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1v2: The teams under the most pressure heading into Round 3
SEN • March 26th, 2026 4:25 pm
SEN’s Dwayne Russell has named the five teams under the most pressure heading into Round 3.
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 – Essendonvs North Melbourne – Marvel Stadium – Saturday
“Number one is obvious, Essendon,” Russell told SEN's Dwayne's World.
“Biggest fallout from a loss is what we talk about with the main parameter for the pressure meter. Essendon, obvious reasons.
“More heat on the club and more heat on the coach who might not keep his job for 2027 if they can't get things right not just over the next couple of weeks but for the rest of the year.”
2 - North Melbournevs Essendon – Marvel Stadium – Saturday
“I've got North Melbourne at two. There's an argument to even suggest that they should be pushing Essendon for number one.
“If Essendon lose, the week probably won't get any hotter than it already is for Brad Scott. But if North Melbourne lose, they become the topic of next week.
“The Round 1 win over Port Adelaide will suddenly be viewed as just another false dawn in a long line of false dawns for North in the past couple of years under Alastair Clarkson.
“The fallout from a loss to the lowly Dons for North Melbourne would be pretty big as well. If North Melbourne is outplayed, if Essendon is more desperate like West Coast were more desperate, then I think there will be a lot of pressure on North Melbourne and Alastair Clarkson next week.”
3 – GWS Giantsvs Collingwood - Marvel Stadium – Friday
“I've got the Giants at three.
“Most think that Collingwood is about to fall off a cliff, and that the Giants are still in the flag window with a very good list.
“The Giants do have a better list than Collingwood. Both teams have guys out, but overall, the Giants have a better list than Collingwood and higher expectations this season, to go further into September than Collingwood.
“The Giants are running out of time to win a flag under Adam Kingsley with this list because a few of the guys are getting older, and a few of the guys are getting injury hit at the moment. So, I've got the Giants at three.”
4 - Brisbanevs St Kilda – Marvel Stadium – Saturday
“I've got the Brisbane Lions at four.
“Most are saying you can't win a flag from seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth this year. You start 0-3, then all of a sudden you're taking away your chances of being bale to finish top four, top six in some respects.
“They do have a couple of teams that they'll start favourites against - Collingwood at home the week after. A 0-3 start always has you as a possibility of being in the pressure meter, and I've got them at four.”
5 – Carltonvs Melbourne - MCG – Sunday
“I've got Carlton at five.
“Coming off a week off, versus Melbourne coming home from Perth. This should be a solid win for the Blues, I reckon.”
