The Phantom’s Round 7 captain analysis: It’s hard to go past the big men again but Hawk James Sicily is worth some thought

The fixture is back to normal this week but there’s still plenty of SuperCoach vice-captain and captain options to consider. The Phantom looks at the numbers, best options and left-field picks.

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The fixture is back to normal this week but there’s still plenty of SuperCoach vice-captain and captain options to consider. The Phantom looks at the numbers, best options and left-field picks.

THE BEST OPTIONS

Brodie Grundy (Coll)

V Port Adelaide, Friday night

In Round 22 last season, Grundy dominated Paddy Ryder and the Power, tallying 25 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 42 hit-outs and 162 points. While Ryder now has Scott Lycett by his side, Grundy finished with 141 points the last time he came up against a ruck duo featuring Lycett, in last year’s grand final.

Travis Boak at training, ahead of his 250th game against Collingwood. Picture SARAH REED

Travis Boak (Port)

V Collingwood, Friday night

It’s not fair to look back at Boak’s form — scores of 117, 90 and 73 in past three — against the Magpies, or any opponent for that matter, in the past two seasons. He’s back in the midfield in 2019 and he’s in career-best form, averaging 123 SuperCoach points across the opening six rounds. And that’s why he’s a great VC option in his 250th game on Friday night. Magpie stopper Levi Greenwood is a concern but he’s no certainty to get the job on Boak.

Max Gawn (Melb)

V Hawthorn, Saturday

Only Grundy has scored more points the Gawn in the past three rounds so an all-ruckman combination could be the one to go with again this week. Gawn, coming off a season-high 145 points against Tigers in Round 6, has scored 112, 168 and 115 in past three matches against the Hawks.

James Sicily (Haw)

V Melbourne, Saturday

After averaging a modest 92 points in the opening three rounds, the Hawthorn defender has exploded in the past three matches, posting scores of 119, 117 and 127. With Melbourne’s forward line in a mess, Richmond defenders Nick Vlastuin (155) and Bachar Houli (142) went big last week, tallying 60 disposals and 20 marks between them. If you’re trading Sicily in this week and you’re happy to overlook the big men, here’s your VC.

Is Josh Kelly about to explode after recommitting to the Giants until at least the end of 2021

Josh Kelly (GWS)

V St Kilda, Saturday

With two SuperCoach tons and a low-score of 95, the star midfielder is building nicely after an interrupted pre-season. And, after signing a two-year contract extension during the week, Kelly could be ready to explode against the Saints — a team he scored 130 points against in Round 19 last year. Saint Jack Steele might pay him some attention at stoppages but he’ll also have Stephen Coniglio and Tim Taranto to deal with.

Lachie Neale (Bris)

V Sydney, Saturday

Lachie Neale is on fire, recording his fourth score of 140 or more for the year against the Suns last week. And the Swans are struggling, giving up nine SuperCoach tons to the Giants in the Derby.

Jack Macrae (WB)

V Richmond, Saturday night

After posting four big SuperCoach tons to start the year, Macrae has finished with just 97 and 85 in the past two weeks. But with a three-match average of 137 against this week’s opponent (Richmond) — the highest in the competition — he has to remain in the conversation.

Patrick Cripps (Carl)

V North Melbourne, Sunday

There’s three big captain options in action on Sunday with the Carlton skipper the first-man up in the lunchtime fixture. Cripps posted a season-low 93 points against the Hawks last round but he’ll be doing everything in his power to get his side over the line against the Kangaroos. It’s hard to see him scoring less than three figures in consecutive weeks.

Surely it’s back to three figures in SuperCoach for Patrick Dangerfield this week.

Patrick Dangerfield (Gee)

V Essendon, Sunday

Dangerfield’s 93 points against the Eagles last week marked the third time he’s failed to reach three figures this season. But, after tallying 30 disposals, nine marks, seven tackles and 10 contested possessions, an equal-game-high eight clangers was the main reason for the low score. Although I’ll overlook Dangerfield in my combination this week, there’s a good chance he’ll step in a big way when the Bombers challenge the Cats.

Nat Fyfe (Freo)

V Adelaide, Sunday

Fyfe has wasted little time finding form after a one-week lay-off with concussion, recording scores of 110 and 128 in the past two weeks. While Adelaide should be too strong at home, Fyfe will be among the points again on Sunday. A career-average of 116 against the Crows is his highest against any side.

Shannon Hurn is in ripping form despite his side’s woes. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

SMOKIES

Shannon Hurn (WC)

V Gold Coast, Saturday night

The West Coast skipper is the fourth-highest SuperCoach scorer in the game over the past three weeks and his impressive run should continue against the Suns at home on Saturday night. Only considered Hurn as your VC if you are looking at playing a Sunday captain.

Elliot Yeo (WC)

V Gold Coat, Saturday night

After scoring 150 points against the Suns in their last meeting, Saturday night’s clash could really kick-start Yeo’s 2019 campaign. If you’ve stuck with Yeo, who scored a season-high 116 points last week, after a slow start, consider him as a left-field VC.

THE PHANTOM’S CALL

It’s safe but it’s likely to be the big-man combination of Grundy VC and Gawn C for The Phantom is Round 7.

THE NUMBERS

SuperCoach Round 7 Captains By The Numbers