Bandit’s skippers: Round 8 captain’s to target and avoid

Picking a good captain score in Round 7 proved vital – Rowan Marshall (159), Patrick Cripps (153), Jordan Dawson (150) and Clayton Oliver (134) led the way in terms of more popular players.

As we move into the mid-part of the season, a savvy VC/C selection is almost as important as who you trade into your side.

If you can identify a good match up for a particular player which should see them score well above their average, it can set your week up really nicely (see Marshall last week against Port Adelaide).

Let’s take a look at the best options for Round 8.

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Patrick Cripps

Cripps dominated the Eagles last week on his way to his biggest score for the season to date. Looks like he’s really enjoying having Walsh back in the side and I expect his scoring to continue to be solid. Looks a great buy this week if you have the cash to bring him in.

Last 3 v BRIS: 104, 64, 26

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Lachie Neale

Neale seems to be slipping under the radar a bit at the moment, but a three-round average of 125.3 says that he’s going as well as any midfielder in the competition. Should be able to find points at will in a midfield shootout with the Blues.

Last 3 v CARL: 138, 96, 142

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Tim Taranto

We haven’t seen Taranto make an appearance in this article, but after back-to-back games of 140+ and a match up against the hapless West Coast at the MCG this Saturday, he is a really nice POD option. Wouldn’t shock me if he hits the 140-point mark for the third straight week against the team that gives up the most points to midfielders in the competition.

Last 3 v WC: 102, 61, 78

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Jordan Dawson

Made up for a quiet game against the Hawks the week prior with his third 150+ score in four weeks. He’s one of the hottest players in the SC game at the moment and you’d have to seriously consider him again as a VC/C this week.

Last 3 v GEEL: 104, 85, 103

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Patrick Dangerfield

He’s been a big driver of the turnaround at the Cattery over the last month. A five-round average of 121.6 is as good as any and if you’ve traded him in recently, I can’t see him slowing down with the way Chris Scott is meticulously managing his time on ground.

Last 3 v ADEL: 92, 114, 128

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Clayton Oliver

Looks to my eye the safest C option of all this week. Has touched up Gold Coast the last couple of times he’s faced them and this time around there’s no Touk Miller. Lock and load.

Last 3 v GCS: 121, 166, 106

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Christian Petracca

Hard to go past Oliver but if you don’t have Clarry and have bought into Petracca, his record against the Suns is also very good.

Last 3 v GCS: 129, 148, 104

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Marcus Bontempelli

GWS coach Adam Kingsley hinted that they would put some time into Bont this week, but often those sorts of comments can fall by the wayside when the game rolls around. I think he’ll score fine this week in another must-win game for the Dogs.

Last 3 v GWS: 100, 120, 127

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Tim English

Ned Reeves blanketed his influence last week, but I’m tipping a bounce-back game this week for English. GWS are not a particularly effective side in limiting SC points for rucks – in fact they’re 14^th for most points conceded in that position.

Last 3 v GWS: 88, 110, 76

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Nick Daicos

Finally copped a decent tag last week and the result was very effective, albeit Collingwood were still able to win the game. The Swans are capable of playing a hard tag, it’s just a question of whether they pull the trigger. I think there’s probably safer options this week personally.

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SC BANDIT RECOMMENDATIONS

VC: Cripps / Taranto / Dawson

C: Oliver / Bontempelli / English