Bandit’s skippers: Round 16 captain’s to target and avoid

The bye rounds are over! I’m sure nearly all fans agree that four weeks of byes is way too many, and as I said on the podcast this week with Charlie and Niko, hopefully the AFL can fix this for next year.

In the meantime, last week was pretty smooth sailing in terms of captaincy options. Errol Gulden (164) who I gave a plug as a smoky VC option against West Coast was the highest scorer for the week, while Jordan Dawson (149) and Nick Daicos (132) were both excellent on Sunday afternoon.

If you missed those three, Andrew Brayshaw (129), Zach Merrett (126), Rory Laird (125) and Josh Dunkley (122) were all solid as highly owned alternatives.

The positive is that we now have a full compliment of players to choose from this week and there are some very relevant players returning from their byes.

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Josh Dunkley

Five round average is still north of 140 and while he’s putting out these kinds of scores it’s very hard to look past him week in, week out. Playing Richmond at the Gabba tonight looks like a good setup.

Last 3 v RICH: 103, 134, 116

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Lachie Neale

Another Lion who’s five round average is indicative of how well he’s going recently, averaging 122 in that time and just one score below 114. Richmond don’t tag and I expect him to be finding plenty of the footy tonight.

Last 3 v RICH: 110, 107, 149

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Tim Taranto

Will have his work cut out for him this week going up against Dunkley and Neale, but given the form he’s in he simply has to get a mention. I probably prefer one of the Brisbane boys as a VC this week though.

Last 3 v BRIS: 85, 87, 81

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Rory Laird

That 50 against GWS in Round 1 is now a distant memory for Laird owners, who have enjoyed the last five weeks in particular where he’s averaging over 130. Will get a soft kill against North Melbourne in Adelaide this week.

Last 3 v NORTH: 97, 156, 105

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Jordan Dawson

Very good record against the Kangaroos, couldn’t talk you out of putting the VC or C on him this week.

Last 3 v NORTH: 145, 134, 99

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Marcus Bontempelli

The number one player in the game is back this week! Can he buck the trend of post-bye blues and post another big score against Fremantle? Number one seed for the captaincy this week for me.

Last 3 v FREM: 182, 100, 149

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Tim English & Tom Liberatore

This is more for SuperCoaches playing for league wins, but English (L3 v FREM – 131, 86, 69) and Libba (L3 v FREM – 140, 95, 102) could be nice smoky options this week if you want to separate yourself from the mainstream.

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Andrew Brayshaw

That knee problem from early in the season is now gone and the Fremantle gun is now averaging 120 from his last five games. This matchup isn’t ideal, but he’s very much in the captaincy conversation from this point on.

Last 3 v WB: 89, 93, 120

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Nick Daicos

Destroyed the Suns last year with 143 SC points – do they tag him this time around?

Last 2 v GCS: 143, 75

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Zach Merrett

Had a decent game against Port Adelaide earlier in the year, but the Power do like to send Drew as a bit of a ‘cooler’ to the opposition’s best midfielder. Better options out there this week for me.

Last 3 v PORT: 106, 73, 130

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Christian Petracca

No Oliver again this week and Petracca will need to pick up the slack yet again. Very solid record against the Giants as well which helps as a POD option.

Last 3 v GWS: 116, 123, 83

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Rowan Marshall

Playing West Coast this week, but as we talked about on the podcast this week, I’m a bit scared that Ross the Boss might sub Marshall off as a management tactic if the Saints are up by plenty later in the game. For that reason, I’m steering clear.

Last 3 v WC: 88, 50, 76

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SC BANDIT RECOMMENDS

VC: Neale / Dunkley / Dawson / Laird

C: Bontempelli / Daicos