LaHug's Captains 2019 - 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.

Did you know that this is the 9th year I've done this? I'll continue to help with a smile and free of charge but, if you want to thank me, please donate to my charity efforts! 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 and a speicial POD choice.

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 odds are it's a Ruck rookie or you're out of luck.
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:

Patrick Cripps
Last 3 against Richmond: 130, 109, 77 (105 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 106, 146, 140 (131 avg)

Cripps is the best VC option as he has the great combination of ceiling and history. He scored 130 in Round 1 last year which I would lock in ten times out of ten this week. Prediction - 125

Dustin Martin
Last 3 against Carlton: 110, 96, 139 (115 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 54, 110, 115 (93 avg)

Definitely would've give Dusty the C Round 1 as there's too much risk of him being parked up forward with Caddy out and Lynch potentially out. He has scored well on the Blues in the past so he's still a good VC. Prediction - 100

Brodie Grundy
Last 3 against Geelong: 128, 93, 106 (109 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 99, 134, 111 (115 avg)

The Cats have depleted ruck depth and Grundy should feast on them this week. He scored a 128 on them last year and I'd expect the same or better with the new rules. Prediction - 130

Patrick Dangerfield
Last 3 against Collingwood: 106, 126, 76 (103 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 85, 126, 128 (113 avg)

Danger is typically good against the Pies and the fact he's in the majority of teams means you won't get double burned if he does flop. I like Danger this week with potentially more midfield time if GAJ moves to a full-time forward. Prediction - 115

Max Gawn
Last 3 against Port: 113, 83, 120 (105 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 104, 92, 120 (105 avg)

Gawn scored a handy 111 against Lycett in Round 22 before having his colours lowered in the Prelim. I'd back Gawn to want a revenge game against the former Eagle. His scoring history against the Power is pretty good in general as well. Prediction - 115

Matt Crouch
Last 3 against Hawthorn: 106, 128, 80 (105 avg)
Last 3 at AO: 136, 134, 123 (131 avg)

Matt Crouch loved playing at home on the back end of last year and should excel again this week against a depleted Hawks midfield. Expect him to feast like he did in the JLT. Prediction - 125

Jack Macrae
Last 3 against Sydney: 128, 105, 92 (108 avg)
Last 3 at Docklands: 124, 118, 132 (125 avg)

Beware the Hewett tag. I don't know who it will go to but I'd expect it to hurt Macrae if he gets it. Of course, if he doesn't, he had 8 scores above 130 last year so is a good option every week. Prediction - 120

Lachie Neale
Last 3 against West Coast: 94, 138, 114 (115 avg)
Last 3 at Gabba: 108, 52, 107 (89 avg)

I like Neale this week for two reasons. Firstly, he's typically good against his old Derby rivals. Secondly, I have to assume he'll come out firing for his new club. All of that should mean a good Round 1 score at home. Prediction - 115

Stephen Coniglio
Last 3 against Essendon: 123, 120, 98 (114 avg)
Last 3 at Showgrounds: 94, 98, 111 (101 avg)

Cogs has the potential to improve yet again this season. He's in a contract year and Shiel is gone. His history against the Bombers says he should be good Round 1. Prediction - 125

Nat Fyfe
Last 3 against North: 128, 114, 87 (110 avg)
Last 3 at Perth: 57, 36, 128 (74 avg)

I'm not touching Fyfe with his injury risk but he's got good history against North. If you're confident he's healthy, you could do much worse. Prediction - 110

LAHUG'S POD!

Scott Pendlebury
Last 3 against Geelong: 141, 114, 142 (132 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 64, 72, 106 (81 avg)

Look at that scoring history against the Cats and ask yourself "Why not?" Pendles is already a unique in your team just by having him so I'd be tempted to double dip for the fast start. Potential - 140

The verdict:
1.   Brodie Grundy (130)
2.   Matt Crouch (125)
3.   Patrick Cripps (125)
4.   Stephen Coniglio (125)
5.   Jack Macrae (120)

[LaHug]

And don't forget to enter my charity footy tipping competition: http://forum.fanfooty.com.au/index.php/topic,112779.0.html

[WhatMate]

Cheers mate!

[Chelskiman]

Cripps into Grundy is the safe and most logical option.

[LaHug]

Cripps into Grundy is the safe and most logical option.

For sure. Cripps is the logical VC. Dusty is the for-glory VC. Walsh is the alcohol poisoning VC...

[Football Factory]

Went with Grundy in DT  :-[  .. should have loopholed Cripps 101  ;D

[LaHug]

Grundy looked the right call. I can't believe he was so bad. Looked unfit.

[Football Factory]

Grundy looked the right call. I can't believe he was so bad. Looked unfit.

Yeah he was terrible, kept getting into poor positions in terms of marking and just did not work back to help out at all.

His ruck work was good, fed some nice taps to the mids.

[Mat0369]

The pig is back

[Football Factory]

The pig is back

I should have captained him  :D

[Mat0369]

I should have captained him  :D

Same  :P Just glad I have him so far.

[Chelskiman]

Cripps into Grundy is the safe and most logical option.

For sure. Cripps is the logical VC. Dusty is the for-glory VC. Walsh is the alcohol poisoning VC...

May have been safe and logical but it totally failed.

[Football Factory]

Cripps into Grundy is the safe and most logical option.

For sure. Cripps is the logical VC. Dusty is the for-glory VC. Walsh is the alcohol poisoning VC...

May have been safe and logical but it totally failed.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing  :D

[jvalles69]

Went Sheed. :D

[Football Factory]

Went Sheed. :D

serious?