LaHug's Captains 2018 - Round 1

[LaHug]

Captains for Cancer Council.
https://myownway.everydayhero.com/au/will-huggett-s-2018-fundraising

Please pledge funds to help fight cancer! Examples of ways you can help:
1.   Pledge an amount (e.g. $5) for every time LaHug nails the top captain of the round.
2.   Pledge an amount (e.g. $5) for every time LaHug's POD cracks the 120 mark.
3.   Pledge an amount (e.g. $5) for every time LaHug gets egg on his face and his number 1 scores under 100.
4.   Make a once off donation.

Please comment your pledges!

Pledges:
LaHug - $10 every time my number 1 doesn't crack the ton.
LaHug - $50 if my POD ever cracks 150.

[LaHug]

OH WE'RE FROM TIGERLAND!!! Still haven't quite come down form that high just yet but time for another year. Each week I will tell you some statistics on a player's last 3 games, their last 3 against this week's opponent, and their last 3 at this ground. I will also do a quick overview on my thoughts and have a guess at their score for this week. From all this, I'll give you my top 5 captain choices for the week.

We have a partial lockout this week for the Richmond vs. Carlton game which means we can use the CAPTAINS LOOPHOLE!

How it works:

1.   Select a player from the Tigers or Blues as your VICE CAPTAIN.
2.   For now, set your captain to someone worthy of captaincy in another game in case you forget to change it.
3.   IF your VC scores really well, sub a non-playing player onto the field and set them as captain. It's round 1 so this should only be the case if team selections and rookies are unkind.
4.   Make sure you have an emergency in the position of your non-playing captain!

Note: This has risks if there are any late withdrawals as you won't have cover.

The facts & thoughts:

Dustin Martin
2017 average: 114, Round 1 2017: 139
Last 3 against Carlton: 96, 139, 75 (103 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 90, 88, 106 (95 avg)

After always struggling in Round 1, Dusty pulled out a 139 against the Blues last year. From there, he was a top 8 mid and a regular captain choice. Great VC choice. Prediction - 115

Marc Murphy
2017 average: 111, Round 1 2017: 139
Last 3 against Richmond: 90, 139, 126 (118 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 107, 105, 132 (115 avg)

Murphy has a great record against the Tigers and also scored 139 in last year's opener. The difference is that Murphy has a much more consistent history against the Tiges and, hence, is the best VC. Prediction - 125

Zach Merrett
2017 average: 117, Round 1 2017: 129
Last 3 against Adelaide: 134, 101, 31 (89 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 144, 82, 96 (107 avg)

Great against the Crows last year and just great in general, Merrett looks primed to be a consistent feature this season. Prediction - 120

Rory Sloane
2017 average: 107, Round 1 2017: 68
Last 3 against Essendon: 97, 143, 128 (123 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 97, 74, 88 (86 avg)

Will Sloane get tagged? That was a question we asked over and over last year. If not, he can score 143 against the Bombers. I'm not brave enough for Round 1. Prediction - 100

Bryce Gibbs
2017 average: 112, Round 1 2017: 105
Last 3 against Essendon: 125, 136, 95 (119 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 105, 97, 108 (103 avg)

Gibbs loves the Bombers and it will be interesting to see how he fits with a new team. Attending the most centre bounces in the preseason is a good sign. Prediction - 125

Dayne Zorko
2017 average: 114, Round 1 2017: 116
Last 3 against St Kilda: 117, 100, 93 (103 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 48, 124, 157 (110 avg)

After averaging 114 last year, Zorko will be in many Round 1 teams. Don't expect anything huge from him this week but he should be his consistent good-to-great. Prediction - 110

Tom Rockliff
2017 average: 103, Round 1 2017: 127
Last 3 against Fremantle: 95, 142, 154 (130 avg)
Last 3 at AO: 74, 127, 33 (78 avg)

Potential knee problems? Stacked midfield in his new team? Are we expecting the same old dominant Rocky after a down year? If so, that 3 game average against the Dockers looks very tempting. Prediction - 120

Nat Fyfe
2017 average: 97, Round 1 2017: 110
Last 3 against Port: 116, 95, 124 (112 avg)
Last 3 at AO: 80, 116, 150 (115 avg)

Everyone's hoping for Fyfe to bounce back to his 2015 best this year. If he does, expect great scores. Prediction - 115

Tom Mitchell
2017 average: 127, Round 1 2017: 128
Last 3 against Collingwood: 135, 177, 132 (148 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 99, 94, 147 (113 avg)

Remember 50 disposals and 177 points? Tom Mitchell loves to destroy the Pies. It doesn't matter how pricey he is, you MUST have him in your team. Prediction - 135

Taylor Adams
2017 average: 115, Round 1 2017: 151
Last 3 against Hawthorn: 95, 116, 95 (102 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 97, 132, 151 (127 avg)

Adams matches up well against the Hawks but it's his love of the MCG that has me really excited. He opened 2017 with a huge 151 so can he do it again? Prediction - 115

LAHUG'S POD!

Dayne Beams
2017 average: 105, Round 1 2017: 103
Last 3 against St Kilda: 124, 152, 126 (134 avg)
Last 3 at Etihad: 95, 126, 124 (115 avg)

Beams is only in 8% of teams and loves to play against the Saints. Start him and give him the C for a doubled-up POD. Emotions will be high after the passing of his father and it’s impossible to tell how that will affect his score. Prediction - 130

The verdict:
1.   Tom Mitchell (135)

2.   Dayne Beams (130)
3.   Marc Murphy (125)
4.   Bryce Gibbs (125)
5.   Zach Merrett (120)

[GoLions]

Placeholder for witty response in the works...

[LaHug]

Placeholder for witty response in the works...

It had better be witty and contain a pledge...

[Ricochet]

50 disp and 177x2 points would be a nice way to start the year. Lock in Titch

[Jukes]

50 disp and 177x2 points would be a nice way to start the year. Lock in Titch

Would be very nice. I'd even be willing to settle for only 150 from him (anything below that though...tsk tsk tsk)

I'm sure 95% of serious teams will have him in and 95% of those teams will have him captain so it's not like we're all gaining much but it's always better to rack up some extra points.

As for Richmond and Carlton players...who needs them. I'll just back in Zachy or Zorks with the VC.

[LaHug]

As for Richmond and Carlton players...who needs them. I'll just back in Zachy or Zorks with the VC.

Nothing to lose by giving a VC to one of them though... You'd be spewing if you had Dusty, he went for 160, and you didn't VC him.

[Jukes]

As for Richmond and Carlton players...who needs them. I'll just back in Zachy or Zorks with the VC.

Nothing to lose by giving a VC to one of them though... You'd be spewing if you had Dusty, he went for 160, and you didn't VC him.

Who needs them being literal in more than just the captain sense, I literally don't have any in my side. Is it worth going with Dusty over Zorko, who I prefer, simply on the basis that I can VC him in round one and maybe have it work out alright? Probably not.

[WhatMate]

Glad this is back mate! Can not ignore Mitchell's history against the pies, Simpson will be given the VC

[LaHug]

As for Richmond and Carlton players...who needs them. I'll just back in Zachy or Zorks with the VC.

Nothing to lose by giving a VC to one of them though... You'd be spewing if you had Dusty, he went for 160, and you didn't VC him.

Who needs them being literal in more than just the captain sense, I literally don't have any in my side. Is it worth going with Dusty over Zorko, who I prefer, simply on the basis that I can VC him in round one and maybe have it work out alright? Probably not.

Of course it's not. Only do it if you already have a Tiger or Blue

[Chelskiman]

I'm a Tigers' fan and I don't have any Tigers in my AF team.  I do in RDT and SC though, so I'll definitely be going Dusty as VC in those.  Mitchell has the C on him at the moment though.  I think you would be mad to go anyone else in the first game of the season unless your loophole option goes bang.

[Rusty00]

For everyone's info, DT is a rolling lockout through Round 1 so can use more than Carlton or Richmond players as your VC this week :)

[LaHug]

For everyone's info, DT is a rolling lockout through Round 1 so can use more than Carlton or Richmond players as your VC this week :)

Thanks Rusty! Forgot that one. Same as last year. Obviously comes down to rookies named but Merrett or Beams into Mitchell is a great option in those two.

[kilbluff1985]

who will ppl Captain if there vc goes big?

[Chelskiman]

4th ruck I'd imagine.