Welcome back legends – A big thanks again to the legends of Perth who came out to see us last week, it was heaps of fun and we had a ball. Appreciate the support from the west as always. You guys rock and we are mega keen to get back ASAP.

If you are only just waking up this week, you might have missed that there are NO THURSDAY games anymore for the rest of the season so that makes captain moves a little easier. With that said, there are still plenty of great VCs to have a look at, especially on Friday night.

Don’t forget, if you’d like to check out my top-10 captains (plus the extended approx. 2000 word version), a weekly updated Scale of Hardness, LIVE videos, more podcasts, Roy’s rollin’-22 and much more… check out the great work that is going on over in our patreon space.

CALVIN’S TOP-5 CAPTAINS

No. 1 – Jordan Dawson v MELB
@ the MCG, SUN 3:20pm 

After his bye, Dawson has gone nuts with 123, 128, 136 and 172. He scored 129 on the Demons last year and from his only game at the MCG this year… he had 172. Melbourne can be tough though… and the Lions found that last week when Neale, McCluggage, Ashcroft and Lyons averaged just 84 against them, after averaging 117 on the Eagles the week before (probably more of a reflection of the Lions at the MCG). However, in round 17 we saw Steele 146, W-Milera 130 and Sinclair 110 all score with ease. Hopefully it looks like this. His form is just too hot at the moment with six of his last seven scores hitting 120+.

No. 2 – Marcus Bontempelli v ESS
@ Marvel, FRI 7:50pm 

Geelong had 4×100+ against the Bombers last week with Atkins (122) leading the way and before that we saw Dawson (128) and Laird (116) do well. Rozee (145), Houston (125) and Butters (102) all hit a ton in round 16 which shows there will be points up for grabs. Bont is coming off 142, 114, 116 and 158… and still carries that lowest score of 108 in his last ten games. This is one of the occasions where ‘history’ is disregarded, and form takes over because…  Essendon are one of Bont’s worst teams to score against. From his 11 career games against them, his best score is just 103. Small tiny flag. Either way, an easy VC option.

No. 3 – Zach Merrett v WBD
@ Marvel, FRI 7:50pm 

With previous scores of 80 (tagged), 150 and 114, Merrett must be considered here as the Dogs don’t tag. He only had 92 against them last year and 114 and 109 before that. He loves playing under the roof where he has scored 150, 155, 109 and 100 in his last four games. Imagine a 150 as your VC.

No. 4 – Tim Taranto v HAW
@ the MCG, SAT 1:45pm 

111, 97 and 108 are Taranto’s last three games which are some of his worst scores this year. The Hawks are giving up plenty at the moment though… if he can avoid the tag from Finn Maginness (which he should). Last week, LDU 138, Scott 136, Sheezel 112 and Shiels 109 all scored very well.  Taranto is back on the MCG where he has had 97, 147, 145 and 129 in his last four games and will return to his best here.

No. 5 – Tim English v ESS
@ Marvel, FRI 7:50pm

Essendon are #1 hardest for rucks this year but at the moment they don’t have Sam Draper, so let’s see what has been happening in his absence…. Stanley 63, ROB 101, Port (no ruck), Sean Darcy 82. Bit of a mixed bag. Under the roof he is very hard to read with scores of 94, 108, 134, 76, 158, 92, 99, 111 and 117. Only two 120+ scores there are concerning.

ALSO CONSIDER… 

Christian Petracca v Adelaide… This guy loves playing the Crows where he posted 141 against them last year and lately he has been brilliant with 115, 104, 117 and 125. Back at the MCG where he has had 115, 103 and 118 in his last three games. Gun gun gun!

Errol Gulden v Fremantle… coming off scores of 126, 126, 128 and 145… this guy is flying. But, Errol prefers playing at home… SCG = 10 games. 50% hits 120+ (153, 145, 128, 126), 80% hits 100+ compared to AWAY = 8 games. 25% hits 120+ (161, 126), 50% hits 100+.

Nick Daicos v Port Adelaide… As we know, Port are #1 hardest for MIDs this year.  Daicos has now averaged 129 in his last four games but this match-up is tough. Form gets him here and the fact he actually goes well really in Adelaide is an added bonus (scores of 99, 136, 147 @AO).