AFL Fantasy - Best Captain Candidates for Round 1 - Captain Loophole Explained

Captain Candidates Round 1

OK, so we start the year with a rolling lockout so this means we all get to have a double chance at getting our Captain choice right.

For those not familiar with the Rolling Lockout Captain Trick, I will firstly try to explain this as best I can and then I will look at some other good Captain options for the rest of the weekend, in case your Thursday Captain choice fails to impress.

Captain Loophole for Round 1:

So this week we have Richmond v Carlton on the Thursday Night.
It is a rolling lockout so after the Thursday night game, the lockout will temporarily lift and you will be able to edit your side again (for all players except Richmond or Carlton players).

First step is to check if you have a Richmond or a Carlton Player.
If yes, go ahead and place the V (vice captain) on him.

Next, get one of your inactive players that is not from Richmond or Carlton and place him on the field in place of an active player. Put the C (captain) on this inactive player and make the active player you have just removed your Emergency.

Now if your Richmond or Carlton player with the V (vice captain) goes well, then simply do nothing.
As the C has been left on an inactive player, your Vice Captains points will count double at the end of the round.
The inactive players has ofcourse got emergency cover from the bench so all is well.

If however your Vice Captain under performs then re select a new captain on Friday when the rolling lockout lifts.
At this point you just swap your inactive player back around for the active player again.

Example:

This week I will put the V (vice captain) on Dustin Martin.
I have M Flynn of GWS on my bench who is highly unlikely to be named.
I will move Flynn onto the field and Max Gawn to my bench. I put the C (captain) on Flynn and E (emergency) on Gawn.

After the game finishes, I will be hoping for a score of at least 120 from Dusty to justify keeping him as my Captain.
If Dusty gets a score I like, I will ensure the C (captain) remains on the inactive Flynn all weekend so Dusty's score doubles for me at the end of the Round.

If Dusty doesn't go very well, then on Friday I will swap Flynn and Gawn back around.
I will then place the C on one of my other premium Midfielders.

My Top Captain Choices for Round 1:

Thursday Game:

1: Dustin Martin (Richmond) - AFL Fantasy Average 113

The reigning Brownlow medalist, Norm Smith medalist and Premiership medalist starts the year as the number 1 player in the game.
Dusty is the obvious candidate to use the Captain Loophole on but it is worth noting that against the Blues in round 14 last year, Dusty only got a 96.

2: Patrick Cripps (Carlton) - AFL Fantasy Average 98

Expect that average of Cripps to be in triple figures by the end of the 2018 season.
Huge expectations on Cripps this year and a smokey for the Brownlow.
The midfield bull is back to full fitness now and scored a 109 against the Tigers in Round 14 last year.

3: Marc Murphy (Carlton) - AFL Fantasy Average 111

What a huge Fantasy season by Murphy last year and given he is still in his prime, there is no reason he can't replicate that again this year. Was a little quiet in the JLT series but I wouldn't worry too much about that.
Did only score a 90 against the Tigers in Round 14 last year.

If the above options don't work out, here are my Top 3 Captain picks for the rest of Round 1.
Please note I am leaving Danger out even though he is listed as a fitness test.
I don't believe the Cats will risk that hamstring of his less than 2 weeks after he strained it.

1: Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn) - AFL Fantasy Average 127

What a Fantasy Beast Mitchell has evolved into.
No one gets more possessions than him and he will be the 1st player picked in 90% of Fantasy Drafts this year.
He is such a safe bet for Captain most weeks this year that you almost don't need to bother playing the Captain Loophole game.
Last time against the Pies he had 35 possessions and a Fantasy score of 135.

2: D Zorko (Brisbane) - AFL Fantasy Average 114

The little magician has became Fantasy Elite and will relish playing under the roof of Etihad.
Zorko picked up where he left off and looked a class above everyone else in horrendous conditions against Gold Coast in that last JLT game. Zorko had 33 disposals and 123 Fantasy points.
Against the Saints in Round 3 last year at the same venue he scored a 117.

3: N Fyfe (Fremantle) - AFL Fantasy Average 97

Don't let his average fool you, Fyfe will be a purple monster for Freo this year, now that he is fully fit and coming off a disappointing season for the club.
He has already shown signs of whats to come in the pre season and he will be eager to make a statement in Round 1.
He likes playing Port to, last year in a team well beaten he had 30 possessions and 116 Fantasy points.

I hope these tips help get your Fantasy season off to a flyer and get you that all important W in your league match.

Remember, there are still some last minute spots in our AFL Fantasy leagues for both Classic format and Draft Format.
Not too late to jump in one of those comps, just click on the link below for more information.
https://steemit.com/afl/@aflfantasy/we-still-have-9-spots-left-in-our-afl-fantasy-competitions

Also, make sure you remember to get your tips in on the AFL Tipping page -
https://steemit.com/teamaustralia/@footytips/get-your-tips-in-afl-round-1-starts-now

Good luck this season and thanks for reading.

• Dahmsy79