected for 80.1. He’s started in just 47.1% of leagues and gets one of the best role-based matchups of the round. The Bulldogs have been one of the easiest teams for medium defenders to score against, conceding +15.1 points above average over the last five games.
Elliot Yeo faces GWS and is projected for 74.6. He’s started in 46.0% of leagues and the matchup works strongly in his favour. GWS have been one of the easiest teams for mid-forward types to score against, conceding +10.2 points above average over their last five games. He also averages 90.5 across his last three against the Giants.
Jack Graham also comes up against GWS and is projected for 79.5. He’s started in 67.2% of leagues, so availability will vary, but the matchup is strong. GWS have been conceding points to mid-forward types, which gives him a clear role-based case if he’s sitting on your wire.
Harvey Langford faces Port Adelaide and is projected for 72.2. He’s started in just 36.8% of leagues and has a useful matchup, with Port Adelaide conceding +6.7 points above average to wingers over the last five games. He’s also averaging 75.7 across his last three, so there’s enough there to consider him.
Joel Fitzgerald also takes on Port Adelaide and is projected for 73.0. He’s started in 42.7% of leagues and gets a favourable matchup for inside mids, with Port conceding +7.8 points above average to the role over their last five games. He’s averaging 77.0 across his last three, making him a decent deeper-league play.
