AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl's Skippers - Round 18


<p>We’re on a roll right now with captaincy picks, so let’s keep it going.</p>



<p>Once more, there’s plenty of valid options this week, so fingers crossed we can hit the jackpot again.</p>



<p>Let’s take a look at some of the leading contenders.</p>



<a id='MXGNOu0wR-RFZjqyPL1oZQ' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2284481584' 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:'MXGNOu0wR-RFZjqyPL1oZQ',sig:'kRri0grDQPD47sQSm_7jpsEeUveVgn3m936ajPHtTXA=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2284481584',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Isaac Heeney &#8211; L3 v FRE: 97, 78, 118</strong></p>



<p>This guy is a genuine superstar and should thrive under the prime time lights in the top of the table clash. If the Swans are going to go close to the Dockers, Heeney will need to be at his best. If you’ve got Luke Jackson or Brodie Grundy, I expect they’ll both nullify the other to a degree.</p>



<p><strong>Harry Sheezel &#8211; L3 v COL: 63, 120, 79</strong></p>



<p>Sheezel is the in-form player in the competition right now, averaging 162.5 SC points per game in his last four matches. There’s a chance he gets some attention from Collingwood’s Ed Allan, but I’m more than happy to take the risk given the form right now.</p>



<p><strong>Nick Daicos &#8211; L3 v NTH: 107, 129, 124</strong></p>



<p>Speaking of in-form players, Nick Daicos is also red hot right now, with a three-round average of 148.7 SC points per game. Does North Melbourne send Finn O’Sullivan to clamp the star Pie? He might be good enough to break that tag anyway, but it’s something to be mindful of.</p>



<a id='16HaHqZvSSFcFf11jS8H6w' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2283985770' 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:'16HaHqZvSSFcFf11jS8H6w',sig:'IpNVZzPglUb67vn1n1YMX-QXDNqEKKMXdde8008ETCQ=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2283985770',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Zak Butters &#8211; L3 v STK: 145, 107, 82</strong></p>



<p>Some players wilt under the pressure of a contract year, but Zak Butters has thrived. The star Power on-baller has taken his game to another level this year and is a force to be reckoned with right now. I do think he’s likely to get some attention from a Marcus Windhager or Hugo Garcia type though, which is a big watch.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera &#8211; L3 v PTA: 136, 123, 82</strong></p>



<p>Not grabbing Nas when I had the chance to about a month ago has cost me dearly and I think it’s only going to get worse. The Saints look to feed him at every possible opportunity and another huge score looms under the roof at Marvel Stadium.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Bailey Smith &#8211; L3 v GWS: 73, 154, 109</strong></p>



<p>Does a Toby Bedford tag loom? Or will it go to Max Holmes? I’m not entirely sure which way it will go, but the Cats need to respond and Bailey Smith will be a key force in driving that. His ceiling is as big as anyone in the competition.</p>



<a id='Zg4LSatiQ3pevDIIoyyfUw' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2284708976' 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:'Zg4LSatiQ3pevDIIoyyfUw',sig:'BsjQ15ISzNJd9biEJ2lWDZrrmYl8Y2Cmj1T_Vu5Di5Y=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2284708976',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Max Holmes &#8211; L3 v GWS: 72, 134, 134</strong></p>



<p>See above. It feels as though Smith has a bigger ceiling however, so if you’re going to give one the VC, perhaps he’s the higher upside play.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Jordan Dawson &#8211; L3 v GCS: 88, 124, 82</strong></p>



<p>Just like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is killing my rank, Dawson is doing the exact same thing. One of the premier players in the competition and I’m expecting another huge performance on Saturday night. In his past nine games, he’s had just one score under 111.</p>



<p><strong>Marcus Bontempelli &#8211; L3 v WCE: 148, 110, 162</strong></p>



<p>A pretty juicy recent record against the Eagles for Bontempelli and there’s a big chance he can replicate that again on Sunday afternoon. A possible tag from Brady Hough awaits and his last month or two hasn’t been to the standard we’ve become accustomed to, but he might be good enough to deliver another captaincy score anyway. </p>



<a id='J-TV_LTgQytQzkGize4PrQ' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2283863929' 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:'J-TV_LTgQytQzkGize4PrQ',sig:'Si55qlDxvKxx19ORkrscsoPcO8ADdd7GYN2DMU2zoyw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2283863929',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Bailey Dale &#8211; L3 v WCE: 128, 93, 84</strong></p>



<p>Fresh off a 151 against the Swans, Dale did as he pleased last week. Surely the Eagles won’t allow him that luxury again? Surely? If they do, another massive score looms but I think I prefer him as a VC play rather than C. Might get some attention from Milan Murdock.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Max Gawn &#8211; L3 v RIC: 105, 174, 162</strong></p>



<p>Gawn’s career record against Richmond is exceptional, averaging 132.4 SC points per game against the Tigers. With Max Heath currently out of the side too, Gawn has rediscovered some of his best form in recent weeks. I think he’s the leading candidate for the armband this week.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Will Ashcroft &#8211; L3 v ESS: 95, 124, 115</strong></p>



<p>Unfortunately I don’t own any Brisbane players, which is a real shame because I think they’ll absolutely feast against Essendon this week. Ashcroft is the form player for the Lions, averaging 135.7 SC points per game in his last three appearances. If you own Lachie Neale you could also consider him. </p>



<a id='UsqsXxP6TAdtuA3XSORRlA' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2283748030' 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:'UsqsXxP6TAdtuA3XSORRlA',sig:'zFvEAx82fupq-s0HPjlBRfezrWtaiwyRLE4PHoEst1A=',w:'594px',h:'379px',items:'2283748030',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>DYLAN BOLCH’S CAPTAINCY RECOMMENDATIONS</strong></h2>



<p>VC: Sheezel / Wanganeen-Milera</p>



<p>C: Gawn / Bontempelli</p>


AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl’s Skippers – Round 18

Discussion (0)

AFL Supercoach 2026: Round 17 Wrap – 9 Things We Learnt

Dylan Bolch’s Supercoach World Cup Watchlist: Buy, Hold, Sell round 4

AFL Supercoach 2026: Round 16 Wrap – 7 Things We Learnt

AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl’s Skippers – Round 16