Calvin’s Captains is back for 2024. If for some reason you have stumbled across this for the first time, Calvin’s Captains has been the greatest AFL Fantasy article over the years where I (Calvinator) go into tremendous detail to find you the best captain option for the round ahead.

Over in our Patreon, you can read the full and extended article each and every week. Over there, I go through 30-plus of the best players (on Tuesday 7pm) and analyse their match-ups, taggers, what their opponents give up, past performances, weather conditions, history at the ground and much more.

This game by game and player previews occur on Tuesday, followed by my final top-10 which are announced on Thursday at 7:00pm, in the exact order that I would pick them. I’ll also let you know my VC and Captains for the week.

For $5 or $10 a month can also find….

• Roy’s Rollin’ 22 (updated weekly)
• Cal’s Scale of Hardness (updated weekly)
• Pint Cast (Q&A Wednesday podcast)
• Calvin’s Captains – extended version (Tuesday)
• Calvin’s Captains – Top 10 (Thursday)
• Jaiden’s epic spreadsheets (awesome resource)
• Sunday night LIVE show – including green vest punishments
• Exclusive competitions ($$$ up for grabs)

So if you’d like to check that out, click on the links. We appreciate your support!

In the meantime, here are my top-5 players for the week ahead. Good luck legends!

CALVIN’S TOP-5

No. 1 – Gulden v Collingwood
@ the MCG, FRI 7:40pm 

I know what you are thinking… but hear me out. His 69 last week was terrible but he bounces back here… in a big way. He scored 161 on the Pies last year at the MCG and will be hungry after what happened in the Opening Round. Last week against the Pies, the Giants had 3×115+ scores against them and I’m tipping Gulden to be huge here. Think back to 2023 and his pre-season…

No. 2 – Marshall v Geelong
@ GMHBA Stadium, SAT 7:30pm 

Big Rowan scored 100 in the practice game and 141 against the Cats last year… but Stanley didn’t play. I’m not too concerned about anything here, Marshall is one of the best in the game who finished averaging 123 after his bye. Lock and load if you are a lucky owner.

No. 3 – Green v Kangaroos
@ GIANTS Stadium, SAT 4:35pm 

For some reason, Green only managed 73 on the Roos last year, one of his worst scores for the year. St Kilda had 4×100+ against them in the practice game and we all know that the Roos give up plenty… and when I say plenty, I mean a shitload. Interestingly, Green only had 5×120+ scores last season… however, when they’re big, they’re massive. Great VC option.

No. 4 – Bontempelli v Melbourne
@ the MCG, SUN 1:00pm 

So…Green had 5×120+ last year, Bont had 5×120+ in his last 7 games. Safe as houses. Coming off a last 127 in his practice game, Bont is ready to roll. Heeney had 121 last week on the Demons… and last year Bont had 99 against them in this round one clash (early on when he was quiet). It’s Bont… you know what he can deliver. But also note that his record at the MCG isn’t overly great.

No. 5 – English v Melbourne v
@ the MCG, SUN 1:00pm 

English scored 115 on Max in round one last year and 116, 106 before that. Grundy defeated Gawn last week with 118 which means, Tim should be great also. The best player of 2023 is a reliable Sunday option here. Expect him have big numbers in this one. You paid up for the big man? Back him in.

ALSO CONSIDER…

Connor Rozee – In 2023, West Coast were the #1 easiest for MIDs and to prove my point, Rozee had 133 against them. Port at home are awesome, even better when they play the Eagles. This could get very nasty.

Max Gawn – English is the second easiest ruck to score against and last year this is what the recognised ruckman had against him… Max 113, Briggs 130, Marshall 116, Darcy 126, Witts 111, O’Brien 114, Nankervis 105 and 70.

Lachie Whitfield – 137 from 14 marks last week and he should be huge again. In the recent practice game (v Nth) we saw defenders like Bonnor (104, 7m), Wanganeen-Milera (99, 6m) and Schoenmaker (83, 11m) all doing well.

LIVE SHOWS

Yep, if you haven’t heard we are coming to Adelaide and Perth. If you have never been to one of our LIVE shows then you need to get along for some Fantasy fun and beers. Tickets are selling fast for these one off shows so click below to secure your tickets. Let’s have a froth or ten…

$5,000 KNOCKOUT COMPETITION

We’ve just announced that our Knockout League is running again. Our mates with the four colour pens, BIC, have come on board as a sponsor.

It is an open competition like we did at the back end of last season but we didn’t want our Patreon mates to miss out. $5,000 for the winner … but if the winner is a member of Patreon, we’ll add an extra $1,000. If you finish in the top 16, we’ll throw you $100.

All you have to do is join the league: S72MKEKL

https://fantasy.afl.com.au/classic/leagues/join/S72MKEKL

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