AHOY there me hearties, it’s that time of the week again and I’m back to run you through the best AFL Fantasy captain options for round 18.

Over the split round, you have the option of selecting your captain from the first five games or waiting for the following weekend for the remaining four games.

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Whichever option you choose, I will cover all the best players for you to assist you in making the correct decision.

Due to the partial lock-out, we have a 'loop-hole' option that can be exploited. This gives you a double chance at picking a great captain but it does come with a degree of risk.

It’s all covered in The Traders' podcast or tune into our live chat starting at 6pm on Thursday night.

Until then, sit back, relax and let’s get cracking as we tackle round 18.

Deja Vu

Before missing last week’s game through suspension, Tom Rockliff [MID, $631,081] had been on fire with scores of 137, 122 and 172.

He is the highest averaging player in 2014 and finds himself back on his home ground next week against the Suns where he has averaged 126 points this season, including three scores over 140 from six games.

Earlier this year, when Rockliff was suspended in round two, he bounced back the following week to score 157  against the Suns.

As luck would have it, fresh off being suspended in round 17, Rockliff once again meets the Suns as he tries to repay Fantasy coaches who held him on their bench last weekend.

Last week, Jack Macrae topped scored for the round against the Suns with an impressive 168 to be one of five Western Bulldogs to crack the magical ton.

Without a Gold Coast tagger in sight and form on his side, Rockliff is a sure thing to score big once again.

Old Friends Battle

In the second half of the split round we see old teammates reunite.

Lance Franklin [FWD, $495,980] scored 106 points against Hawthorn in round eight when he met them for the first time. He has scored over 110 in seven games this year and should be great again at the MCG.

The player I have high expectations for is Josh Kennedy [MID, $574,574] who loves playing against his former team. Since moving on in 2010, Hawthorn are now Kennedy’s favourite team to score Fantasy points against, with scores of 139, 93, 121, 96, 113 and 149 in his last six games against them.

Kennedy is one of the most in form players in the competition over the last three weeks averaging 121.

After bouncing back with 119 last week, Kieren Jack [FWD/MID, $508,818] is another one to watch after he posted 115 against the Hawks earlier this year and has an average of 106 against them in his last three games.

With his price at an all time low, Sam Mitchell [DEF/MID, $443,870] will be one of the most traded-in players this week. However, I wouldn’t be expecting too much from him.

The Swans are his worst team to score Fantasy points against, as he has only managed three 100+ scores against them over 19 games. He did have 103 last week against the Crows and scored 82 and 104 when he met the Swans in 2013.

A good trade, yes. A walk up captain, probably not.

The Giant Slayer

Steve Johnson [MID, $530,754] is a giant slayer. He scored 150 points against GWS in 2012 and was flying when he scored 101 points last year before a head clash slowed him down in the last quarter.

Johnson is coming off scores of 130 and 131 in recent weeks but will likely attract a tag from Jacob Townsend this week.

After averaging 112 over his last three games, Joel Selwood [MID, $496,182] is creeping back into some Fantasy form as well. He scored 121 last week and had 132 against the Giants in 2013.

With Geelong fighting to hold onto a top-four finish, their guns won’t be holding back this week as they chase the four points and a much needed percentage boost.

Just Quickly...

Here are few more of the popular options I have looked at for round 18. If I have missed your favourite, please let me know on Twitter (@CalvinDT).

Nathan Fyfe [MID, $525,649] v St Kilda at Etihad Stadium:  I’m sorry St Kilda fans, but anyone playing the Saints is always on my captaincy radar. Fyfe scored 105 against them last year and has scored 109 and 86 over the last two weeks. Welcome to my top five for the first time this year Nat - don’t let me down.

Dane Swan [MID, $482,940] v Adelaide at the MCG: 57 points last week and an average of 77 in his last three games is not good enough. It’s tough to score from the forward pocket and until Swan starts to get more time in the middle, we have to pass.

Trent Cotchin [MID, $547,686] v West Coast at Patersons Stadium: Cotchin has now delivered five straight 100+ scores in recent weeks to average 116 in his last three games. He carries a highest score of 110 against the Eagles in his last five games against them and only managed 70 points when they met last year.

Dyson Heppell [MID, $525,800] v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium: Heppell has only scored 83 and 74 points in his last two games after receiving some heavy attention. Unfortunately, things won’t change this week for the young star as he’ll have Liam Picken and Mitch Wallis to contend with.

Dayne Beams [MID, $505,280] v Adelaide at the MCG:  Beams has only one triple-figure score in his last five games. Something must be wrong because his scoring has really taken a hit in the last two months.

Michael Barlow [MID, $549,050] v St Kilda at Etihad Stadium:  Barlow only managed 89 points last week and had just 56 and 111 against the Saints last year. He loves playing under the Etihad roof though, and had back to back scores of 134 there this year. North Melbourne managed five 100+ scores against the Saints last week and Barlow will bounce back this Saturday afternoon.

Scott Pendlebury [MID, $555,155] v Adelaide at the MCG:  Pendlebury’s score of 84 points last week was his worst in his last 22 games. Ouch! He scored 101 points against the Crows earlier this year and did post his second-best ever score of 152 against them in 2013. Although he should be in my top five again this round, I’m still hurting after he let me down as my number one pick last week.

Jack Macrae [MID, $513,822] v Essendon at Etihad Stadium:  I always get asked on Twitter, “Why don’t you ever mention Macrae?” Well, here he is. He did have 168 last week - but before we get too excited, he did score 69 and 71 before that. Far too risky to give him captaincy duties.

Brandon Ellis [MID, $538,183] v West Coast at Patersons Stadium: Ellis broke his run of seven straight 100+ scores last week with 94 points. Either way, he still remains one of the best in-form players in the League and will be back in triple figures again when he plays on Friday night next week.

Tom Liberatore [MID, $520,898] v Essendon at Etihad Stadium:  Liberatore has scored 101 and 119 over the last two weeks and has scored 110 and 124 in his last two encounters with the Bombers. If I had a top six, he would have made it.