Bandit’s skippers: Round 9 captain’s to target and avoid

Round 8 was a tricky week for captain choices, but you would have been handsomely rewarded for sticking with Marcus Bontempelli (164) who has put together a five-round average of 147!

Josh Dunkley (149) was a nice left-field VC option on Friday night against Carlton, Clayton Oliver (136) was solid against the Suns and Tim English (124) bounced back from a quieter game the week before.

Some of the less SC-relevant teams play early in the round this week, but we still have a bevy of captain options to pick from with loophole players available right up until Sunday afternoon.

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Tim Taranto

Didn’t quite have the game I hoped he would last week against the Eagles, but he’s still been fantastic over the last five weeks with an average of 126.2 in that span. I don’t like him as much as I did last week given Geelong don’t give up a lot of points to midfielders relative to the rest of the competition, but no Dangerfield for the Cats means they will be batting light in the midfield.

Last 3 v GEEL: 84, 118, 113

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Tom Stewart

Will likely draw the ire of Richmond fans after his bump on Dion Prestia last year, but he put on an absolute masterclass in that game even after taking Prestia out of the game. With the Tigers struggling forward of the ball there will be ample opportunity to play his customary intercept role.

Last 3 v RICH: 161, 118, 92

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Jeremy Cameron

Heck, why not? He’s a fun VC selection and could kick a bag under the Friday night lights of the MCG. Easy enough to back him up into a safe C option.

Last 3 v RICH: 90, 137, 48

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Noah Anderson

Simply demands inclusion in this article this week after his 189 against Melbourne last week. Will likely have his way with a West Coast midfield which is giving up big SC scores to opposition players.

Last 3 v WC: 105, 106, 55

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Max Gawn

Nowhere near as popular as he has been in recent years after that knee injury early in the season, but current owners now have a huge POD on the rest of the competition. Has dominated Hawthorn in recent years.

Last 3 v HAW: 172, 95, 172

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Clayton Oliver

Another Demon who loves playing Hawthorn. Do they send Connor Nash to him to match his physicality? Perhaps, but I can’t see it slowing him down too much. You should be poised to trade him in either this week or next if you’re a non-owner.

Last 3 v HAW: 119, 139, 115

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Josh Dunkley

Dunkley was clearly best on ground last week when he curtailed the influence of Patrick Cripps and he gets a chance to back that up this week against the Bombers who look like they’re starting to battle a bit with injury.

Last 3 v ESS: 139, 75, 153

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Marcus Bontempelli

Couldn’t blame you for sticking with him this week against Carlton. The Blues are one of the stingier teams in the league when it comes to conceding points to opposition midfielders, but this guy is in the form of his life right now.

Last 3 v CARL: 105, 155, 116

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Tim English

Another safe set and forget option, again Carlton don’t usually give up big scores to ruckman, but he should be good for 120 at least.

Last 3 v CARL: 99, 105, 99

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Patrick Cripps

Didn’t have his usual influence last week and the Dogs are a bit of a bogey side for Cripps who has two scores of 72 or less in his last three outings against them. Probably better options elsewhere this week.

Last 3 v WB: 162, 72, 56

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Jordan Dawson

The Saints aren’t in the habit of running hard tags, so Dawson looks like a safe last-resort captain this week. He put a big score on St Kilda the last time they played and with the form the Crows skipper is in, it’s hard to see how he doesn’t get at least 120.

Last 3 v ADEL: 130, 85, 89

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SC BANDIT RECOMMENDS

VC: Taranto / Oliver

C: Bontempelli / Dawson