SEN’s Dwayne Russell has named the five teams under the most pressure heading into Round 1.
Russell’s pressure meter ranks teams from 1-6, with number one having the most pressure on them and the most to lose heading into the round.
Check out Russell’s pressure meter below.
1 - Essendon
vs Hawthorn - MCG - Saturday
“I've got Essendon at number one on the pressure meter heading into this weekend's round,” Russell said on SEN Afternoons.
“Essendon finished four wins above Hawthorn last year. If Essendon loses this game that they're expected to win, I think the doubts will all of a sudden creep in.
“I think they'll win the game, they were four wins above Hawthorn last year.
“Hawthorn's injury-depleted, and Essendon has all four pre-season recruits playing - Ben McKay, Todd Goldstein, Xavier Duursma and Jake Gresham.
“Essendon needs a big start.”
2 - Melbourne
vs Western Bulldogs - MCG – Sunday
“At number two, I've got Melbourne.
“They lost last week. They've done a lot of talking this week.
“Kozzie Pickett is back. You can't keep winning inside 50s, losing the game and telling us your forward line is fine.
“So, yes, you have Kozzie back this week, but start 0-2 and the bad summer becomes an official bad start to the season.
“The whole world thinks that playing last week gives Melbourne an advantage over the Dogs. Will it, or won't it?
“If it's going to give Melbourne an advantage over the Dogs, then surely, they win this game.
“But I’m actually tipping the Dogs to win it.”
3 - Collingwood
vs Sydney - MCG – Friday night
“At three is Collingwood.
“They lost last week, there’s some doubts creeping in over their backline, their effort and their motivation.
“Craig McRae looked more frazzled than ever last week. He cooked his players for not doing the little things like manning in the mark, which you do when you're mentally on.
“Collingwood and Craig McRae, they've got nothing wrong for almost two years.
“I've got Collingwood at three on the pressure meter.”
4 - Brisbane
vs Fremantle – Optus Stadium – Sunday evening
“Brisbane's at four for me, they'll be 0-2 with a loss to Fremantle at Optus on Sunday.
“Luke Hodge said that Chris Fagan was outcoached on SEN yesterday in that loss against Carlton.
“They can't afford to lose to Fremantle.”
5 - Carlton
vs Richmond - MCG – Thursday night
“Carlton is at five.
“They need to back it up. Last week was their best win under Michael Voss.
“Lose to Richmond, a team that's hit the iceberg, and all of a sudden, every bit of momentum that Carlton was able to build up with last week, they lose that.
“So, Carlton's at five.”
6 - Geelong
vs St Kilda – GMHBA Stadium – Saturday night
“I wanted to sneak Geelong into the pressure meter this week.
“New grandstand, 40,000 capacity. St Kilda come to town. Are the Cats going to be better this year?
“Last year they dropped from first to 12th, but they had the whole Grand Final hangover as an easy out.
“Has Geelong finally fallen off the cliff? I've got them six on the pressure meter.
“They need to beat the Saints at home with their new grandstand unveiling.”
