Nathan Buckley says Jordan De Goey can be a finals wildcard

Herald Sun

a day ago

Super Saturday has a title fight to round out the slate of footy, but there's plenty of intriguing games to sink your teeth into.
Fox Footy expert Nathan Buckley dives into each of the biggest talking points in Saturday's games. MELBOURNE V WEST COAST, 1.20PM
Marvel Stadium
# It's always interesting to see how a team responds from the result the week before and Melbourne is on watch, despite facing a team they should easily account for. The Giants showed on Thursday night that a half-time spray may only be a short-term fix. The Demons' capitulation in the last quarter overshadowed what had been a strong performance in the first three quarters against St Kilda. Can't do anything about what has been, still plenty to achieve in the last month so it's time to get to work again.
# West Coast just hasn't been able to win enough ball through the midfield this year which has made life difficult for either end of the ground. Their contested ball numbers have been poor, winning this stat only once this year and averaging 18 less against their opposition every week. If you can't win it, you can keep it, so that is the first box that needs to be ticked against the Dees to see the rest of their game have a chance at blossoming.
# Kysaiah Pickett's form this year has been exceptional. His best football has been on display in his team's wins which highlights the impact he has. It also shows the improvement that is still there to be gained as when he drops off, so do the Dees. Those sort of comparisons make him a prime candidate for attention from the opposition and he should expect it in some shape or form.
# Tim Kelly's performance in the Derby was encouraging last week. He was back hunting the football through the midfield and his workrate to get to the contest was much improved. When moving well he swoops on loose ball contests with grace and poise. It was good to see some of this back in his game and the Eagles would love for that to be on show again today.
FAST FACT: Melbourne has lost seven of its past eight games. But the Demons have won five of their past six clashes with West Coast. GOLD COAST V RICHMOND, 4.10PM
People's First Stadium
# The Suns have shown their absolute best and their low water mark in the last three weeks against very good opposition. This week they meet their coach's old club in a match-up they will be expected to dominate. The Suns' connection inside F50 was lethal against the Lions last week and with multiple threats in the front half, they were able to hit the scoreboard consistently across the game kicking five goals in each quarter on the way to a comprehensive win.
# Richmond's list build has allowed their young and talented future to be supported by the hardened experienced past and present. In almost every line there is an experienced leader who has accepted the task at hand and is leading with effort and energy. This is a feather in the cap, not just to those players but also to the coach who has been able to harness these attributes and reframe their challenge to get consistent investment from his charges.
# Matt Rowell has won 15-plus clearances three times so far in his 103 games. To put that into context, the only other player to have done that three times is Brett Ratten.
FAST FACT: Richmond upset Gold Coast by 11 points at Marvel Stadium in round 6. Tigers Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper shared 62 disposals between in the match. SYDNEY V ESSENDON, 4:10PM
SCG
# Sydney's momentum was evident leading into half-time of their game last week. They were on song and on the charge until the Giants' third quarter onslaught put an abrupt end to it. With close to a full bill of health now, it has come too little too late for the Swans in 2025 but they still have the ability to shape the Top 8 between now and season's end. Back on their home deck and against a vulnerable opponent is a chance to impose their best football and take some satisfaction out of the tail end of the season.
# Essendon will field a 14th debutant this week in a sure sign of how undermanned the Bombers are right now. It won't be easy against the Swans, but they need to look at little wins as a focus going forward, including winning quarters. The Bombers have won only three quarters since round 16, which is the fewest in the competition in that time.
# Sydney took only three marks inside 50 last round – its equal-fewest on record. Will Hayward took all three marks – booting three goals. He'll miss this week, so the Swans will need more players to step up and give the ball distributors not only a target to kick to, but a target who can take a grab.
FAST FACT: Essendon has lost its past eight games by an average margin of 44 points per match. The Bombers have not kicked more than 11 goals in any of those clashes. COLLINGWOOD V BRISBANE, 7.35PM
MCG
# Two of the modern heavyweight teams meet in a marquee fixture that will have a profound influence on the make up of the final 4 with home ground advantage and the double chance still there to earn and to lose for both. The Pies have proven human in recent weeks with good opposition doing just enough to get over the line against them. They have missed Jeremy Howe's leadership in the back half as well as the big frame of Billy Frampton so buffering that with trademark pressure upfield will go a long way to getting the game on their terms.
# The Lions left Peoples First Stadium last week with their tails between their legs. In a result that we rarely see, the Lions' midfield was outmuscled and outworked by the hungry Suns. I'll be looking for Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage to return to their stellar form and lift their team's intensity around the contest. How this experienced cohort responds will define their team's prospects in September. This is a game the Lions need to win, so expect a finals-like intensity to the fixture.
# Brisbane's vaunted new go-forward offence will be tested by the Pies' defensive integrity. A lot of this is imposed by the Pies with their controlled ball use that sets them up for turnover defence. How do the Lions create broken play opportunities and prevent the Pies from slowing the game down? They need to bring fierce pressure in their front half and prevent the first mark being taken to allow the release of pressure and with ball in hand, be prepared to take the longest contest directly to goal … and quickly.
# Jordan De Goey has endured what could only be described as a broken season without any momentum or consistency. Performing with this preparation is a challenge he and the Pies will need to face – and pass – in the coming months. De Goey is one of the best trainers I have seen and track watchers have noticed the return of his power and intensity in training drills over the past fortnight. Great signs for what he may provide as a centre forward wildcard come finals time. When a clearance or contest needs to be won or a moment arrives, De Goey has proven that he can rise to it … that ability separates teams in big games.
FAST FACT: Collingwood has won the past four meetings between these two teams. Magpie Nick Daicos collected five Brownlow Medal votes from the two home-and-away battles against the Lions last year.