Captain’s Corner — Round 8
Welcome to the Round 8 edition of Captain’s Corner, where the captaincy options outside of the regular options are looking a bit thin this week.
Injuries and matchups mean that lots of coaches will default to the likes of Gawn, Grundy and Macrae, but there are still a few reasonable options worth looking at.
(Also, if you hadn’t seen the news this afternoon, Martin Frederick has been dropped by Port Adelaide, so reverse your trades ASAP!)
Vice Captains
Cam Guthrie
A solid option in the first game of the round this week. With Richmond bleeding points to midfielders in recent weeks with a few senior players missing, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Guthrie getting 130+ tomorrow night.
Last 3 vs RICH: 110, 102, 99
Zach Merrett
No de Boer for the Giants this time in and that’s good news for Merrett owners, with the Essendon on-baller the target of a GWS tag in recent times. Hasn’t produced a real monster score just yet — is this the week he does it?
Last 3 vs GWS: 119, 67, 88
Jack Steele
The Saints will need another massive game from Steele against the Suns in what shapes as a must-win game if they’re to try and salvage their season. He’s due for a big game with a 3-round average of 100.
Last 3 vs GCS: 124, 115, 96
Jack Ziebell
It would be a brave coach who puts the VC on Ziebell this weekend, but it’s not the craziest idea in the world. A 3-round average of 139 makes for compelling reading and he’s scored well against the Pies previously.
Last 3 vs COLL: 121, 54, 109
Brodie Grundy
Grundy has been acumulating points at will over recent weeks and there’s no reason to think why he can’t have a monster game against North this week. Let’s face it, if the Pies want to win they’ll be relying on him heavily at stoppages and probably for a couple of goals too.
Last 3 vs NM: 85, 133, 113
Captains
Max Gawn
Had a bit of a stinker last week by his lofty standards, but he also said post-match that the very early start to fly in and out of Hobart on the same day wasn’t great for his preparation, so I’m prepared to forgive him. Comes up against an in-form Tom Hickey, but has scored well against the Swans in the past.
Last 3 vs SYD: 150, 113, 119
Jack Macrae
A slightly quieter week but given the Bulldogs were overrun in the second half he did well to still crack the ton. Should have an easier time of it against Carlton and back at Marvel Stadium which suits him.
Last 3 vs CARL: 138, 97, 150
Marcus Bontempelli
Has a solid record against the Blues and loves playing at Marvel. Does David Teague send Curnow to sit in his pocket like he did with Merrett last week? It appears a likely outcome.
Last 3 vs CARL: 116, 104, 112
Nat Fyfe
The Fremantle skipper has had some big games against the Lions in recent times and Freo will need him to have another one if they’re to get the chocolates here.
Last 3 vs BRIS: 143, 126, 43
