Nathan Buckley previews Round 2 Super Saturday of season 2025 AFL

Essendon hung around against a hot Hawthorn side, but one key deficiency in their game must be rectified if they want to win this week. Read Nathan Buckley’s Super Saturday preview here.

The second Super Saturday of the year is here, and there are some enthralling contests up for grabs.

Will the Crows continue their hot start to the season? Can the Tigers maintain the rage? How will St Kilda bounce back?

ESSENDON V ADELAIDE

MCG, 1.20pm

• The Crows were slick and clean in their dismantling of St Kilda last Sunday. They scored 6.1 from deep in their defence and continually found gaps in Ross Lyon’s team defence. They linked up as well as we have seen previously and with a healthy, fit list, they have a chance to show their best on the wide expanses of the MCG.

• Essendon gave up 5.1 to Hawthorn from defensive 50 launches so when you consider where the Crows were strong, you get the sense that the Bombers sit the team defence test again this week. On top of that, can they make more of the 58 forward 50 entries they conjured against the Hawks versus this opponent? They hung around last week but will need to be more efficient to get the four points.

Sid Draper stunned after coming on as the sub. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

• Riley Thilthorpe looked imposing in round 1 off the back of a strong finish to 2024. Along with Darcy Fogarty and “Tex” Walker, the “Triple Threat Talls” will pose a challenge for any defence. After being forced to “play small” against Hawthorn’s front six, Ben McKay and Zach Reid will find better fits for their size and shape, but the contests still need to be won.

FAST FACT: Adelaide has lost its past 10 matches at the MCG. The Crows’ last win at the home of football was by 12 points against Carlton in round 15, 2017.

PORT ADELAIDE V RICHMOND

Adelaide Oval, 4.15pm

• The Power couldn’t have brought Ken Hinkley’s tenure into a harsher glare than they did with a listless performance against the Magpies. The relationship between coach and player at Port has always been strong and the buy-in has rarely been in question. Look for a swift response.

• How good were the Tigers last week! Any neutral supporter would have had a hard time wiping the smiles off their faces as they dug deep to find a way to win a game that no one gave them a chance in … and even more so at 41 points down. They aren’t judging wins and losses but rather attitude and effort … on all counts they were huge.

Can Sam Lalor and the Tigers maintain the rage? Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

• Sam Lalor arrived with skill and poise as expected. He moves like he is 178cm but stands almost 190cm … a compelling mix of ground level smarts and size. He did some really nice things throughout the game to indicate he not only has the talent but the temperament to handle the No. 1 draft pick tag and find his way through the early stages of his AFL career.

FAST FACT: Port Adelaide has won its past four matches against Richmond by an average margin of 28 points per game.

ST KILDA V GEELONG

Marvel Stadium, 7.35pm

• Geelong started the year with a bang, imposing its game style on the Dockers and frankly making them look second-rate. The Cats love chaos and when you can choose how the game is played, it feeds into your strengths and is a powerful starting point. Bailey Smith fits into this high-intensity, up-and-back transition game like a glove and will continue to blossom.

• It doesn’t matter what guernsey he wears, Jack Macrae will find the footy. He will bring clearance and an outnumber at most contests. The Saints need to put dash and legs around his ball winning to maximise his impact. Like a pivot player, Macrae can give the Saints’ runners greater access to the ball … getting it 30 times a game will do that!

Jack Macrae was one of the Saints’ best on the weekend. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

• Sam De Koning’s game in the ruck was the sleeper performance last week for the Cats. His 25 touches and a great first half gave the Cats the chance to level clearance early and finish better from that source. He isn’t being asked to play the combative stoppage ruckman role, opting not to use a shin guard, but the Cats have always redefined traditional football roles. His follow up at ground level … and capacity to cover the ground will be on display again.

FAST FACT: St Kilda has only won four of its past 18 games against Geelong dating back to round 1, 2011 But all four victories have been at Docklands including the past three times the two clubs have met there.

Originally published as Nathan Buckley previews Round 2 Super Saturday of season 2025 AFL