Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Netball
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Full Noise by SN
"Is that unfair?": The team under the most pressure in Round 9
SEN • May 7th, 2026 6:00 pm
SEN’s Dwayne Russell has named the five teams under the most pressure heading into Round 9.
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 – Western Bulldogsvs Port Adelaide - Adelaide Oval – Friday
“I do have the Dogs at number one,” Russell told SEN's Dwayne's World.
“Yeah, the Dogs have Sam Darcy and Rory Lobb and Tom Liberatore out, but the Dogs have lost their past four, and they play Port, who also have a few of their best out as well.
“Their captain, Connor Rozee is out, as well as Jack Lukosius and Sam Powell-Pepper.
“I know people in Victoria don't rate Connor Rozee as highly as Sam Darcy, I get that, but he is an All-Australian, he is a captain, and he is just as important to Port as Sam Darcy is to the Dogs.
“It's not like the Dogs are facing an impossible task against a full-strength premiership contender. The Dogs are facing a team with a couple out who are below them on the ladder.
“I do have the Dogs at number one. Is that unfair, or is it time to put a bit of pressure on the Dogs?”
2 - GWS Giantsvs Essendon – ENGIE Stadium – Sunday
“I've got the Giants at two.
“The Giants should be number one on the pressure meter, but no one really gets their cage rattled if the Giants lose. In terms of fallout from a loss, I think it's bigger for the Dogs than the Giants.
“They are 3-5. Lose to Essendon at home to drop to 3-6 after being a premiership contender for the last three years, I think there will be some fallout.”
3 – Port Adelaidevs Western Bulldogs - Adelaide Oval – Friday
“I've got Port Adelaide at three.
“The signs at Port are okay, but the reality is ,they've lost three of their last four.
“You can't keep playing the 'We're batting well, we just keep getting out' Greg Chappell card after every failed innings.”
4 - West Coastvs Melbourne – Marvel Stadium – Sunday
“I've actually got the West Coast Eagles at four.
“They are not in a rut, apparently.”
5 – Fremantlevs Hawthorn - Optus Stadium – Thursday
“I've got Fremantle at five.
“Never won a flag, never had a better chance.”
