The Phantom’s Round 14 captain analysis: Revert to the Gawn-Grundy combination or play wildcard?

The big scorers are back and the fixture is kind, meaning it’s Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy top the list on SuperCoach captain candidates. But there is a wildcard. The Phantom goes through all the Round 14 options.

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Finally, after two long weeks, normality has returned to SuperCoach captaincy.

The top-three players, by average, are back in action and, more importantly, in different games.

With the bye rounds and team selection delivering so much uncertainty — and sub-par performances — it’s time to play it safe with your Round 13 captain.

And that means the tried-and-tested Max Gawn-Brodie Grundy combination sits atop the list this week.

MAX GAWN (MELB)

v Fremantle, Saturday

Gawn’s average of 129 is the highest in the competition and in his past two matches against the Dockers, the Melbourne big man has posted scores of 151 and 141. Do I need to go on? No, I don’t. Make him your VC on Saturday afternoon.

Brodie Grundy at Collingwood training ahead of the Round 14 clash with the Bulldogs

BRODIE GRUNDY (COLL)

v Western Bulldogs, Sunday

If Gawn doesn’t perform, back in Grundy, after a week off, as captain. The 25-year-old tallied 23 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 17 hitouts-to-advantage and 160 SuperCoach points against young Bulldogs ruckman Tim English in Round 4. While English has improved since then — and will continue to do so rapidly — Grundy should dominate once again, despite the game being played at Marvel Stadiuum.

But there is a wildcard.

PATRICK DANGERFIELD (GEEL)

v Port Adelaide, Saturday night

Providing Dangerfield makes the trip — wife Mardi is due to give birth to their second child within the next two weeks — he must be considered, given his outstanding record at Adelaide Oval. The former Crow has posted scores of 128, 158, 135, 142, 132, 137 and 119 in his seven matches at the venue since leaving Adelaide. And then there’s his three-game average of 144 against the Power. Hmm.

THE OTHER OPTIONS

Jake Lloyd has an impressive recent record against Hawks.

Jake Lloyd (Syd)

v Hawthorn, Friday night

Despite the other rock-solid options, if you’re after a less-popular VC, the playmaking Sydney defender is worth some thought. Lloyd has recorded SuperCoach tons in 11 of his 12 matches this season — six of them in excess of 120 — and he’s posted scores of 149 and 130 in his past two against the Hawks.

Nat Fyfe (Freo)

v Melbourne, Saturday

It was business as usual for the Fremantle skipper last week, with Fyfe 129 points against the Power to making it eight SuperCoach tons on-the-trot. And in his last trip to the MCG, the win against Collingwood in Round 11, Fyfe recorded a game-high 145.

Lachie Neale (Bris)

v St Kilda, Saturday

At $578k, if you don’t already have him, it’s likely you’re trading him in this week, immediately giving you another go-to captain option. Neale’s back at Marvel Stadium against the Saints in Round 13, the scene of his 106-point score in his last start. But there’s no Ed Curnow this time — or Jack Steele for the Saints — so expect Neale to get off the leash on Saturday.

Jack Macrae (WB)

v Collingwood, Sunday

After an inconsistent few weeks, Macrae bounced back after the bye, recording a season-high 150 points against the Blues last week. While his recent numbers against the Magpies don’t scream ‘captain me’, expect it to be a high-possession midfield battle on Sunday, one which Macrae will be in the thick of.

Can Bulldog Josh Dunkley repeat his 173-point performance from last week?

Josh Dunkley (WB)

v Collingwood, Sunday

With scores of 130, 119 and 173 in his past three matches, only Max Gawn boasts a better three-round average than Dunkley, who — finally! — is back in the midfield on a permanent basis. I’d pick him over Macrae, if you’re in need of a left-field captain option on Sunday.