AFL Supercoach 2026: Bandit's Skippers - Round 9


<p>It was a big week for many coaches as many captaincy candidates put up big numbers across their respective fixtures. Tristain Xerri (165) led all comers, but the likes of Max Holmes (149), Luke Jackson (143), Chrisitan Petracca (136) and Brodie Grundy (130) were all solid options as well.</p>



<p>Let’s dive into the best options for the week ahead.  </p>



<a id='IY8vg3hnSDhtLzOD1UuArw' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2273991698' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'IY8vg3hnSDhtLzOD1UuArw',sig:'wowyuTwvhiA9uArsYL9NpG1YsNz-J1pLlUqWtWYdIiQ=',w:'594px',h:'407px',items:'2273991698',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Luke Jackson – L3 vs HAW: 84, 116, 126</strong></p>



<p>Jackson’s unbeaten ton run continued last week but he’ll have a much tougher time of it against Meek and Reeves in the ruck this week. I think he’s still got the capacity to score well if he maintains the role he’s had over the first eight weeks.</p>



<p><strong>Zak Butters – L3 vs WB: 109, 159, 146</strong></p>



<p>Butters’ record against the Dogs in recent times is elite and with plenty of chatter that the Dogs are very keen on securing his services beyond this year, you’d think he’ll be keen to show them what he can do on Friday night. Looks to be one of the safer options this week. </p>



<a id='StZWDtFSTsd7x5RYtbilaA' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2273409515' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'StZWDtFSTsd7x5RYtbilaA',sig:'irI8SNSCXUbAVYiJRigXGogkZFO-WRRTM1iRJpAlSFI=',w:'594px',h:'435px',items:'2273409515',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Marcus Bontempelli – L3 vs PA: 141, 106, 145</strong></p>



<p>The Bulldogs’ captain has been a popular trade in this week despite the fact he’s clearly playing a bit banged up at the moment. It didn’t slow him down much the last two weeks but I would expect Willem Drew to get the job on the best player in the game this week. Hopefully for me that means I can wait another week to trade him in.</p>



<p><strong>Tristan Xerri – L3 vs SYD: 94, 111, 46</strong></p>



<p>Big X’s record against the Swans is far from inspiring, but he’s showed no signs of slowing down with a huge score last week against the Cats. This will be a real test of how the new rules impact him against a quality tap ruck in Brodie Grundy.</p>



<a id='5aLOmKyIRzZMLjoU91-91A' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2273409535' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'5aLOmKyIRzZMLjoU91-91A',sig:'MtE-JfHm-Sa4MMGMEx6DrhQ23Exo-HvNbaCzx8nJDkU=',w:'594px',h:'425px',items:'2273409535',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Brodie Grundy – L3 vs NM: 153, 113, 121</strong></p>



<p>Grundy has been in stellar form over the first eight games of the year, having not dropped a score under 124 in the last six weeks. Should be automatically in your VC/C calculations if you’re an owner.</p>



<p><strong>Lachie Whitfield – L3 vs ESS: 104, 100, 89</strong></p>



<p>Not a player who’s been a prominent captaincy option so far this season, but Essendon bleed points to designated kickers and Whitfield has had a monopoly on that role at GWS in recent weeks. If he’s on seagull patrol again this week, he could be a serious unique for you.</p>



<a id='m0akZJcRRyBa3h1zooKY8w' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2272747134' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'m0akZJcRRyBa3h1zooKY8w',sig:'yLRiTJp6xm_uwk7bn4poJMdmDcnIkzneSrWGM3EjkME=',w:'594px',h:'438px',items:'2272747134',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Christian Petracca – L3 vs STK: 108, 88, 116</strong></p>



<p>I’m always a bit suspect on players playing in Darwin as the games can get a bit slippery and contested, but Trac has shown that hasn’t been an issue for him so far in games on the Gold Coast. Reckon he’s got another big one in him against the Saints.</p>



<p><strong>Max Holmes – L3 vs COLL: 94, 118, 76</strong></p>



<p>No Perryman for the Pies this week means they’re probably light on options for taggers against Holmes who destroyed North Melbourne last week. To me he looks like one of the safer options of the weekend.</p>



<a id='XCh2ph67RkpK1sGOvjLuoQ' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2274281425' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'XCh2ph67RkpK1sGOvjLuoQ',sig:'27oskozxOtopLF_eG9_zEhywBqhJsDOvnXBy8HE_apc=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2274281425',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Max Gawn – 131, 198, 109</strong></p>



<p>Yes, I know he’s been ruck sharing recently but the Dees are clearly looking to manage him a bit more than they have recently. In saying that, Max has put up big numbers against the Eagles previously and you’d be brave to bet against him doing the same thing again. Even if he’s not in the ruck there’s a chance he kicks three or four goals playing forward.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BANDIT’S RECOMMENDATIONS</strong></h2>



<p>VC: Jackson / Butters&nbsp;</p>



<p>C: Xerri / Grundy / Holmes</p>


AFL Supercoach 2026: Bandit’s Skippers – Round 9

Discussion (0)

AFL Supercoach 2026: Bandit’s Skippers – Round 8

AFL Supercoach 2026: Bandit’s Skippers – Round 7

AFL Supercoach 2026: Bandit’s Skippers – Round 6

AFL Supercoach 2026: Bandit’s Skippers – Round 5