Señor Winning here to take you through your best captain options in Round 19.
Before we get into it, I have to mention that this weekend is crunch time for #winning. My team is lining up against TDH’s Horry’s Horrendos in a match this is likely to decide my top eight future. There is simply no other option than victory, meaning that my captain selection is going to be vital, as I’m sure it will be for you if you’re like me, and sitting just outside of the eight. Let’s see how my choices for last week performed.
Remember, I don’t order these players, rather just go through five (plus a wildcard) for you to consider.
Rd 18 Captains Review
James Maloney – 89
Cameron Smith – DNP
Shaun Fensom – 69
Daly Cherry-Evans – 49
Nathan Hindmarsh – 30
Wildcard: Wade Graham – 41
Average: 59.25
Average including Wildcard: 55.6
Smith’s late omission really hurt a lot of people, and I didn’t include him in the averages above. I hope everyone jumped on Maloney – he certainly delivered! We have all 16 teams to pick from – let’s look at the contenders this week.
James Maloney – Projected score: 86
Coming off last week’s 89, Maloney is poised to do it all again this week against the Broncos. While he wouldn’t be the first to come to mind, history suggests he can perform in this fixture. In his last two games at Suncorp Stadium against the Broncs, he’s scored 74 and 69, along with a 50 when these sides last met in Round 9 earlier this season. It might be a bit of a risk picking him here, but if he’s your go-to guy, you could do far worse.
Ben Barba – Projected score: 52
Barba + Eels = PROFIT. If you, like everyone else, think the Bulldogs can do a number on Parramatta, don’t hesitate captaining this man. He’s presently in some sublime form, and I don’t think the Eels will offer much resistance. Scored 69 in his last two outings against Parra. Can he make it three in a row? I don’t think he will. It’ll be more like 75+. Do it.
Adam Reynolds – Projected score: 61
The rookie that everyone is talking about, Reynolds is averaging 75 from his last three starts. Scored 40 on debut against the Roosters in Round 1, but with the Rabbitohs expected to send the Tricolours packing, he is one to seriously consider. The DCE of 2012 – take a chance.
Cameron Smith – Projected score: 68
As mentioned above, when this man was rested, plenty of teams were hurt (especially those that had a Smith/Gallen C/VC combo, not to mention the Storm themselves). But last week’s pain is this week’s gain. He’s rested up and ready to rip into the Cows. Watch as the Storm seamlessly return to their usual structure, and a determined Smith to do everything in his power to see his side to victory, which should in-turn lead to a huge score.
Benji Marshall - Projected score: 48
Has been a bit of a disappointment as of late, but the Panthers Rule comes into play this weekend. For those unaware, that rule dictates that anyone playing the Panthers will score infinitely better than they normally would. This man produced a score of 94 in their Round 7 match. Can he come up with something similar? Absolutely.
Wildcard: Tony Williams – Projected score: 51
While he didn’t come up with the big total we expected against the Eels, I have a good feeling about this one. Has the potential to go nuts, or could come up with another score in the 30′s. That’s why he’s the wildcard. A huge risk, possibly a huge reward.
Señor says… “I’m not giving anything away ahead of my match with TDH, but my captain and VC are mentioned on this page.”
I’ve left some big names out – CP13 and Farah especially. Who are you going with? Am I mad to have left those two or anyone else out? Sound off in the comments below.
