SuperCoach Captains Guide — Round 4 2026
Captain Butters or Bont this week? Xerri's out, Daicos is a test, the competition is wide open. Full rankings, VC strategy and the loophole setup for Round 4.
The captain pool just got narrower. Xerri's out for three weeks. Daicos is a test. The competition is scrambling for a C pick while Bont and Butters quietly position themselves as the obvious answer.
Here's the full picture for Round 4.
Do Not Captain
Tristan Xerri (NMK) — suspended. Does not play. Captaining him gives you zero points doubled.
Nick Daicos (COLL) — fitness test. Was a late out in Round 3 with a calf complaint. If he's named by Thursday, he's a valid option. If there's any doubt in the team sheet, don't risk the C on him.
Tier 1 — Captain These
Marcus Bontempelli (WBD, MID) — The Pick
Bont against Essendon.
The community has been saying it all week and they're right. He goes at Essendon. They don't tag him effectively. His ceiling in this matchup is 150+, and his floor is still 100.
The counter-argument is the Windhager tagging game last year that held him to the mid-60s. That was one game. He followed it up with 140 the next week. His career average against Essendon is elite — don't let one data point anchor you into avoiding the best midfield captain in the competition.
"Bont against Essendon everyday of the week."
That community comment got 16 upvotes for a reason. It's just correct.
Set the C on Bont.
Patrick Butters (GCS, MID) — If You Don't Own Bont
Butters has been one of the most consistent captain scores this season. Gold Coast are in a decent matchup and he's been hitting 110-130 consistently.
If you don't own Bont and were going to VC Daicos before his calf test changed the calculus, Butters is your answer. He won't give you 150, but he won't embarrass you with a 70 either.
Tier 2 — Consider These
Brodie Grundy (SYD, RUC) — back from bye. If you're loopholing and Grundy plays Friday, he's a decent VC target. His role in Sydney's midfield generates consistent points.
Lachie Neale (BRL, MID) — reliable consistent scorer, useful for coaches without Bont who need a safe pick. Ceiling is slightly lower than the tier 1 options.
Jeremy McGovern or similar reliable DEF — only if you're covering a specific best-18 scenario or loopholing from an early game.
VC Loophole Setup
If there's an early game Thursday or Friday with a premium you trust, put your VC there before Thursday's game.
The logic: if they score 130+, you loop the score before Saturday lockout — meaning you capture a big game without the risk of your main captain underperforming.
Threshold to loop: 130+. Under 130, let the C ride on Bont.
Full loophole framework at VC Loophole Explained.
The Short Version
Check Daicos's fitness Thursday. If he's in, he's viable. If there's any doubt, he's not a captain.
Bont vs Essendon is the pick. Set it and leave it.
Don't captain Xerri.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I captain Butters or Bont in Round 4 SuperCoach?+
Bont. Essendon is the matchup you want for Bont — he goes at them hard historically and has no reason to be tagged this week. Butters is a live option if you don't own Bont, but Bont against Essendon is the pick when you have the choice.
Can I captain Tristan Xerri in Round 4 SuperCoach 2026?+
No. Xerri is serving the first week of his 3-week suspension. He does not play. Do not captain him.
Is Nick Daicos a valid captain option in Round 4?+
Uncertain. He was a late out in Round 3 with a calf complaint. Wait for the Thursday team sheet before making any captain decision involving Daicos. If he's named, he's a valid option — but don't set and forget before his fitness is confirmed.
How does the VC loophole work in Round 4?+
Put your VC on a premium who plays in an early game (Thursday or Friday). If they score 130+, you loop the score before Saturday/Sunday games lock. Full explainer at /posts/vc-loophole-explained-supercoach-2026.
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