LaHug's Captains 2019 - Round 5

[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 partial lockouts this week for the Brisbane vs. Collingwood and North vs. Essendon games which means we can use the CAPTAINS LOOPHOLE!

How it works:

1.   Select a player from the Lions, Pies, Roos, or Bombers 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.
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:

Lachie Neale
Last 3: 139, 135, 146 (140 avg)
Last 3 against Collingwood: 113, 117, 104 (111 avg)
Last 3 at Gabba: 135, 91, 108 (111 avg)

This guy is killing it this year and is the obvious VC choice. If Greenwood's named, he could tag Neale but he could also tag Zorko. Either way, it's a VC so free hit! Prediction - 135

Brodie Grundy
Last 3: 153, 122, 112 (129 avg)
Last 3 against Brisbane: 89, 111, 107 (102 avg)
Last 3 at Gabba: 111, 102, 67 (93 avg)

Doubters after Round 1 are eating humble pie right now. Grundy is the top ruck in Fantasy and it's not even close. He typically struggles against Martin but he's still your best VC if you don't have Neale. Prediction - 120

Andrew Gaff
Last 3: 134, 97 (116 avg)
Last 3 against Port: 110, 118, 83 (104 avg)
Last 3 at Perth: 134, 109, 104 (116 avg)

Gaff could be a great trade in your midfield, particularly if you need to upgrade Sheed after Gaff's stolen his disposals. Typically good against the Power and looking comfortable despite his time off. Prediction - 115

Tom Rockliff
Last 3: 132, 43, 115 (97 avg)
Last 3 against West Coast: 85, 93, 135 (104 avg)
Last 3 at Perth: 80 (80 avg)

Rocky bounced straight back after his concussion to score 132. He's probably Port's most damaging player right now which means he might get attention from Hutchings this week. Too risky for me but a good chance to go big if he doesn't get tagged. Prediction - 110

Lachie Whitfield
Last 3: 124, 162, 133 (140 avg)
Last 3 against Fremantle: 66, 88, 118 (91 avg)
Last 3 at Manuka: 135, 66, 114 (105 avg)

Writing this article is a weekly reminder that I don't have Whitfield in my team. It hurts. Teams are letting him roam free with no attention and, although de Boer is tagging these days, I think Whitfield will continue to roam free as teams try to nulify Cogs or Kelly instead. Prediction - 135

Max Gawn
Last 3: 125, 107, 113 (115 avg)
Last 3 against St Kilda: 135, 111, 75 (107 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 107, 68, 104 (93 avg)

Big Max loves playing the Saints but I think Marshall brings more to the table than Billy Longer. Should be good regardless but maybe not 135 good. Prediction - 115

Jake Lloyd
Last 3: 122, 120, 127 (123 avg)
Last 3 against Richmond: 125, 91, 131 (116 avg)
Last 3 at Docklands: 120, 126, 94 (113 avg)

I feel like a broken record but Lloyd will keep scoring 120+ until Longmire changes his gameplan. It's not a winning gameplan but Horse is incredibly stubborn so keep locking in Lloyd if you want a safe 120+. Prediction - 125

Jack Macrae
Last 3: 109, 132, 124 (122 avg)
Last 3 against Carlton: 124, 145, 123 (131 avg)
Last 3 at Docklands: 132, 107, 124 (121 avg)

Macrae's 109 was disappointing last week but the fact that it's so disappointing shows how good Macrae is. He loves to play the Blues so should go big here. Prediction - 135

Patrick Cripps
Last 3: 163, 121, 116 (133 avg)
Last 3 against Bulldogs: 104, 112, 107 (108 avg)
Last 3 at Docklands: 121, 120, 104 (115 avg)

Glad I nailed this one last week. Cripps was always going to go huge against the Suns and could've gone bigger had he not slept through the first quarter. Less of a strong history against the Dogs but I'm backing his form at the moment. Prediction - 125

Patrick Dangerfield
Last 3: 66, 132, 134 (111 avg)
Last 3 against Hawthorn: 126, 118, 140 (128 avg)
Last 3 at MCG: 103, 85, 126 (105 avg)

A measly 66 points is not what we wanted or expected from Danger last week. Have no fear though, he'll bounce back against the Hawks - a team that he loves to play. Prediction - 120

LAHUG'S POD!

Marcus Bontempelli
Last 3: 116, 129, 111 (119 avg)
Last 3 against Carlton: 117, 122, 118 (119 avg)
Last 3 at Docklands: 129, 128, 117 (125 avg)

I mentioned Gaff as a potential upgrade option in the mids this week but I'm leaning more towards the Bont. Great form at the moment, loves to play the Blues, and loves it at home. Most likely will score another 115-120 type score but the potential for more is definitely there. Potential - 140

The verdict:
1.   Jack Macrae (135)
2.   Lachie Neale (135)
3.   Lachie Whitfield (135)
4.   Jake Lloyd (125)
5.   Patrick Cripps (125)

[Football Factory]

Think ill loop Grundy with Whitfield captain?

Was tempted to bring Neale in this week for the loophole but ill stick with my original plan.

[LaHug]

I don't have any of the top 4 in AF... Writing these posts is making me hate my team haha

[WhatMate]

I'm selfishly hoping that Whitfield cops Banfield/Conca this week, Hewitt next week, and Steele the week after

[Football Factory]

I'm selfishly hoping that Whitfield cops Banfield/Conca this week, Hewitt next week, and Steele the week after

Helps Coniglio  :)

[Braxton8ers]

You would have to think that Whitfield gets tagged soon.  But I rarely understand AFL coaches - so who knows. 

I just know that I won't be captaining anyone facing DeBoer for a while!

I think I will be looping Grundy and just hoping he makes my decision for me.  ;)

[jvalles69]

Far out, Treloars VC score is so flowering awkward!

[LaHug]

Far out, Treloars VC score is so flowering awkward!

I'd take it for sure. My prediction for Macrae is 135 and look at Neale (also 135 prediction with no Greenwood) only scoring 76. Wouldn't risk it.

[fanTCfool]

Jake Lloyd VC thanks for coming  8)