AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl's Skippers - Round 14


<p>Last week proved tough on the captaincy front, with no real knockout scores to capitalise on.</p>



<p>If you hit a Luke Jackson 128 or Isaac Heeney 119, you were probably pretty happy with the outcome.</p>



<p>On the bye this week are Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle and Hawthorn, but there are still plenty of captaincy options to ponder in round 14.</p>



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<p><strong>Marcus Bontempelli &#8211; L3 v ADE: 141, 174, 119</strong></p>



<p>The Bont’s recent record against the Crows makes for great reading. He’s only had one score above 119 in his last six matches, but this could be the week he bounces back in a big way. A career average of 124.3 against Adelaide is massive. Will be a hugely popular VC on Thursday night.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Jordan Dawson &#8211; L3 v WB: 103, 154, 105</strong></p>



<p>Doesn’t have as good a record against the Dogs as Bontempelli does the Crows, but Dawson’s form in the last five weeks has been eye-catching, posting five consecutive scores of 111+ SC points. It would be bold to go against the Bont, but I don’t mind Dawson as an early differential play if you’re that way inclined.</p>



<p><strong>Max Holmes &#8211; L3 v GCS: 103, 152, 104</strong></p>



<p>The star Cat has spent some time across half-back in recent weeks, but has still been ticking along nicely. The Suns tend not to tag and have given up plenty of points to both inside midfielders and half-backs recently. Last week Lachie Neale (138) and Darcy Wilmot (120) both went big for the Lions. You could also consider running mate Bailey Smith. </p>



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<p><strong>Christian Petracca &#8211; L3 v GEEL: 170, 92, 94</strong></p>



<p>Will the star Sun do as he pleases against the Cats again, just like he did in Opening Round? Petracca posted 34 disposals and three goals in a herculean performance against the Cats in his Suns debut. Who will Geelong tagger Oisin Mullin go to this week? Could Mark O’Connor be deployed in a similar role? I suspect captain Noah Anderson cops some heat, but so too should Petracca and Matt Rowell.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Max Gawn &#8211; L3 v ESS: 131, 145, 117</strong></p>



<p>I’m torn on Gawn’s captaincy credentials for SuperCoach this week. If there’s no Max Heath in the side as the second ruck, I like Gawn’s historical record against the Dees. On the contrary, he appears to be carrying a shoulder injury, limiting his output. I captained him last week and was burnt by a tough final term, where he was clearly hampered. I think I prefer him as a VC play, rather than straight C.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Tristan Xerri &#8211; L3 v WCE: 199, 153, 131</strong></p>



<p>I had Xerri pencilled in as a trade target this week, but I think I’m spooked by the breakeven. His time on ground isn’t as high as I’d like and I don’t like the idea of trading into a guy coming off a 43 whose CBAs have been seriously nerfed over the past three games. However, if I was an owner, I’d definitely be factoring him into my captaincy plans. Xerri’s record against the Eagles is absolutely bonkers and he’ll want to bounce back after last week’s stinker against the Dockers. </p>



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<p><strong>Harry Sheezel &#8211; L3 v WCE: 124, 137, 129</strong></p>



<p>Sheezel’s scoring hasn’t been as consistent as owners would’ve liked this year, but his captaincy scores are still there. All seven of his tons in 2026 have been 124+. Has to bounce back and I’d be considering.</p>



<p><strong>Brodie Grundy &#8211; L3 v PTA: 159, 139, 89</strong></p>



<p>I know three of his last four scores have been in the 90s, but you just have to consider a guy with double ton potential. It will be interesting to see what the Power do at selection, given tandem rucks have seemed to curb Grundy’s influence in recent times. A watch on whether Peter Ladhams returns as well, after 35 disposals in the VFL. If Grundy is solo rucking against Jordon Sweet, you’ve got to take a long, hard look at Grundy.</p>



<p><strong>Isaac Heeney &#8211; L3 v PTA: 134, 98, 75</strong></p>



<p>Worked through attention last week from Marcus Windhager and is in some serious form, but only has a modest record against the Power. Three scores of 156+ this year shows his explosive nature. </p>



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<p><strong>Zak Butters &#8211; L3 v SYD: 130, 164, 132</strong></p>



<p>I’d be wary of a potential James Jordon tag, but Butters’ record against the Swans is extraordinary…&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Lachie Neale &#8211; L3 v RICH: 130, 162, 143</strong></p>



<p>After 138 last week, Neale owners look set to cash in once more in a soft matchup against the Tigers. With Hugh McCluggage out with injury, expect Neale to continue to do some heavy lifting.</p>



<p><strong>Jack Sinclair &#8211; L3 v GWS: 118, 136, 108</strong></p>



<p>Sinclair is so pivotal to how the Saints play and they regularly look to use him as the outlet out of the back half. Probably doesn’t have the huge ceiling as some of the midfielders on this list, but feels like a reliable option. </p>



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<p><strong>Lachie Ash &#8211; L3 v STK: 130, 105, 137</strong></p>



<p>The Saints are usually a soft matchup for opposition half-backs, so I’m big on Lachie Ash this week as an option, or his teammate Lachie Whitfield. Ash was the better of the pair in their matchup earlier this year for what it’s worth.</p>



<p><strong>Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera &#8211; L3 v GWS: 122, 84, 133</strong></p>



<p>This just feels like a game Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera could rip apart, although he might have Giants tagger Toby Bedford to deal with. After an underwhelming first half of the year, I expect NAS to really find some momentum in the back half and it could start with the Giants at Marvel on Sunday.</p>



<p><strong>DYLAN BOLCH’S RECOMMENDATIONS</strong></p>



<p>VC: Bontempelli / Gawn / Xerri&nbsp;</p>



<p>C: Heeney / Neale / Grundy</p>


AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl’s Skippers – Round 14

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