NATE’S CAPTAINS - Round 23
Is it just me or does it feel weird not to have a game on Thursday night? Well at least I could see the teams before I made some choices this week. Will that make me better or worse? So many overlapping games which limits our choices a little bit.
Let’s have a review of how Damo did last week and then find us some good VC/C options. Can we blame Damo for Nas blowing out his hamstring when he named him Hail Mary Captain?
Ninja VC
First game of the week. In your league head to head match ups your opponent cannot see changes to your team you have made until the Thursday night game starts. Catch them by surprise with a big VC.
Last week: Marcus Bontempelli (99) Average: 112.6
summary
Luke Jackson: Showed his old team how good he is with a 149 last week. McAndrew is a better defensive ruck then ROB but Jackson’s athletic ability should be a problem. Scored 126 in round 4 vs both of them.
Boom or Bust
This will be a high variance option. Hoping to hit it out of the park and make it an easy decision for you. Either hell yeah or hell no.
Last week : Zac Bailey (79) Average: 96.2
Yeah, Thanks Zac
Brad Hill: Saints are wounded and have no body left to give them run and drive. Expect Brad Hill to be their primary ball mover this week.
VICE CAPTAIN
Last week: Will Ashcroft (132) Average 123.8
No Grundy last week, so we roll our review onto our #2 option in Ashcroft. He did a pretty good job.
1) Will Ashcroft: No one has had a better last 2 months then this guy. No longer a grand final specialist. Delivering week in, week out. Gold Coast may have scraped a win finally last week but they aren’t the team we expected this year.
2) Bailey Smith: There is a chance he gets some close attention from the Roos. Finally got a big score with 161 in a bruise free game vs bombers. Perfect conditions under the roof could see Baz keep efficiency up which means a good score.
3) Lachie Neale: If you don’t have Ashcroft but have Lachie as your lions mid then this also feels good for the reasons above. Suns will run head to head in the mids against Lions.
CAPTAIN OBVIOUS
Last week: Nick Daicos (132) Average 126
We take 132 everyday.
1) Brodie Grundy: Took last week off to look after his family. Should be well rested and gets the Bombers match up. Scored 200 against Bombers in last match up in 2025.
2) Max Gawn: Jordon Sweet is a quality player but not a great defensive ruck. Gawn scored 177 twice vs Port in ’24 while his ’25 game returned a 126
3) Jagga Smith: Didn’t think this would happen. Bont has been rested so we are going to pivot to future Rising Star winner Jagga. Got some attention last week but has been on a tear. Using the ball better and attacking more which is leading to more points.
Editor’s addition - George Hewett: Only in a small amount of teams, but is averaging 114.9 in full games since Josh Fraser took over, and has shown he has a decent ceiling with a 147 just two weeks ago.
Hail Mary
Last game of the week. Just in case your team hasn’t performed and you need that last moment magic to win some head to head matches.
Last week: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (10) Average (119.1)
What terrible luck here. Season average for the Hail Mary picks takes a massive 5 point hit after Nasiah’s injury hit score of 10
Brodie Grundy: He’s my #1 captain. But if you don’t own Grundy and want a last game option I’d go with Errol Gulden. 147, 144, 134 in his last 3.
OUR PICKS
Nate: Last week Bailey Smith (161)
Finally Bazlenka returns a big score
AVG: 140.5
3 Week AVG: 167.67
VC: Bailey Smith
C: Brodie Grundy
Damo: Last week Nick Daicos (132)
Finally nailed a good captain.
AVG: 121.7
3 Week AVG: 113.67
VC: Luke Jackson
C: Max Gawn
Clarky: Last week Nick Daicos (132)
Showed Damo who the rest best AFL team is
AVG: 129
3 Week AVG: 124.67
VC: Max Gawn
C: Brodie Grundy
