AFL round 10: Nathan Buckley’s Super Saturday Fox Footy preview

The Magpies have returned to premiership contention after missing finals in 2024 — and Nathan Buckley can pinpoint one big reason why.

Another Super Saturday is upon us and there are some intriguing contests set to unfold.

Can the South Australian sides cause upsets? Will Fremantle respond? Can Essendon prove they are finals contenders?

Nathan Buckley unpacks all the matches here.

COLLINGWOOD v ADELAIDE

MCG, 1.20pm

•These teams have played absolutely cracking games in recent times with the last four meetings being one-kick games. In all, the standard of football has been elite, top-four level separated only by a few key contests (and the odd umpiring decision). They have both started the year in fine form and will be ready to be tested on Saturday afternoon.

•The Pies’ game is in rare shape as they continue to bring new blood into the team in the right doses. Dan Houston has been steady, reliable and selfless in the way he has fit into his new team and Harry Perryman, who initially started as a mid, has been recast into a more familiar defensive role, and has shone.

The last few matches between Collingwood and Adelaide have been brilliant. Picture: Michael Klein

•The Crows have ‘Triple Threat Talls’ in front of the ball and have created another threesome behind the ball who are sharing the load. Mitch Hinge, Max Michalanney and Wayne Milera are jack-of-all-trade defenders who can play tall and small, defend when required and share the responsibilities for attacking rebound.

•Jamie Elliott is the gift that keeps giving for the Pies. He has always been a rounded front half player – if he doesn’t get you in the air, it’ll be on the ground. If it’s not with a high work rate, it’s with smarts and guile. If he’s not hitting the scoreboard, he is chasing and tackling to create opportunities for others. What has often gone unnoticed is his selflessness and his ability to communicate and lead the front six. He is 200 games in and still getting better.

PORT ADELAIDE v GEELONG

Adelaide Oval, 4.15pm

•Port surged late to fall just short in the Showdown last week. But when they decide to go all out attack, there are not many sides in the competition that can handle them. Their A grade players are up and about and they are now spread evenly across the field, in my view adding to their influence and impact on games.

•Geelong has a few home-away-from-homes and the Adelaide Oval is one of them. They have won six of their last seven at a ground that has dimensions not dissimilar to GMHBA Stadium. They have averaged well over 100 points across those games so expect them to hit the scoreboard hard.

•Miles Bergman has relished his shift into midfield roles in recent weeks. So much so that last week he had career-high contested possessions (13), clearances (six) and tackles (eight). His work off the half back flank was based on excellent aerial skills and great decision making. These attributes can transfer into a midfield role, so keep an eye on whether he continues to stake a claim for midfield minutes.

•Ollie Dempsey has challenged opposition plans ahead of his time. A wingman who gets all the way to the goal square he presents a scoring threat that few teams possess. Lightly-framed, he knows how and when to use his body and last week the Giants used Harry Himmelberg as a direct match up to try and quell him but he still had 19 and kicked two goals.

GWS GIANTS v FREMANTLE

Sydney Showground, 4.15pm

•The Giants’ win last week was exceptional for many reasons. The return of the tsunami was encouraging and nine back-half goals was a return to their rebounding best throughout the game. The first quarter is their prototype though. Win clearance and field position, allow only 10 inside 50s against, and take the load off their brilliant defence.

•The Dockers dominated the inside 50 differential in their loss to Collingwood last week. Sixty two forward entries for 12 goals is a poor return and allowing 15 goals from 34 entries at the other end was catastrophic. They would have gone to work at both ends and would need to flip the script to challenge the Giants on their home track.

Tom Green celebrates a goal. Picture: Getty Images

•Tom Green was at his ball-winning best last week. He is one of the cleanest ball handlers and knows exactly how to position his body to win the ball. Increasingly, he has worked on his ability to cover the ground and get to more contests in transition play which makes him even more damaging year on year. It doesn’t really matter if you run with him because contested ball is his stock in trade.

•Jordan Clark is a Docker who has been consistently good this year. He has been hard to beat in every back half contest and provides bursts of dash and run that are difficult to defend. He has clearly put the work in during the preseason and is reaping the benefits in the early stages of the year.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v ESSENDON

Marvel Stadium, 7.35pm

•The Bombers have been criticised for not defending well enough for quite a few years now, so their improvements in the last six weeks need acknowledging. Only Collingwood has allowed fewer points to their opposition in the last six weeks. In the same time, they have allowed the least points from stoppage and are the second stingiest after turnover. They face the heaviest scorers from the same time period in the Bulldogs, so all that will be tested on Saturday night.

•Luke Beveridge’s rebuild of his team has been exceptional. Old players recast in new roles, new players introduced to add important traits to allow the team to play consistent and solid football greater than the sum of its parts. Arguably they now have the deepest midfield in the competition and that stands them in good stead against all comers.

Luke Beveridge is coaching superbly. Picture: Michael Klein

•Nic Martin is the ‘Ace’ up Brad Scott’s sleeve every week. Zach Merrett receives the majority of midfield run with focus which leaves Martin patrolling between the arcs with a little more time and space. One thing in his favour is how many different roles he can and does play. Prolific rebound defender, hard running mid and goal scoring forward … he can do it all.

•Ed Richards has everything you want in a player. Tough, rock hard fit, clean, skilful and prepared to work as hard back to support his defence as he is to get forward. The left foot finds him an extra step of space more often than not and his ability to take yards directly to goal rips holes in team defences. If Sam Durham goes to Bont, expect Jye Caldwell to be assigned to Richards to quell him in some shape or form.

Originally published as AFL round 10: Nathan Buckley’s Super Saturday Fox Footy preview