Nathan Buckley’s round 16 Super Saturday preview

Harley Reid has plenty of strong attributes, but Nathan Buckley tells the West Coast phenom he must work on this one part of his game. See the full Super Saturday preview here.

There’s another three games to enjoy on Super Saturday this weekend where Melbourne, North Melbourne and West Coast will look to upset their more fancied opponents.

Nathan Buckley previews every game here.

Daniel Rioli. Picture: Getty Images

GOLD COAST V MELBOURNE, 1.20PM

People First Stadium

•Both Gold Coast and Melbourne are wrestling with being contenders in 2025. The Suns are building belief and Melbourne has a premiership pedigree. One side is desperate to prove they belong. The other is desperate to remind us they still do. There is more at stake for the Suns right now as they attempt to right the ship and make a run at their first finals berth. Are they ready to step up yet?

•Gold Coast’s run and carry off the back through John Noble and Daniel Rioli was the lynchpin of their transitional play in the early stages of this season. They will be looking to feed this rebound play as much as they can. This will put a premium on the Demons ball use in their front half as errant disposals will be sweated upon and will come back with interest if they don’t get it right.

•Jake Lever has joined Tom McDonald and Harrison Petty as aerially strong intercept defenders that are not necessarily suited to an expansive running offence from the back. Whether this decision to drop Lever is for form or fitness or simply a further sign of change and evolution in the attacking game plan, it’s clear that Melbourne is still looking for a different balance in their team and are committed to finding better in what they do.

•Max Gawn has been the poster boy for young ruckmen for over a decade. Jarrod Witts was one such ruckman back in the day. These two big men have gone head-to-head often in the last 10 years, with Witts developing and improving his craft in that time. This will be a fascinating battle that will influence each team’s respective claims on midfield control. The young brash Suns and the experienced hard nosed Demons . it should be a cracker.

FAST FACTS: Melbourne has won its last six games at People First Stadium, with Gold Coast’s last win at home over the Demons back in round 20, 2013.

Josh Weddle. Picture: Getty Images

HAWTHORN V NORTH MELBOURNE, 4.15PM

UTAS Stadium

•The Hawks’ brains trust will be convinced by now that they are a far better team when Josh Weddle is behind the ball. Despite his quite obvious flexibility and ability to perform in multiple roles, his contest and dash from the back half against all comers brings the best out of his team’s play. I also believe the same of James Sicily … so the headache comes when attempting to manage this. Is the balance right and is there room for both Tom Barrass and Josh Battle if everyone is available. It’s a better problem to have than being shorthanded in defence, but decisions need to be made and time will tell.

•North Melbourne was able to reinforce the improvements in their game against Carlton last week. In a couple of months they were able to turn a five-goal negative differential from stoppages against the Blues in round six into a five-goal positive last week … that’s a significant shift. Their midfield looks deeper, relying less on one player or another, their defence is far more solid and with more consistent pressure on the ball they have a chance to do their jobs well. The bigger tests will come, and the Hawks today will be one of those. They’ll be loving the timing of this particular test and their coach, in particular, would love to see them salute.

•Some questioned the Kangaroos’ strategy of chasing a few veterans towards the end of the career in the off season, but bringing players of great character such as Luke Parker into the fold has been critical to their development. Parker is ranked third at the club in terms of contested possessions and fourth in clearances, a sure sign the 32-year-old is having a positive impact. He has also hit the scoreboard with 10 goals from his 14 games.

•That last kick inside 50m has become the bullet ball that can define a team’s fortunes. Just ask the Blues who have missed with their radar more often than not. For the Hawks, Karl Amon is playing that role almost to perfection. Hawthorn’s forwards have taken a mark from 35.9% of Amon’s kicks into the forward 50m – which is ranked second for the top 75 kicks into that zone.

FAST FACTS: Hawthorn has beaten North Melbourne four of their five games in Tasmania, including a 124-point victory in round 24 last season.

Harley Reid. Picture: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD V WEST COAST, 7.35PM

Marvel Stadium

•Collingwood has put itself into a powerful position to manage the rest of their home and away season to best prepare for September. Decisions to manage players, test different strategies, explore new roles for some while working hard to find better in every element of their game will all be done in a measured conscious manner. And their potential success in three months will depend on getting these calls right more often than not.

•The Eagles are navigating a challenging period, with key leaders like co-captain Oscar Allen sidelined due to injury and vice-captain Jeremy McGovern recently retiring because of concussion issues. This has left a significant leadership gap on and off the field. This simply accelerates the need for the next crop to take ownership and responsibility. There are some stern tests ahead but that’s where growth happens.

•Like most clubs, the Pies have a next-man policy, and this paves the way for defender Charlie Dean to make his return for his first AFL game since the final round last year. Billy Frampton has played an underrated role but his injury provides the perfect opportunity for Dean to try and make his claim on the role.

•Harley Reid is doing a lot right, but there is one thing he needs to work on. He gives away too many free kicks. He has the equal worst differential – minus 16 – of any player in the AFL in terms of free kicks. He has 24 for and 40 against. While some of it has been out of play, there is still some moderation that will evolve as he continues to settle into an AFL career that has plenty of strong attributes already.

FAST FACTS: There have been whispers that Nick Daicos could get a tag from Brady Hough, and with good reason. In his three games against West Coast, Daicos has recorded at least 30 touches in every game and has booted four goals.

Originally published as Nathan Buckley’s round 16 Super Saturday preview