Captains run: Round 25 skippers to target and avoid


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



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



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Obvious Choices</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Kalyn Ponga</strong></p>



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



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



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



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<p><strong>Shaun Johnson</strong></p>



<p>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. </p>



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



<p>However, he&#8217;s coming up this week against a Manly side that managed to hold Cleary to 53 points last week. </p>



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



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<p><strong>Nathan Cleary</strong></p>



<p>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. </p>



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



<p>Before last week&#8217;s game, his last three scores of 81, 109 &amp; 103 hardly suggest he’s out of form. </p>



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



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Options</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Harry Grant</strong></p>



<p>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. </p>



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



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



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<p><strong>Brian To’o</strong></p>



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



<p>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. </p>



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



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



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<p><strong>Dallin Watene-Zelezniak</strong></p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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&#8217;s definitely one to consider.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Maybe not this Week</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Latrell Mitchell</strong></p>



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



<p>His last three scores of 74,71 &amp; 81 are solid enough, but at this time of year we want upside.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>Good luck for the round ahead!</p>


Captains run: Round 25 skippers to target and avoid

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