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 putting matchup first. Points conceded to role is the biggest factor, followed by recent form and scoring history against the opponent. Venue history is only being used as a tiebreaker.
Jake Bowey comes up against the Western Bulldogs this week and gets one of the best role-based matchups on the slate. His season average sits at 91.1, keeping him under the sub-100 captain target, and the Bulldogs have been one of the easiest teams for medium defenders to score against, conceding +17.4 points above average over their last five games. That matchup alone puts him firmly in the mix.
Jase Burgoyne faces Essendon this week. His season average sits at 88.3, and he has both the matchup and form profile we’re looking for. Essendon have been a favourable matchup for inside mids, conceding +5.8 points above average over their last five games, while Burgoyne is averaging 105.4 across his last five and 112.0 across his last three.
Tom Atkins comes up against Richmond this week. While he appears in the streamer pool, his matchup is strong enough to consider as a left-field captain in deeper formats. Richmond have been a favourable matchup for inside mids, conceding +7.3 points above average over the last five games, and Atkins has a huge recent record in this matchup, scoring 120 last time and averaging 113.3 across his last three against them.
Izak Rankine faces GWS this week. There isn’t a specific role-based matchup note doing the heavy lifting here, but his recent form is impossible to ignore. His season average sits at 96.1, and he’s averaging 123.6 across his last five and 141.0 across his last three. He also scored 98 the last time he played the Giants, giving him a strong ceiling profile.
George Hewett comes up against Fremantle this week. His season average sits at 90.4, keeping him well under the captain threshold, and the recent form is excellent. He’s averaging 105.2 across his last five and 121.7 across his last three, while also scoring 122 the last time he played Fremantle.
Vice-Captain Options
For vice-captains, we focus on players featuring in the Thursday and Friday night games. This week that means St Kilda v Gold Coast and Collingwood v Brisbane, giving us a few early-loop options to consider.
Matt Rowell comes up against St Kilda on Thursday night. His season average sits at 97.8, so he still fits the under-100 VC brief, and his recent form is elite. He’s averaging 121.4 across his last five and 130.7 across his last three, while also scoring 130 the last time he played the Saints. Even without a specific points-conceded note, the form and opponent history make him the standout VC.
Max Hall also faces Gold Coast on Thursday night. His season average sits at 92.0, and he’s been in outstanding touch, averaging 113.0 across his last five and 128.3 across his last three. He scored 98 the last time he played Gold Coast, so he has enough form and matchup history to be considered.
Bradley Hill comes up against Gold Coast on Thursday night. His season average sits at 99.0, just keeping him under the target, and his recent scoring has been strong. He’s averaging 112.2 across his last five and 114.0 across his last three, which gives him genuine early VC upside.
Darcy Cameron faces Brisbane on Friday night. His season average sits at 92.0, and his form has been excellent, averaging 116.4 across his last five and 114.3 across his last three. There isn’t a major role-based matchup note attached, but that recent scoring profile is strong enough to make him a serious VC option.
Josh Dunkley takes on Collingwood on Friday night. His season average sits at 92.8, and he’s been reliable recently, averaging 107.6 across his last five and 100.3 across his last three. He also averages 100.3 across his last three against Collingwood, giving him a solid floor as a Friday night VC.
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.
Jake Soligo comes up against GWS and is projected for 75.7. He’s started in just 47.1% of leagues and gets the strongest matchup profile of the streamer pool. GWS have been one of the easiest teams for mid-forward types to score against, conceding +12.3 points above average over their last five games.
Tom Atkins faces Richmond and is projected for 77.6. He’s started in 57.8% of leagues and gets a favourable inside-mid matchup, with Richmond conceding +7.3 points above average to the role. He also scored 120 the last time he played the Tigers and averages 113.3 across his last three against them.
Kieren Briggs comes up against Adelaide and is projected for 72.7. He’s started in just 39.3% of leagues and the matchup gives him a clear path to scoring well. Adelaide have been a favourable matchup for rucks, conceding +7.4 points above average over the last five games.
Harvey Langford faces the Western Bulldogs and is projected for 70.8. He’s started in just 45.6% of leagues and gets a useful role-based matchup, with the Bulldogs conceding +7.2 points above average to wingers.
Ollie Wines comes up against Essendon and is projected for 83.4. He’s started in 68.0% of leagues, so availability will vary, but the matchup is favourable. Essendon have been conceding +5.8 points above average to inside mids, while Wines is averaging 88.0 across his last five and scored 100 the last time he played the Bombers.
