Welcome back you bloody awesome legends to another edition of Calvin’s Captains.

This year, I have set-out my top 10 players, in the order that I would select them. I have also mentioned whether or not they would make a good VC option as well as they might be playing earlier in the round.

The Loop Hole and the way you can use your VC is explained below. But be careful, because in the early rounds you want a FULL TEAM of players playing and therefore you might not have the option of putting a zero on your ground.

THE LOOP HOLE EXPLAINED

This is how it works….

• Select a gun player playing Thursday/Friday night (or an early game) and give them the VC.
• If that players scores well, put a non-playing player onto your ground and give them the “C”.
• Make a bench player emergency as well.
• The non-playing captain will score 0, meaning you VC score will be activated and doubled and the emergency player you selected, will also cover the zero as well. The emergency score will not double.
• If you don’t like your VC score, simply select a captain as you normal would.

CALVIN’S TOP-10

#1 – Jack Macrae v Kangaroos

VC OPTION: Plays Friday afternoon @ Marvel

First thing to note here is that this game starts at 4:20pm and leads into the Adelaide v Suns. Lock this in early.

Macrae is the only player in the game who has scored over 110 in their first games this year and he has been on fire. His record against the Kangaroos isn’t the best though with previous scores of 105 and 77 but I think we are all anticipating that things will change in this one.

Last week against the Kangaroos, we saw some big scores from Miller (130), Ellis (122) and Anderson (120). In fact, the top five scoring players from the Suns averaged 118, compared to Port in round one (top five avg. 94).

Currently the Bulldogs rank as #2 for scoring points compared to the Roos who rank at #1 easiest to score against. That’s enough for me… lock in Macrae for this bloodbath.

#2 – Zach Merrett v St Kilda 

Plays: Saturday @ Marvel Stadium

Melbourne had 5×100+ scores on the Saints last week with Oliver (130) and Petracca (124) leading the way. Zach scored 102 (28 touches) last week and has a very impressive record against the Saints with previous scores of 106, 99, 119, 114 and 126. Many boxes are ticked for Zach in this game.

#3 – Taylor Adams v Brisbane 

VC OPTION: Plays Thursday night @ Marvel

121 last week for Adams who is simply elite. He scored 115 against the Lions last year and when you consider Geelong had five guys score over 100 in round 2, then you’d think that Adams will be 115+ once again.

#4 – Lachie Neale v Collingwood 

VC OPTION: Plays Thursday night @ Marvel

Neale certainly hasn’t had the best start but will bounce back with NO tags here. Collingwood rank as the third easiest to score against at the moment and last time they playerd Neale scored 119.

#5 – Brodie Grundy v Brisbane

VC OPTION: Plays Thursday night @ Marvel Stadium

He has been awesome so far this year and with Big Oscar carrying an injury, he could be against rookie Fullarton. Big O has given up a few points this year that saw Stanley (109) and Hickey (92) have their best games in some time.

#6 – Max Gawn v GWS 

Plays: Sunday @ Manuka

Max was doing Max things last week with 108 off the back of 40 hit outs. He plays Flynn who in recent weeks has gone against Hunter (44) and McKernan (32) – two worst scorers for the Saints in their first game and then Darcy (69) and Meek (55). Flynn has held his own against this crew, but let’s be honest… they are a long way from Max Gawn.
Oh and on a sidenote – Max has played one game at Manuka… for 140.

#7 – Josh Dunkley v Kangaroos

VC OPTION: Plays Friday night @ Marvel Stadium

Welcome to the Bloodbath. Coming off 117 Dunkley will look to keep his hot form going against a team on the ropes. Dunkley didn’t play the Roos in 2020, but in 2019 when they crossed paths… he had 119.

See Macrae’s note for more info how this one will unfold.

#8 – Christian Petracca v GWS 

Plays: Sunday @ Manuka

124 last week and still going strong from his 2020 form. He scored 101 on the Giants last year and should be great again on Sunday.

#9 – Andrew Brayshaw v Carlton

Plays: Sunday @ Marvel Stadium

He’s the main man in their team at the moment and stepped up with Fyfe going down last week with 127. Collingwood midfielders found it pretty easy going against the Blues last week and the real Brayshaw should keep with run going here.

#10 – Jake Lloyd v Richmond

Plays: Saturday @ the MCG

Lloyd scored 108 and 126 in his last two against the Tigers and after a restricted pre-season I think we’ll see his best this week.

WATCH-OUT!

Dusty Martin – He’s a jet… but plays the hardest team to score points against this week.

Tom Mitchell – A tag from O’Çonnor is on the cards, especially after he completely shut down Neale last week for 51.

Clayton Oliver – Could cop the de Boer tag this week like he has before.

Marcus Bontempelli – Was held well last year with a tag from Luke McDonald. Highly doubt it will happen again, but it happened last time and worked.