AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl's Skippers - Round 20


<p>Gee wizz, I royally stuffed up my captaincy last week.&nbsp;</p>



<p>After botching some emergency loopholes and failing to read the fixture properly, I ended up straight captaining Nick Daicos for 116. Not a disaster, but far from ideal.</p>



<p>If you landed on Marcus Bontempelli (155), Lachie Neale (135) or Harry Sheezel (133) well done, but there were plenty of others who didn’t deliver.</p>



<p>Let’s take a look at some of the best options for round 20.</p>



<a id='et1EbdLGTOtXFd4FkVn9Eg' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2286678655' 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:'et1EbdLGTOtXFd4FkVn9Eg',sig:'fmoqLksngqH-Ggw6OFEgfJ3J6D5y8IL_fciAUlf77PM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2286678655',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Nick Daicos &#8211; L3 v ADE: 126, 133, 95</strong></p>



<p>The Collingwood superstar hasn’t dropped below 111 in his past eight matches, highlighting his elite consistency in 2026. Feasted on the Crows in round one and I’m not sure they’ve got an obvious direct matchup for him. Strong VC shout I think.</p>



<p><strong>Jordan Dawson &#8211; L3 v COL: 91, 96, 132</strong></p>



<p>Copped some attention from James Jordon last week, but prior to that the Adelaide skipper had been flying as one of the most in-form players in the competition. Pies might send Ed Allan to him, but I expect Dawson to still play pretty well.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Max Gawn &#8211; L3 v GEE: 122, 111, 92</strong></p>



<p>This one is totally dependent on selection. If backup ruck Max Heath is named, I’d probably not bother, but if he’s out, then Gawn’s a tremendous captaincy option. The Cats can give up big points to opposition rucks and Gawn should feast. </p>



<a id='OJMjlbtYQ8pXMhTuimeMAA' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2285955741' 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:'OJMjlbtYQ8pXMhTuimeMAA',sig:'2Qc19s4HlfOXBNh_YA-MK1g6I1QmTl9SyXHJf2B6SnY=',w:'594px',h:'405px',items:'2285955741',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Bailey Smith &#8211; L3 v MEL: 108, 76, 139</strong></p>



<p>He’s lost his running mate in Max Holmes, but what does that mean for Bailey Smith? I think it means he’s more likely to get some attention, but I don’t think it’ll be this week. If the Cats are going to compete with the surging Dees, he’ll need to be at his best. Should thrive under the Friday night lights.</p>



<p><strong>Luke Jackson &#8211; L3 v WCE: 125, 123, 165</strong></p>



<p>The Fremantle star has gone cold in recent weeks, posting three consecutive scores in the 90s. He loves a Western Derby however (career average of 109.5 against the Eagles) and should thrive against the improved Bailey Williams. Strongly consider given the matchup.</p>



<p><strong>Zach Merrett &#8211; L3 v HAW: 139, 89, 127</strong></p>



<p>Merrett returned to the CBA mix against the Giants, leading his side to their first win in what feels like forever. The role still makes me incredibly nervous, but he did post a 139 against the Hawks in round one. </p>



<a id='NehKaXj3TwpNL_iWjj85Kg' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2284712171' 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:'NehKaXj3TwpNL_iWjj85Kg',sig:'h9tLHUfGQuQNRnYOW4mw4SKFhK6oJVaMiSTAsN6W2fM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2284712171',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Brodie Grundy &#8211; L3 v GWS: 136, 137, 54</strong></p>



<p>Can you overlook recent form? Grundy’s battled in recent times, posting just one score above 105 in his past seven outings this year. He’s done pretty well against the Giants historically, producing back-to-back 130s in his previous two encounters.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Clayton Oliver &#8211; L3 v SYD: 128, 130, 90</strong></p>



<p>I suspect Swans tagger James Jordon will go to Finn Callaghan, which means Oliver should be free to do as he pleases around the contest. He’s put together a really solid campaign in his first year at the Giants and will be crucial in the Sydney Derby if Adam Kingsley’s side is going to keep their season alive.</p>



<p><strong>Marcus Bontempelli &#8211; L3 v RIC: 177, 135, 122</strong></p>



<p>The Bont ticks all the boxes this week. Great recent form, averaging 126 SC points over the last five weeks, and a really strong recent record against the Tigers. The Bulldogs skipper boasts a career Supercoach average of 132.3 points per game against Richmond and feels like an absolute no-brainer captaincy pick. </p>



<a id='tudqw1hLSP5Ye7S0J3R4ow' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2281353919' 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:'tudqw1hLSP5Ye7S0J3R4ow',sig:'3ykR-eYiJxn_Ek5DD3Zo2Mi8ewGgNOGkSi2ePpC1faY=',w:'594px',h:'395px',items:'2281353919',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Ed Richards &#8211; L3 v RIC: 120, 163, 88</strong></p>



<p>If for some reason you don’t own Bontempelli or want to captain someone else, then you could definitely consider his teammate Richards. The star Dog has posted two huge scores against them in his previous two encounters and will do as he pleases against a faltering Richmond outfit who are crawling to the finish line.</p>



<p><strong>Lachie Neale &#8211; L3 v PTA: 126, 149, 95</strong></p>



<p>The Lions champion has rediscovered some strong form lately, averaging 132.3 SC points across the past three weeks. Has an elite career record against Port Adelaide and is finding form at the right time of the year.</p>



<p><strong>Will Ashcroft &#8211; L3 v PTA: 95, 55</strong></p>



<p>It didn’t work out last week, but Ashcroft is worth looking at again in round 20. The young gun has a five-round average of 136 SC points per game and is one of the most in-form players in the competition, coming up against a weakened Port Adelaide side.</p>



<a id='goEgYjXOTX9xsdVNZjYmjg' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2285996647' 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:'goEgYjXOTX9xsdVNZjYmjg',sig:'7S3V_BCB49vi6Aw4pNqsn2T3pp8KV5zyJS2wkaOvHGg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2285996647',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Harry Sheezel &#8211; L3 v STK: 131, 73, 110</strong></p>



<p>Speaking of in-form players, no player in the competition has put together a better five weeks than Harry Sheezel. The star Roo has averaged 149.6 SC points over that period of time, 13 more per game than the next best. Does he get some attention from either Marcus Windhager or Hugo Garcia? Who knows, but he’s in a seriously rich vein of form.</p>



<p><strong>Nasiah Wangaeen-Milera &#8211; L3 v NTH: 108, 115, 97</strong></p>



<p>Last week he couldn’t shake a tag from Oisin Mullin and this week he’ll likely get Finn O’Sullivan for company. Feels too risky in the final game of the round for mine, but he has had four scores of 135+ in the last five weeks.</p>



<a id='HjKvne1hSSxFjXOZtksLJw' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2286597911' 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:'HjKvne1hSSxFjXOZtksLJw',sig:'qUyZ3BNs-cNOIs1hb8y1a-oh4Lndd3YYplEpenr38vk=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2286597911',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: Jackson / Gawn (if no Heath) / N Daicos</p>



<p>C: Bontempelli / Sheezel / Neale</p>


AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl’s Skippers – Round 20

Discussion (0)

AFL Supercoach 2026: Round 19 Wrap – 9 Things We Learned

AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl’s Skippers – Round 19

Dylan Bolch’s Supercoach World Cup Watchlist: Buy, Hold, Sell round 7

AFL Supercoach 2026: Round 18 Wrap – 9 Things We Learnt