For this week in Calvin’s Captains I like to keep you on your toes. Therefore, things will be done a little bit differently. Don’t forget if you want the real big Calvin’s Captains… you can find that on our Patreon space where on Tuesday I cover a game-by-game preview of all the best players followed by my Top-10… in the order that I would pick them on Thursday night at 7:00 PM.

Calvin’s Captains – Top 10 (Round 9)

🏴‍☠️ 1 – Nick Daicos 67 ❄️
🏴‍☠️ 2 – Marcus Bontempelli 107 🤏
🏴‍☠️ 3 – Max Gawn 113 ✅
🏴‍☠️ 4 – Jordan Dawson 78 ❄️
🏴‍☠️ 5 – Tristan Xerri 116 ✅
🏴‍☠️ 6 – Darcy Cameron 113 ✅
🏴‍☠️ 7 – Rowan Marshall 116 ✅
🏴‍☠️ 8 – George Hewett 80 ❄️
🏴‍☠️ 9 – Lachie Whitfield 103 🤏
🏴‍☠️ 10 – Josh Dunkley 111 ✅

Here is how my top ten went last week. As you can see no big explosions last week, however, for round 10… I think things are going to change. So let’s get into it for round 10.

🔥 ON FIRE 🔥

As we know “form” is a huge factor when it comes to selecting a captain. No one is in better form than by Bailey Smith who is averaging 119 this year, coming off scores of 149, 119 and 132. He’s taking the piss. Port are a tricky match-up though, despite letting some points flow in their last two games.

Max Gawn has scored the most points over the last four weeks and is also running hot. He meets a ‘beat-up’ Oscar McInerney who is battling to even be fit for this game. Hence why Fort helped last week. Max has a great record against Oscar where he has scored 77, 149 and 162 against in his last three games.

📜 ELITE HISTORY 📜

I love captaining a player who has a great previous record against their opponent. Josh Dunkley has that and scored 158 and 123 against Melbourne last year.

Tristan Xerri had 150 against Richmond last year,  a score that he could push again. Rucks this year against the Tigers have been awesome with Max Gawn 138, TDK 132 and Marshall 123 being the best.

Jordan Dawson plays Collingwood this week and he loves the MCG. He scored 117 against the Magpies last year and before that he had 172 and 112.

🏟️ GROUND LOVERS 🏟️

How can you score points if you don’t love the ground you’re playing on? Lachie Whitfield returns home where he has scored 139 and 99 this year. Last year at ENGIE stadium, he scored 100-plus in eight of his nine games.

Dayne Zorko returns to the GABBA where he has averaged 105 this year. Even though that’s good, it’s a long way down from the 119 he averaged there in 2024. That’s huge.

✅ MATCH-UP ✅

This is one of the main factors, if not the main factor when it comes to picking a captain. Harry Sheezel plays Richmond this week and as we know they have given up the most points across all positions this year. They have given up the most 100-plus scores and rank #3 for midfielders to score against.

I’m expecting Connor Rozee to be good considering what scores Geelong have allowed recently…. Green 133, Callaghan 101… Pendles 120, Daicos 92… Cripps 131, Hewett 114 the most recent big names to battle the Cats. Rozee has scored 81, 109 and 106 in his last three against them.

West Coast have given up the most points to Rucks this year…. and second isn’t even close. Rowan Marshall had 118 and 96 against them last year but it’s the scores that they have given up recently is what is exciting where Nank 93, Gawn 158 and Meek 131 all filed their boots.

🏴‍☠️ 1 – Tristan Xerri v Richmond

🏴‍☠️ 2 – Rowan Marshall v West Coast

🏴‍☠️ 3 – Dayne Zorko v Melbourne 

🏴‍☠️ 4 – Harry Sheezel v Richmond

🏴‍☠️ 5 – Lachie Whitfield v Fremantle 

Calvin

Do you need a Captain? Then Calvin will help you out. Don't want a Captain? Calvin will tell you anyway. The man who digs deep into stats will help you pick a great captain and give you plenty of Fantasy advice. Follow him on Twitter: @CalvinDT