It’s that time of the year again – the time I say a big thank you to everyone who has popped in here each week for a bit of Calvin’s Captains. You guys are legends and I really do appreciate everyone who has used this as a resource for another year.

It is round 18 – the final round in the home and away season for 2020 and with Grand Finals just days away, I have been working extra hard to make sure this is the week we all nail a good captain.

So let’s get this thing started…

LIVE CHAT 8pm

TONIGHT (Wednesday 8pm) – join me for the final time in 2020 as I’ll be sitting down, with a beer (or two) chatting all things AFL Fantasy. Answering questions, talking captains and anything else that comes our way. Be sure to join me via Periscope @CalvinDT and with a sneaky punt on a greyhound at the end, what could possibly go wrong. Catch you then.

Let’s talk @AFLFantasy for the final time here on the People Prince’s Periscope. #calvinscaptains #AFLFantasy https://t.co/XP5Yerf9d4

— Calvin (@CalvinDT) September 16, 2020

CALVIN’S TOP 10

#1 – Zach Merrett v Melbourne

With previous scores of 97, 68, 106, 122 and 125 it’s not too hard to lock Merrett in with confidence this week. Melbourne are the second easiest team to score against for midfielders this year and the sixth easiest in the last five weeks. Add to this, Merrett’s history against the Demons is awesome where he has scored 95, 121, 108 and 136 in his last four.

VC OPTION: Plays Saturday 2:10pm

#2 – Max Gawn v Essendon

If you are after a captain to score you a ton, then Max is your man. His last three scores have basically all been right on 100 and this week he meets Draper (if he’s named). Gawn is in a different class to opposition ruckman at the moment and will score you the safest 100-110 score going around this week.

VC OPTION: Plays Saturday 2:10pm

#3 – Matt Crouch v Richmond

Crouch sat on 50pts from 20 disposals last week at half time before Curnow went and shut him down to 78. His form is amazing, and last week he dropped under 95 for the first time in his last five games. Geelong had five players over 80 last week against the Tigers and his history against them is through the roof with 101, 117, 33 (injured), 124 and 122 coming in his last five games. Also don’t forget the way he ended the 2019 season… with a huge 150 in his last game of the year.

VC OPTION: Plays Saturday 5:10pm

#4 – Tom Rockliff v Collingwood (Monday)

Rocky plays the final game of the home and away season and will bring home the bacon in a big way. The Pies rank as the fourth easiest team to score against for midfielders this year and Rocky is carrying some hot form that has seen him average 110 in his last three. His scores of 69 and 65 against Collingwood in his most recent games are not great, but it doesn’t reflect the way he is playing at the moment and the amount of piggery he is bringing.

#5 – Reilly O’Brien v Richmond

Soldo when down for Richmond last week and with Nankervis their only option, Blicavs went on to have 94, his best score for 2020. Now, last year against the Tigers, O’Brien had his highest score for this career with 146. ROB has averaged 94 in his last three and is primed to hit another ton on Saturday.

VC OPTION: Plays Saturday 5:10pm

#6 – Andrew Gaff v Kangaroos

Gaff will be my VC. He plays nice and early in the first game and is coming off a solid 110. He meets the Roos, a team that appears to have packed up shop for the season. The Roos gave Fremantle 5×80+ scores last week and players like Acres (97pts, 9m), Fyfe (88pts, 7m) and Walters (85pts, 7m) had a day out. North also rank as one of the easiest teams to score against in their last five games.

VC OPTION: Plays Thursday 7:10 (first game)

#7 – Jack Macrae v Fremantle (Sunday night)

Last year against the Dockers, Macrae scored 127 and 91. I’d love to have him higher this week but his form of 90, 81 and 86 can not warrant the move. He only took one mark last week, the equal lowest for the Dogs. He will dominate, and that’s why he sits this week at #7 and let’s not forget how he ended 2018 with that huge 190pts.

#8 – Scott Pendlebury v Port Adelaide (Monday)

Port are tough – but try telling that to Pendles who has averaged 107 (15 games) against the Power in his career which makes them one of his all-time favourties. He scored 126 on them last year and carries a lowest score of 89 against them in his last 13. Wowzers.

#9 – Dusty Martin v Adelaide

Fantasy coaches traded Dusty in for this game weeks ago, before the Crows got better. It shouldn’t matter, he will dominate them, just like he has in the past when he scored 140, 114 and 127 in his last three encounters. Dusty has only 1×100+ score in his last seven games though but will be much better than that against a side he has crushed before.

VC OPTION: Plays Saturday 5:10pm

#10 – Jake Lloyd v Geelong (Sunday)

Houli (38) struggled against the Cats last week which doesn’t paint a great picture for Lloyd. However, Lloyd’s team mates like him. In his last four games against Geelong he has scored 89, 129, 112 and 120.

WHY DON’T YOU LIKE?

Lachie Neale – Amazingly, Neale scored 90 at half time last year against the Blues before Curnow went to him, allowing him just 14pts in the second half. Curnow went to Matt Crouch last week after his busy start. Neale is coming off 37 but has been the best player this year, but could be shut down like he has before.

Jack Steele – Does he cop attention from DeBoer? It will be interesting and in this game, lot of things could happen. Does Steele (or Ross) tag Josh Kelly, who in return gets tagged from DeBoer? She’s a tough one, and one I’m happy to steer clear of.

Lachie Whitfield – Does he get attention from Seb Ross or someone like that? Ross usually tags midfielders but after his 68 last week, I’ll pass on Whitfield this week as the Saints can be tough – and hard to read.

Josh Kelly – I think Kelly is a sure thing to get attention this week, either from Ross or Steele. He is coming off 96, but I’m not as confident with him this week.

Duncan and Guthrie – Sydney are tough and Ryan Clarke tags. He held Neale (37) last week and will have a role this week, it’s just a little tough working out who he will go to. He went to Duncan early in 2019, but let him run free later in the year when he had 102. Be careful.

Clayton Oliver – Oliver could be ok, but Dylan Clarke could run with him. Rocky 122 and Wines 86 ran free last week against the Bombers and Oliver did only have 89 on them last year. Pass.

Brodie Grundy – Port are the fourth hardest rucks to score against and in recent weeks Draper (44) and Goldy (59) struggled. Yes, they are not in Grundy’s league but I think we have better than the ruckpig this week.