AFL round 6: Nathan Buckley previews Super Saturday on Fox Footy

Christian Petracca continues to be a massive talking point as the Demons slump to 0-5. In this Super Saturday preview, Nathan Buckley tells the Melbourne star what he needs to change.

Another Super Saturday is upon us!

Can Melbourne claim their first win? Can the Giants and Suns consolidate their places in the top four?

Nathan Buckley previews all three games.

Melbourne are still hunting their first win. Picture: Getty Images

MELBOURNE V FREMANTLE

1.20pm, MCG

# The Dockers have had the wood on the Demons in recent years, dominating them in the transition game. Last year, a 96-point win in Alice Springs was followed by a 50-point win in the return match seven weeks later in Perth. In those games Fremantle was able to open up Melbourne through the midfield and move the ball at will. That type of shared experience does carry into the following encounters and the Dockers will be keen to jump into this game with the same proactive intent with their offence.

# The Demons meet this challenge in a different space at 0-5 and, for mine, need to put their offensive ambitions on hold for a week or two and make this game a contest in every way they can. While the narrative has been about changing the way they play, at their best they are an elite ball-winning team and getting the game into contest as much as possible provides them with the best chance of playing winning football. Viney, Oliver, Gawn, Petracca, May, Sparrow, Rivers, Melksham, Chandler, to name a few, are strong bodies who prefer contest over transition. This is their competitive advantage.

# Christian Petracca’s relationship with his footy club has been a source of fascination for a while now. We have seen him wearing his heart on his sleeve in recent weeks, which to me only emphasises the frustration and desperation that the Demons players are carrying at the moment.

Christian Petracca walks from the field

To see that emotion shows that it matters to them and when that energy is channelled into the right actions and behaviours consistently, their form will turn. Petracca himself has had some exceptional bursts of football this year, but like his teammates needs to find consistency across four quarters to get the results they yearn for.

# Michael Frederick is a freakishly talented player who is starting to put it all together. With a speed and endurance mix few can boast, he can hurt you in the air and on the ground and has elite finishing skills. Quite often in a high and wide forward role and with great discipline and diligence, Frederick relies on the Dockers’ back half to move the ball off the line to bring his talents into the game. Look out if they do!

The Giants will visit Adelaide Oval to take on the Crows. Picture: Getty Images

ADELAIDE V GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

4.15pm, Adelaide Oval

# The most potent offence this season faces the stingiest defence in this heavyweight contest at Adelaide Oval. The Crows have averaged 120 points a game already this year and even in their recent losses have hit the scoreboard consistently. The ‘Triple Tall’ set-up has proven difficult to quell and they are putting together a squad of small forwards to mop up anything on the ground.

# The Giants have allowed their opposition almost 58 inside 50s a game, the fourth most this season and yet have clearly been the best at defending those entries. They are ranked No. 1 for both Scores and Goals Against from those entries. Adam Kingsley would be rapt with the second part of that equation but playing off your back foot is not a sustainable model. They’ll be keen to restrict the Crows’ supply to a potent forward mix.

Jordan Dawson is a terrific leader. Picture: Getty Images

# Jordan Dawson has continued his exceptional form since arriving from Sydney, immediately assuming a leadership role in Adelaide. He is an unflappable character with a massive workrate, exceptional game awareness and brilliant skills. That combination has him hurting the opposition in many ways in many roles. One of his greatest strengths is his sneaky strong aerial game. Like a Patrick Cripps or a Nat Fyfe, Dawson is the type of player his teammates will kick to because they know it just gets the job done.

# Toby Greene continues to impose his aggressive combative football on the opposition. He has clearly had a strong pre-season and when he heads into a midfield role at times is displaying the workrate that has underpinned his profound influence for over a decade. His teammates lift when he does his thing and he senses the big moments to make the plays that need to be made.

Damien Hardwick faces his old side on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

RICHMOND V GOLD COAST

7.35pm, Marvel Stadium

# Damien Hardwick returns to his ‘favourite’ venue to take on his old club. Perspective is everything though and while Marvel Stadium might not have been enjoyable (or relevant) for a team used to winning finals in front of a packed MCG, it provides another opportunity for the Suns to reinforce their away record with a solid four quarter imposition of their game style. These Suns and their coach will be enjoying their work and will relish the fast track on which to ply their trade.

# Joel Jeffrey is an underrated gun of the competition. His balance of offence and defence is brilliant and he has added a desperation to his game witnessed in the game-saving smother at the death against the Crows a fortnight ago. He is an elite decision maker and user and in the mould of Darryl White impacts the game aerially as well. He has found his niche in defensive roles between the keys and the high runners John Noble and Daniel Rioli at the moment but his scope is endless.

# Richmond’s fight this year has been really impressive. They have committed to play the game the right way no matter the opposition they face. They bring energy and effort into all phases of the game and have not bought into the defeatist narrative of the football world. Their percentage of 80 on the ladder shows that they have been more competitive than most anticipated, backing up their surprise Round 1 win with some impressive football.

# Toby Nankervis has provided great leadership through this transition phase for the Tigers. He plays in the most combative position in the game and never fails to put his body on the line for his team. A skilled ruckman, he uses his craft to take away the weapons of his sometimes more athletic, direct opposition and follows up at ground level better than most. I love his aerial impact around the ground, both in front of and behind the ball. I imagine his teammates love and respect him for what he brings to the table. What a great skipper for all of his players, young and old.

Originally published as AFL round 6: Nathan Buckley previews Super Saturday on Fox Footy