2026 AFL · Grand Final

Grand Final Captain Picks: the top 10

How did we go?

1 of 1 games played. 10 of our picks have played, averaging 97.1, and 5 beat their projection. Our No. 1, Luke Jackson, scored 110 (beat the 99 we projected).

Best captain of the round so far: Dayne Zorko with 134 (No. 6 on our list yes).

1 game this round. Here are the ten best captain options on the numbers: recent form, season average, record against this week's opponent, and how many points that opponent gives up. Luke Jackson heads the list against Brisbane Lions.

The loophole play

Vice-captain Luke Jackson in the first game (v Brisbane Lions, ). If he goes big, keep it; if not, captain Will Ashcroft in the last game (v Fremantle, ).

  1. 1
    LJ
    Luke Jackson
    FRE v BRL ·
    110scored · proj 99
    Steady Avg 103.8 Last 3: 105 · 124 · 105 120+ in 31% v BRL: 79.7 (10)

    Hot right now: 105, 124, 105 in the last three, up on a season average of 103.8. Has gone 120+ in 8 of 26 games this season (high of 166). Struggles against Brisbane Lions: averages 79.7 against them over 10 games. Tough matchup: Brisbane Lions are among the stingiest sides in the league. Solid, if not spectacular, every week.

  2. 2
    WA
    Will Ashcroft
    BRL @ FRE ·
    92scored · proj 96
    Steady Avg 106.1 Last 3: 86 · 111 · 98 120+ in 38% v FRE: 97.3 (3)

    Season average 106.1, with 86, 111, 98 in the last three. Has gone 120+ in 10 of 26 games this season (high of 152). Struggles against Fremantle: averages 97.3 against them over 3 games. Tough matchup: Fremantle are among the stingiest sides in the league. Solid, if not spectacular, every week.

  3. 3
    JD
    Josh Dunkley
    BRL @ FRE ·
    95scored · proj 93
    Steady Avg 93.8 Last 3: 117 · 88 · 87 120+ in 8% v FRE: 102.6 (7)

    Season average 93.8, with 117, 88, 87 in the last three. Has gone 120+ in 2 of 26 games this season (high of 130). Loves Fremantle: averages 102.6 against them over 7 games. Tough matchup: Fremantle are among the stingiest sides in the league. Solid, if not spectacular, every week.

  4. 4
    AB
    Andrew Brayshaw
    FRE v BRL ·
    80scored · proj 93
    Steady Avg 94.7 Last 3: 114 · 79 · 104 120+ in 12% v BRL: 98.9 (8)

    Season average 94.7, with 114, 79, 104 in the last three. Has gone 120+ in 3 of 26 games this season (high of 132). Averages 98.9 against Brisbane Lions (8 games). Tough matchup: Brisbane Lions are among the stingiest sides in the league. Solid, if not spectacular, every week.

  5. 5
    ZB
    Zac Bailey
    BRL @ FRE ·
    82scored · proj 91
    Steady Avg 92.6 Last 3: 83 · 111 · 96 120+ in 8% v FRE: 92.4 (8)

    Season average 92.6, with 83, 111, 96 in the last three. Has gone 120+ in 2 of 25 games this season (high of 133). Averages 92.4 against Fremantle (8 games). Tough matchup: Fremantle are among the stingiest sides in the league. Solid, if not spectacular, every week.

  6. 6
    DZ
    Dayne Zorko
    BRL @ FRE ·
    134scored · proj 89
    Steady Avg 96.1 Last 3: 90 · 113 · 69 120+ in 25% v FRE: 101.3 (7)

    Season average 96.1, with 90, 113, 69 in the last three. Has gone 120+ in 4 of 16 games this season (high of 142). Averages 101.3 against Fremantle (7 games). Tough matchup: Fremantle are among the stingiest sides in the league. Solid, if not spectacular, every week.

  7. 7
    LN
    Lachie Neale
    BRL @ FRE ·
    74scored · proj 84
    Steady Avg 99.9 Last 3: 69 · 75 · 102 120+ in 19% v FRE: 98.5 (4)

    A quieter few weeks (69, 75, 102), but the season average of 99.9 says a big one is due. Has gone 120+ in 5 of 26 games this season (high of 159). Averages 98.5 against Fremantle (4 games). Tough matchup: Fremantle are among the stingiest sides in the league. Solid, if not spectacular, every week.

  8. 8
    HY
    Hayden Young
    FRE v BRL ·
    120scored · proj 84
    Steady Avg 76.3 Last 3: 66 · 96 · 117 120+ in 0% v BRL: 102.8 (5)

    Hot right now: 66, 96, 117 in the last three, up on a season average of 76.3. Loves Brisbane Lions: averages 102.8 against them over 5 games. Tough matchup: Brisbane Lions are among the stingiest sides in the league. Solid, if not spectacular, every week.

  9. 9
    CS
    Caleb Serong
    FRE v BRL ·
    70scored · proj 84
    Steady Avg 91 Last 3: 62 · 87 · 90 120+ in 9% v BRL: 108.6 (7)

    A quieter few weeks (62, 87, 90), but the season average of 91 says a big one is due. Has gone 120+ in 2 of 23 games this season (high of 124). Loves Brisbane Lions: averages 108.6 against them over 7 games. Tough matchup: Brisbane Lions are among the stingiest sides in the league. Solid, if not spectacular, every week.

  10. 10
    SB
    Shai Bolton
    FRE v BRL ·
    114scored · proj 84
    Steady Avg 84 Last 3: 62 · 120 · 106 120+ in 8% v BRL: 68.7 (7)

    Hot right now: 62, 120, 106 in the last three, up on a season average of 84. Has gone 120+ in 2 of 25 games this season (high of 138). Struggles against Brisbane Lions: averages 68.7 against them over 7 games. Tough matchup: Brisbane Lions are among the stingiest sides in the league. Solid, if not spectacular, every week.

How it works: we blend each player's last 3 games, last 5, season average and record against this week's opponent, then adjust for how many points that opponent gives up. Teams aren't named yet, so it uses each club's most recent side. For fun, not betting.