Dwayne Russell's pressure meter heading into Round 0, 2026

SEN’s Dwayne Russell has named the five teams under the most pressure heading into Opening Round.

Russell’s pressure meter ranks teams from 1-5, 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 – St Kilda
vs Collingwood – MCG – Sunday

“I've got St Kilda at one heading into this weekend of footy,” Russell told SEN's Dwayne's World.

“Big game coming up for the Saints on Sunday.

“They've done the recruiting, they've done the spruiking, now it's time to deliver against an under-strengthened Magpies in front of the biggest St Kilda home crowd that they've ever had.”

2 - Sydney
vs Carlton - SCG – Thursday

“I've actually got Sydney at number two.

“They failed last year under Dean Cox, they had injuries and it was a first year learning curve for Dean.

“He is going to be better with a year under his belt. Second year, and they've got the big name recruit they were after, their big forward gun Charlie Curnow.

“They've gone and got Charlie, they've got Errol Gulden fit, and Errol Gulden could be the number one midfielder in the comp by the end of this year.

“They've got Tom Papley in the team, fit. So, I've got Sydney at two.”

3 – Gold Coast
vs Geelong - People First Stadium – Friday 

“I've got the Suns at three.

“Their pre-season form gave the indication that they might have got a bit ahead of themselves, the Suns, and believed their own hype over summer.

“So much so, that Damien Hardwick got the whip out a week ago, and gave them a going over after their loss to the Saints, even though it was just a practice game.

“Some are picking the Suns to win the Grand Final, and they do have the list to do it. Home game against the Cats, I've got the Suns at three to start impressively this year.”

4 - Hawthorn
vs GWS – ENGIE Stadium – Saturday 

“I've got Hawthorn at four.

“They've got an under-strengthened Giants, ripe for the picking on Saturday.

"The Giants don't have Sam Taylor, Finn Callaghan, Josh Kelly, Tom Green, Brent Daniels, Toby Bedford, Aaron Cadman and Leek Aleer. They are all out!

"Hawthorn has to be in the pressure meter. There is pressure on Hawthorn to get this job done.”

5 – Western Bulldogs
vs Brisbane - The Gabba – Saturday

“I've got the Bulldogs at 5.

“I don't expect them to beat the Lions, but this is an early test that will tell us if the Dogs will be a big riser this year.

"Ninth last year - that was a failure. Much higher expectation this year.”