AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl's Skippers - Round 21


<p>I’ve written this article for the last seven weeks but still can’t manage to hit a captain for my own Supercoach team.</p>



<p>Hopefully you’ve had a bit more success than I have, because at this time of year when sides are so similar and trades are scarce, landing a captaincy score can be the difference between a good and a bad week.</p>



<p>Let’s take a look at some of the best options in round 21.</p>



<a id='AY1fox9cS5lH5EjFnS7feQ' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2286717251' 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:'AY1fox9cS5lH5EjFnS7feQ',sig:'omNlUhMF2e1E_7Mpy_Gqz0ez_Oh4xsKSjCL97RrMVHg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2286717251',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 GEE: 67, 89, 89</strong></p>



<p>He’ll get some close attention from Geelong tagger Oisin Mullin, so I’d be looking elsewhere this week. He hasn’t polled coaches votes in any of the Pies’ past three encounters with the Cats.</p>



<p><strong>Bailey Smith &#8211; L3 v COL: 130, 111, 31</strong></p>



<p>Will Collingwood’s Ed Allan spend some time on Geelong’s prime mover? I’m wary and Smith isn’t in the best form either, averaging just 109.6 over his past five matches.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Marcus Bontempelli &#8211; L3 v FRE: 118, 144, 102</strong></p>



<p>I think Bontempelli’s likely to be my VC this week, despite a subpar showing against the Tigers in round 20. The Bont’s one of the best players in the competition and has posted three scores of 140+ in the past five games. If the Dogs are any chance against the Dockers, he’ll need to be at his best.</p>



<a id='00ax5f4HQdVtCwmsPHZ5XQ' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2287051594' 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:'00ax5f4HQdVtCwmsPHZ5XQ',sig:'8hDEvEfvhQzjxy2rLk5qjr03D-h-TEn8sFIRlndWLTY=',w:'594px',h:'429px',items:'2287051594',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Luke Jackson &#8211; L3 v WBD: 143, 84, 115</strong></p>



<p>Four consecutive scores in the 90s doesn’t make for pretty viewing and it would be a big risk to back him in given his current form, but he’s one of the best players in the competition when in full flight.</p>



<p><strong>Brodie Grundy &#8211; L3 v STK: 90, 154, 94</strong></p>



<p>Grundy returned to form last week with a big 135 against the Giants. He’s been slightly out of form from a Supercoach perspective in recent weeks, but his ceiling is as big as anyone’s in the competition. Likely faces a dual ruck threat in Tom De Koning and Rowan Marshall though, which won’t be easy.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera &#8211; L3 v SYD: 101, 86, 111</strong></p>



<p>He’ll likely cop the James Jordon tag, but you’ve got to consider a guy who’s just come off a score of 194 SC points. This guy’s role is absolutely filthy from an SC perspective.</p>



<a id='e8rp4ZGIRLVWv5kWgJG4Sg' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2287563339' 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:'e8rp4ZGIRLVWv5kWgJG4Sg',sig:'rMQu1UQ29qiRzr0J9dGe7KofPr_aTxL0gw3NtGY21XQ=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2287563339',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 STK: 119, 78, 127</strong></p>



<p>Another superstar that’s been down in recent weeks, Heeney’s bound to bounce back sooner rather than later. I do think he’ll have to deal with some attention from Hugo Garcia or Marcus Windhager though, which might be enough to look elsewhere.</p>



<p><strong>Harry Sheezel &#8211; L3 v HAW: 60, 110, 120</strong></p>



<p>This guy has been a serious Supercoach stud this year &#8211; and will likely be for the rest of his career. A five-round average of 145.4 speaks to the form he’s in, he’s just consistently brilliant week in, week out. The Hawks don’t usually bother with a tag either.</p>



<p><strong>Jai Newcombe &#8211; L3 v NTH: 111, 123, 144</strong></p>



<p>I’m considering Newcombe as my Finn Callaghan replacement and I’d be hoping for an immediate sugar hit against the Roos. Has a great career record against the Kangas, who have also been a friendly matchup for inside midfielders this year. My biggest concern is that he’ll get rested late if the Hawks get out to a big lead.</p>



<a id='wRzQI9_dQjdYiUhbzZTLRw' 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:'wRzQI9_dQjdYiUhbzZTLRw',sig:'JuQUtL6h8PkfLI6I8JcFoEo-hozezxSN49y8bbQ2jbo=',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>Jason Horne-Francis &#8211; L3 v PTA: 71, 103, 26</strong></p>



<p>He’s been on a heater in recent weeks has JHF, stepping up admirably in the absence of Zak Butters. I suspect Toby Bedford will go to him though, which is a tough matchup.</p>



<p><strong>Lachie Neale &#8211; L3 v CAR: 121, 110, 112</strong></p>



<p>Only managed a score of 84 against Port Adelaide last week, but has a strong recent record against the Blues. Neale averages 110.3 SC points against them throughout his career, which is mighty impressive.</p>



<p><strong>Will Ashcroft &#8211; L3 v CAR: 89, 100, 37</strong></p>



<p>There’s not many players in better form than Will Ashcroft right now, who should feast against the Blues at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night. In fact, the only player who has a better three-round average than Ashcroft is St Kilda ruck Rowan Marshall, who’s in doubt with a back injury. I’d consider strongly if I owned.</p>



<a id='-TWyjYvFQ6higkBOXStnqA' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2287666274' 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:'-TWyjYvFQ6higkBOXStnqA',sig:'wnz5zJLdHsxhRuEYOEFVPsWpLzGUIZJM3KyX1a8qH4o=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2287666274',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p><strong>Max Gawn &#8211; L3 v GCS: 175, 90, 88</strong></p>



<p>Gawn went bonkers against the Suns earlier in the year and he’s been the most prolific Supercoach scorer in the game to this point in the season. The Suns have been a tough matchup for opposition rucks this year, but Gawn’s a different gravy.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Noah Anderson &#8211; L3 v MEL: 85, 105, 109</strong></p>



<p>Anderson returned to form last week with 125 SC points, starring in the first half in particular. He’s had such a hot and cold season, both within and between games, but his best is pretty damn good.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Jordan Dawson &#8211; L3 v ESS: 124, 81, 168</strong></p>



<p>When Jordan Dawson is hot, he’s really hot. The Crows come up against a struggling Essendon outfit this week and everything points towards a big game from the Adelaide skipper. If I owned him this week, he’d be my captaincy choice given how soft a matchup this is.</p>



<p><strong>Zach Merrett &#8211; L3 v ADL: 145, 108, 109</strong></p>



<p>After a season-low 49 SC points against the Lions in round 18, Merrett has posted back-to-back tons in recent weeks, including a huge 145 against the Giants. I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to captain him, but it’s been good to see him back in the CBA mix.</p>



<a id='1RHlQFNRQ3dSLUD4YdKzMg' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2286641959' 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:'1RHlQFNRQ3dSLUD4YdKzMg',sig:'effGW4AGWm3cLrvKbY1DPYsiodBzGYttYh3gMx1r0To=',w:'594px',h:'399px',items:'2286641959',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: Bontempelli / Sheezel</p>



<p>C: Dawson / Gawn / W Ashcroft</p>


AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl’s Skippers – Round 21

Discussion (0)

AFL Supercoach 2026: Round 20 Wrap – 9 Things We Learned

AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl’s Skippers – Round 20

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

AFL Supercoach 2026: Dyl’s Skippers – Round 19