Nathan Buckley previews Round 3 Super Saturday: Dual blockbusters await in Giants v Hawks and Cats v Lions
Commentators and armchair experts have been lining up to question Richmond’s long-term commitment to Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. But in his Super Saturday preview, Nathan Buckley asks where the Tigers would be without them.
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Two possible preliminary final previews headline another bumper Super Saturday.
Nathan Buckley unpacks the big talking points from all four games.
MELBOURNE V GOLD COAST
MCG, 1.20pm
• Groundhog Day has landed at Melbourne already … 56 F50 entries in each of the first two games for only 20 goals in total to show for it. Either the plan, the contest from the forwards, the quality of the entries, or the connection between them is flawed. Maybe it is all of the above. Whatever way you look at it, if they can solve this, the Demons are harder to beat.
• The Suns would have circled this fixture at the MCG the moment the draw came out on November 14 last year. Their record on the road has been a stone in their shoes for the entirety of their short lifespan as a club. A strong performance and four points in their only home-and-away game on this ground this year could well signal the fact that the Suns have finally “grown up” as their coach urged in 2024.
• Max Gawn is the ultimate professional. He has been one of the game’s highest level performers over a long period of time … he sits comfortably as one of the stars of the competition. Accordingly, compartmentalising is an ability he has displayed in spades. I certainly hope his personal and family issues are manageable and resolved promptly. In the meantime, Jarrod Witts is going to have a battle on his hands today.
• Just the four quarters of exposure to Noah Anderson as a skipper so far and he hasn’t put a foot wrong. Optimal performance is your first job as a captain before you worry about influence and leadership. The early signs look good.
ST KILDA V RICHMOND
Marvel Stadium 4.15pm
•The hard nosed and clean Saints were exceptional in the first half last week earning an unassailable lead against the Cats. It was an almost perfect display of football against a respected opponent. They have set a bar now that if they reach consistently will make them hard to beat.
• Speed and run and carry is what every team yearns for from their back half. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jack Sinclair shared 55 touches, seven rebound-50s, five inside-50s and three shots on goal in a dominant display. Afforded the luxury of playing on the front foot, they filled their boots and gave the Saints great attacking drive across four quarters.
• The Tigers only amassed 297 disposals against the Power last week. They only had fewer than 300 on three occasions across the whole of last year. They still managed 50 entries which points positively to their efficiency, despite a heavy loss.
• Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto have been heavily scrutinised high-cost recruits over the past few years. Their high workrate and ball winning has and will be crucial for the Tigers this year. Can you imagine what the midfield would look like without them?
HAWTHORN V GWS
UTAS Stadium, 7.35pm
• Two undefeated teams meet in an early season blockbuster … in Tasmania! For various reasons, personnel and otherwise, neither has displayed their absolute best as yet but what has been evident is a fit, competitive intent from the depth of their teams. A shared willingness to compete and win will no doubt characterise this fixture.
• Mabior Chol is playing career-best football when his team needs it most. With a dearth of key forward targets available, Chol has become the lone tall target in front of the ball for Hawthorn. They don’t go long down the line a lot but his contest and follow up work have been faultless.
• Finn Callaghan has started the year with a bang. A clear BOG in ‘Round Zero’ and another impactful performance topped off with a game-winning touch at the death against the Demons two weeks back. He is a thoroughbred who runs all day, with speed and endurance in perfect balance and class to burn.
• Big watch on how the Hawks’ back six stack up against the Giants’ forward line. Jarman Impey and Karl Amon have provided so much offensive drive but will have their hands full with Brent Daniels and Darcy Jones … all four of them have speed to burn.
BRISBANE LIONS V GEELONG
Gabba, 7:35pm
• One month on and we get the season opener that never was. Two top-tier teams with plenty of youth and room to grow. The Lions have been scratchy, any wonder with the unpredictability in preparation over the past three weeks. This is one game they will look to bounce out of the gates.
• Got to love the brutal honesty from Lachie Neale when he said during the week that he “didn’t turn up in Round 1” in the Lions’ win against Sydney. No wonder he is one of the most consistent and decorated players in the competition. He was back in and under all day, especially in the first 10 minutes when the Lions needed to stem the flow last week.
• In Geelong’s loss last week to the Saints Mitch Knevitt, Connor O’Sullivan and Ted Clohesy showed plenty in their second half surge. The Cats have a happy knack at finding players who come in and fill crucial roles along their journey. Keep an eye out for these three again today.
• You’ve got to love the way each of these coaches go about it. They’re two of the best in the league. Chris Scott is a lateral thinker, pragmatic and gives his players all the room they need to express themselves. Chris Fagan is grounded, consistent and dependable and his players feel valued and appreciated in the environment he has created, which is a solid base to perform from.
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