From premiership hopefuls looking to flex their credentials, to fringe finalists fighting to keep their seasons alive — every contest this Super Saturday comes with serious stakes.
All eight teams taking to the field Saturday are genuine September hopefuls, with several also doubling as premiership contenders.
Foxfooty.com.au sat down with three-time Richmond premiership player Jack Riewoldt and two-time North Melbourne flag winner David King to discuss the biggest talking points heading into the action-packed day of football that looms as the biggest of Round 10.
COLLINGWOOD v KUWARNA (ADELAIDE), 1:20pm AEST at the MCG
There are few tougher tests in footy than facing Collingwood at the MCG, especially when you’re a team desperately trying to prove you belong in September.
For Adelaide, this assignment isn’t just about overcoming one of the competition’s best defensive units; it’s about breaking a curse that’s lasted nearly a decade.
Having not beaten the black and white since Round 17, 2016, the Crows are particularly haunted by their more recent record that’s seen their last four clashes end in complete heartbreak; all losses by less than a goal. This Saturday, they return to the ‘G with something to prove, and a heck of a lot to play for.
Star veteran Taylor Walker is the only player in Adelaide’s 23 this Saturday to have beaten the Pies in the tri-colours, with Matt Crouch (injured) and Brodie Smith (playing reserves) also still on their list. Mitch McGovern (Carlton), Jake Lever (Melbourne), Charlie Cameron (Brisbane) and Rory Atkins (Port Adelaide) also played that game, but are now at rival clubs.
Speaking to foxfooty.com.au, three-time premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt believes the MCG trip could become a defining moment for Matthew Nicks’ side.
“There’s always hoodoos in footy, but I reckon the opportunity outweighs the hoodoo for this one,” Riewoldt said.
“They haven’t played finals under Nicks — they should have, obviously with the (Round 23, 2023) result — but this is their opportunity to really announce themselves as a contender.”
Adelaide’s 6-3 record so far in 2025 has them well and truly in the hunt, and last week’s heart-stopping Showdown win over Port Adelaide reaffirmed their credentials as one of the competition’s in-form sides. But as Riewoldt notes, this week is about more than momentum.
“They don’t get many opportunities at the MCG, so this is their time to prove to us that they’ve got a really good offence and defence,” continued Riewoldt.
“They come up against the best defensive team in the competition… does the offensive game stand up against the number one contender for the title at the moment?”
Dual North Melbourne premiership player David King agrees that the Crows are flying, but notes the task at hand is tough when you travel to Melbourne for a big-stage battle.
“This Crows team is a totally different unit; I think they’re in rare form on all cylinders. Last week’s Showdown win is huge,” King told foxfooty.com.au.
“It’s really hard to win on the road. If you look at top-eight teams versus top-eight teams the last few years, you win one in every four. So if you can get one, it’s big, but if you’re done, it’s not a disaster.”
Collingwood, who have won seven of their last eight, have quietly been tuning up for this clash. The strategic resting of veterans such as Scott Pendlebury and Jeremy Howe in recent weeks suggest the reigning premiers had this blockbuster circled on their calendar with red pen well in advance.
“The Pies have probably had their eyes on this game for a couple of weeks, they’ve set themselves for a big one,” King added.
Crucially however for Adelaide, Pies skipper Darcy Moore won’t line up for the home side, leaving the visitors’ forward line licking their lips at any high ball coming inside forward 50.
Can Adelaide finally shake their Collingwood curse? Or will the Pies remind everyone that when the big stage comes about, they’re still the AFL’s most ruthless closing act?
YARTAPUULTI (PORT ADELAIDE) v GEELONG, 4:15pm AEST at Adelaide Oval
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 504 with commentary from Dwayne Russell, Mark Ricciuto, Shaun Burgoyne & Ben Dixon. Click here to watch it live on Kayo.
He’s been a player who’s decided contests off his own running and kicking this season, so it’s no surprise that one of the key battles that could decide this clash is Cats superstar Bailey Smith.
The 24-year-old is intriguingly yet to be tagged so far this season, but with Port Adelaide’s finals hopes already on thin ice, we may finally see that change on Saturday evening — and Jack Riewoldt is all for it.
“Willem Drew has to go to Bailey Smith; I think that he is the number one tag target at Geelong,” Riewoldt said.
“Max Holmes as well is an unbelievable player. Not a lot of sides will tag two players, and at the moment I think the connector, the gut runner and the spunk of Geelong (to tag) is Bailey Smith.”
David King weighed in on the tough job awaiting whoever takes on Smith, but flagged the Power may opt to look elsewhere for a shut-down role.
“Good luck whoever’s gonna do that, and bring your runners,” King quipped.
“If they can take a scalp, that’d be ideal. But do you go to Holmes, or do you go to Smith? Even though we’re all talking about what Bailey Smith has done to this midfield, I still think Holmes is their prime midfielder.”
Port Adelaide enter this game under pressure, knowing the door to finals is closing fast; such is the pure strength of the competition. Sitting at 4-5, a loss on Saturday could well throw Alberton into panic stations.
Riewoldt highlights that despite the pressure, the team and coach Ken Hinkley will be focused only on the here and now. That’s despite the fact that this will be their first match against Geelong since their shock-horror 14-goal loss to the Cats last year in the qualifying final.
“It serves no purpose for Ken to look back at all at last year’s (Qualifying Final) match,” continued Riewoldt.
“Inside his mindset, it’s probably about enjoying the last well three or four months that he gets to coach Port Adelaide.
“There’s an element of respect from the Port Adelaide players to Ken Hinkley to start performing more consistently. I’m very excited to think about what they could potentially do. They need to make sure that they play a brand of football that is Ken’s brand for the rest of the season — one, to pay respect for him, but also give themselves a small glimmer of hope to making finals.
“The finals door isn’t completely shut yet, but a loss on Saturday will almost certainly close the door I think for me.”
King reflects more heavily on their decision to opt for an extra year with Hinkley at the helm, and that they’ll need to come out firing for four quarters against the Cats to be considered a genuine top eight candidate again.
“I thought their decision at the start of this year to have the gap year with two coaches at the helm was always going to end like this; and I’m yet to be convinced otherwise.”
“I know they’ve had some injuries … could they make the eight? Potentially. But they’re in that mix of about half a dozen teams essentially fighting for two spots.”
“I’m not a Port believer; they’ve got an elite midfield, but not a lot else between the arcs.”
GWS GIANTS v WALYALUP (FREMANTLE), 4:15pm AEST at ENGIE Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 503, with commentary from Leigh Montagna, Kelli Underwood, Dermott Brereton, Brad Johnson & Alastair Lynch. Click here to watch it live on Kayo.
This one is pivotal for both sides hovering around the edge of the eight. With four wins and five losses to start 2025, it’s more than reasonable to say that Fremantle have underdelivered so far this season. Their hosts GWS (5-4) found some form with a stirring win last week to break a three-game losing streak, which leaves all eyes on the Dockers as they fight to keep their season alive heading into the middle of the season.
“They’ve been the real disappointment this season, along with Sydney. We have no real guide on who they are,” Riewoldt said.
“At the moment, their fluctuations are way too spasmodic. They’ve got about three weeks to get it right, otherwise they’ll be the real disappointment of season 2025.”
King added: “They’ve lost their trump card in Hayden Young … but there’s still enough talent here to still take it up to the Giants.
“It’s hard to beat top eight teams on their home turf, but they just need to find a way to maximise their gun pieces.
“I liked the use of Shai Bolton in the midfield last week. They may need someone else to cover him defensively though, because defensively he doesn’t get involved.
“They need more out of the smaller pieces like (Minairo) Frederick and (Isaiah) Dudley, who was exciting last week, but can do more. (Matt) Johnson can be better than what he’s been, just by getting a lot of ball. Heath Chapman, I want to see him really impact a game of footy. They’ve just got so much more to give on the edges before they become the complete package.”
The Giants return to ENGIE Stadium for the first time in six weeks amid an incredible run of interstate games, with Riewoldt ending by emphasising the importance of facing Freo in their own backyard for the first time in a long time.
“You can’t underestimate the fact of sleeping in your own bed and doing it on your own ground,” Riewoldt added.
“They’ve got the opportunity to really build off the back of what was a really good win at GMHBA Stadium last week.”
The Giants’ home turf hasn’t been kind to Fremantle — they’ve never won at ENGIE Stadium in four previous visits. With their season teetering, breaking that drought on Saturday night would be as timely as it would be historic.
WESTERN BULLDOGS v ESSENDON, 7:35pm AEST at Marvel Stadium
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.15pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kath Loughnan, Jack Riewoldt, David King & Jay Clark, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Jason Dunstall, Nathan Buckley & Ruby Schleicher. Click here to watch it live on Kayo
The ladder might say Essendon are the team in this clash up on form, but there aren’t many better sides to get a heat check against right now than the Western Bulldogs.
A 10-point loss to Gold Coast in Darwin will still burn, but Luke Beveridge’s side will see Saturday night as a prime-time chance to show the league just how real their flag credentials are.
“The Bulldogs are going really well. They play a really attacking, offensive brand of footy that will challenge an Essendon defence that has stood up against lesser sides,” Riewoldt said.
“I think they’re one of the few teams that could potentially win the flag.”
David King added: “Bailey Dale is in rare form. His ball use is the best in the competition… I don’t think there’s anyone who’s watching a lot of footy right now that isn’t in love with what the Dogs are doing.”
In contrast, while Essendon’s 5-3 record looks impressive, Riewoldt and King both believe the Bombers still have plenty to prove.
“I don’t think you can trust Essendon just quite yet,” Riewoldt revealed.
“Even going back to their own remarks around rebuilding after Round 2, they may have outperformed themselves (since). They also may be beating the sides they should be, and their position on the ladder may not reflect where they will finish at the end of the year.
“That being said, you look at young Reid who’s playing down back; you look at him and go: ‘Wow, that’s someone they’ve got right.’ There were even some question marks around him early days going back to then they got belted by the Crows at the MCG, and he had a few goals kicked on him. But he’s really stood up and become a really important player over the last six weeks for them.
“If they take this scalp, they announce themselves and can accelerate, in their own words, their rebuild faster than some other teams that have been in rebuild mode for a while now.”
For King, the jury is still out on how Essendon’s game style stacks up against a team from the top echelon.
“I’m more finding out whether Essendon, the way they play, does it protect their defensive numbers, or are there defensive improvements at the stage where they can now bank on that week in, week out?
“At the moment, I’m probably leaning towards the former, that the way they play protects them a little bit. The jury’s out, let’s find out on Saturday night.”