Nathan Buckley previews Super Saturday for round 13 on Fox Footy

Port Adelaide has capitulated far too often. Nathan Buckley writes, it’s impacting on team connection in Ken Hinkley’s last season at the helm.

The weekend is here which means another Super Saturday is on the way.

Pressure is on the Swans and Power to perform while the Giants, Cats and Crows are all after wins to consolidate their spots in the top eight.

Nathan Buckley previews all three games here.

RICHMOND V SYDNEY, 1.20PM

MCG

•This fixture wouldn’t have raised many eyebrows at the beginning of the year. The vanquished 2024 grand finalists versus the wooden spooners. Right now, however, there is a morbid fascination as to how the Swans will respond to their poor form and most recent 91-point drubbing at the hands of Adelaide and the Tigers are showing more energy and fight than most expected. Talent won’t matter in this one, it’ll be whoever wants it more.

•The Tigers have fielded some of the least experienced key spines the game has seen. Young key-position players behind and in front of the ball make consistent shape difficult to maintain … but they have fought hard to do so. Last week Tom Lynch and Toby Nankervis returned to bolster these stocks and this game is early enough for Noah Balta to return as well. This can only aid the young Tiger flankers to impact the game.

Sydney have had a horror campaign. Picture: Phil Hillyard

•Dean Cox has shown the full gamut of emotions in his first season as senior coach. He has also been handed what is a star-studded, talented group but it is also emotionally wounded and affected by their last-hurdle failures in recent years. Going back to the well is tough to do once again and I can only imagine the challenge the current Swans group is facing. Somehow, in the next month or so, they need to enjoy their football for nothing other than the contest itself. Take the scoreboard and win/loss out of the equation and enjoy playing and working hard for each other as a team.

•Dion Prestia’s return was exceptional last week and if he can stand up, there is little doubt that the Tigers will be better off. A raft of injuries have held him back in recent years but his natural outnumbering and ball winning through the midfield is a big hurt factor for any opposition side.

The Cats and Suns clash in Geelong. Picture: Getty Images

GEELONG V GOLD COAST, 4.15PM

GMHBA Stadium

•These two teams have played in most of the ‘games of the year’ so what happens when they meet each other? Geelong loves to introduce chaos into the game and the Suns’ transition game has been first class all year, in particular their speed and dash off the half back line. Strap yourselves in, this could prove to be a cracking game…especially now the Suns have begun to become an ‘anyone, anywhere’ team.

•Jack Henry may well be one of Geelong’s most important players. His absolute athleticism not only shuts down direct opponents but also stymies promising opposition attacks. His presence in the back six helps balance it, returning other players to their preferred positions and as such he has become a linchpin that the Cats rely upon to play their best footy.

•Nick Holman is the jack-of-all-trades that every team needs. Intercept defender getting too much ball? Holman is disciplined and able enough to neutralise their influence. Need to ramp up forward pressure? He can and will lay a big tackle when it’s needed most. He is combative, team-oriented and never gives in. Just the way coaches like their players.

•The ‘Dash Brothers’ – Bailey Smith and Max Holmes – will have their work cut out against a half back and midfield group that run in waves to set up their front six. Smith has been in great form, winning the ball at will and taking the most direct route to goal. Holmes has had to exist in Smith’s shadow a little but his impact is no less significant. He is winning a little more of his own ball inside, yet has lost none of his dash in the open field.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY V PORT ADELAIDE, 7.35PM

Manuka Oval

•The Giants won’t win a final unless they attend to the excessive access they allow their opposition to have into their Forward 50. Richmond is ranked last for F50 entries and yet they had 61 against a Giants side who either can’t or won’t defend the ball through the middle of the ground. All the talent in the D50 won’t hold back the tide should they allow it to continue.

Ken Hinkley with his troops. Picture: Getty Images

•Port Adelaide has capitulated too often, impacting on team connection and trust. You simply cannot allow the big swings that Port have: -41 versus Fremantle in the second half, -67 versus Geelong in the second half, -64 v Western Bulldogs in the second half. All of these have been in the last month. It speaks to a loss of workrate and a loss of care for each other’s role in the team. Ken Hinkley will be expecting a four-quarter effort.

•Jesse Hogan’s two-year goal-streak ended last weekend and that might prove to be bad news for the Power defenders today. The Tigers last week kept him without a goal for the first time since round 16, 2023 – and without an inside 50 mark for the first time this season – so you can imagine how fired up to make amends.

•Credit to Mitch Georgiades, who copped some criticism when he went goalless in a poor day for the Power against Collingwood in round 1. He has kicked multiple goals in eight of his next 10 games since and is averaging an equal career-best 2.2 goals per game.

Originally published as Nathan Buckley previews Super Saturday for round 13 on Fox Footy