Calvin’s Captains – Rd. 23

Legends – welcome to the second-last… the penultimate (yes, I googled the spelling) Calvin’s Captains for 2026. It’s been a funky year but one thing that has been solid and good for the season is CAPTAINS.

🏴‍☠️ 1 – Gulden v ESS
@ MCG, SUN 4:40pm

✅ Essendon No.1 for MIDs this yr
✅ Form – 135, 104 and 137
✅ 114 v Bombers last year
❌ Chance of being rested

🏴‍☠️ 2 – Hill v RICH
@ MCG, SAT 12:35pm

⭐ Averaged 126 on ‘easy’ teams this year
✅ RICH #3 easy for DEFs
✅ Averaged 111 last 8
🏟️ 89 and 110 at the MCG this year

🏴‍☠️  3 – Daicos v HAW
@ MCG, SAT 7:40pm

✅ Form – 111, 109, 116 and 113
❌ 0x120 in last 6gms
✅ 124 v Hawks in round 8
✅ Last wk v HAW: Neale 147 & Ashcroft 122

🏴‍☠️ 4 – Xerri v GEEL
@ Marvel, SAT 3:45pm

✅ Rucks v Geelong: Dominate
⭐ 131 v Cats round 8… 156 before that.
❌ Coming off 91 and 95

🏴‍☠️ 5 – Ashcroft v SUNS
@ GABBA, SAT 4:15pm

⭐ Avg. 126 in his last 8
🏟️ GABBA avg. 131 last four
❌ 86 on the Suns this year

Bailey Smith – Smith didn’t get tagged in round 8 and only managed 71 on the Roos that day – Coming off 132, 83 and 78. Will be good!

Max Hall – Beats up on easy teams and the Tigers are certainylone of those. Bulk MID time last week and could explode.

Lachie Neale – 147, 83 and 78 are Neale’s last three scores but kills the Suns… 122 (round 13 this year), 124, 90, 129 and 137.

Jordan Dawson – Freo #3 hardest for MIDs. Dawson’s last scores v Freo – 100, 100, 100 (true)

Harry Sheezel – Tagged by Mullin in round 8 to 80. Scored 114 last week and still getting it done. LDU a tag chance you’d think.

Matt Rowell – 182, 125, 95 and 120 is hot form. He had 73 on the Lions in round 13.

Max Gawn – Love Max this week… 126, 118 and 146 are his last scores against the Power. 95 last week.

Lachie Whitfield – Tagged by Murdoch to 59 this year (round 10) and coming off 105 and 127.

Marcus Bontempelli – 92 on the Blues in round 10 – as Roy says “Blues are tough”.

Zach Merrett – Could be tagged by Jai Serong or James Jordan. Hasn’t hit 100 in his last three against the Swans.

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