Captains run: Round 25 skippers to target and avoid

Round 25 is here and captain choices are becoming more crucial as the end of the season draws near.

By now, hopefully most coaches have gotten rid of any AE nightmares from their bench allowing a VC loop option each week.

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Obvious Choices

Kalyn Ponga

The Million Dollar Man, and a three-round average of 107. Ponga is still a favourable choice for Captain this week,

Ponga’s four biggest scores of the season so far are 180, 137, 122, 121, with all of these in the last six weeks.

Coming up this round against Souths, where Sloan managed to get 45 points from fullback, he should still produce around the 85-point mark.

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Shaun Johnson

With the Warriors vying for a top 4 finish, this has been a fantastic year for the Kiwi Team. This is largely due to the “back to his best” form of SJ.

A three-round average of 99 and highest Supercoach scorer overall so far, he really has wound back the clock.

However, he’s coming up this week against a Manly side that managed to hold Cleary to 53 points last week.

While the pedigree is there, this could be a lowish score from SJ, I’m expecting around 70 at home.

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Nathan Cleary

With a low scoring game from Cleary’s high standards last week, he now comes up against a Titans outfit that only let Hynes score 55 last outing.

However, Cleary has shown time and time again of what he can produce when his back is against the wall.

Before last week’s game, his last three scores of 81, 109 & 103 hardly suggest he’s out of form.

Last time he scored below 55, he came out and scored 120 the week after, beware the bounce back score this week.

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Other Options

Harry Grant

With a three-round average of 105, Grant would usually be a set and forget Captain option. However, he’s only been able to string two games back-to-back where he scores over 70 twice all season.

And, even though the Storm are against the Dragons this week, Cook only managed 45 last week.

We know what he can deliver, but don’t be shocked if he scores under 65 this week.

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Brian To’o

To’o has slipped under the radar somewhat this season, but he is definitely one to consider for a captaincy option this week.

A three-round average of 90, and six of his last seven games scoring over 65 is tempting enough, but what makes him a great option this week is coming up against the Titans.

They have been leaky in defence all season and allowed Mulitalo to put 110 on them last week.

For the 20% of teams that already have him, he is one to seriously consider for your captain this week.

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Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

One possibly for a VC option this week with the Friday night game, DWZ could be that high risk / high reward VC option for Round 25.

He only has a three-round average of 58, but with two scores over 100 including a massive 175 in Round 17, he could be worth the risk.

Coming up this week against Manly who had 75 put on them from Right Wing last week, and playing at home in New Zealand, he’s definitely one to consider.

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Maybe not this Week

Latrell Mitchell

Even though Latrell has been scoring well since coming back from injury, he hasn’t hit the highs from earlier in the year.

His last three scores of 74,71 & 81 are solid enough, but at this time of year we want upside.

Also, considering Souths are playing the Knights in Newcastle, it’s going to be difficult.

The Knights only let 19 points scored from Fullback last week, even if it was the Bulldogs, they didn’t allow anything to be generated from that position.

Good luck for the round ahead!