Round 3

Round 2 is in the books, and the early AFL season is already throwing up some big storylines. This week, we break down the biggest winners and losers from the weekend — from West Coast explosive form to the mounting pressure at Essendon Bombers after a worrying defensive start.

Looking ahead, we preview the key matchups set to shape the early season — including big tests for Geelong Cats, Carlton Blues, and a high-pressure clash for Essendon that could define their season.

Plus, we let you know our tips for Round 3!

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Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

Welcome back, Footy fans. You're listening to the podcast where the love of the game runs in the family. I'm Max and I'm here with my dad Mark, and every week we're diving into all things footy. We'll be chatting through the biggest moments from the games just gone, breaking down the wins, the losses, and everything in between. Plus, we'll look ahead to the weekend's matchups, share our thoughts, predictions, and a bit of banter along the way. Whether you're a die hard supporter or just like a good game, you're in the right place. Let's get into the podcast.

SPEAKER_00 0:32

Alright, Max. Let's look at the review of round two.

SPEAKER_02 0:35

First match was Hawks, didn't it? Hawks had a quick start.

SPEAKER_00 0:41

Hawks were quick as well. They moved the ball really quick around the ground that night, didn't they?

SPEAKER_02 0:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 0:46

Gunston kicked four goals.

SPEAKER_02 0:48

But Charlie Kerner was really quiet.

SPEAKER_00 0:50

He was. I wonder if Sydney can find him some form. Next game was Adelaide versus the Bulldogs. This was not a bad game. Adelaide, you know, weren't playing great footy, but then by the last quarter, they moved the ball quick and hit the lead. But then the Bulldogs managed to find a way to win.

SPEAKER_02 1:10

Both sides played really good footy on Saturday.

SPEAKER_00 1:13

Oh Friday. I think both teams look like top four teams.

SPEAKER_02 1:18

Yeah, definitely.

SPEAKER_00 1:20

Next game, Max. Richmond versus Gold Coast. The hamstring sniper was out on the ground, wasn't he? Did you see him in the stadium?

SPEAKER_02 1:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:30

Yeah, he knocked down Petrarca with a hammer. He knocked down Tom Lynch.

SPEAKER_02 1:38

And he knocked down Toby Nan Curvas.

SPEAKER_00 1:41

Correct. He hit three from three that day.

SPEAKER_02 1:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:44

And the suns were hot again.

SPEAKER_02 1:46

Yeah, suns are really good in that last half.

SPEAKER_00 1:49

And then they kicked away, didn't they?

SPEAKER_02 1:51

Yeah. Next game was GWS Bank. The game was delayed by lightning.

SPEAKER_00 1:59

It was. We've seen that once before.

unknown 2:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:02

Brisbane.

SPEAKER_02 2:03

Brisbane, yeah, a few years ago.

SPEAKER_00 2:05

Yeah, that was pretty interesting.

SPEAKER_02 2:07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:07

And the Saints managed to hold on. They're in front by 30 points in the last quarter.

SPEAKER_02 2:11

GWS get more injuries.

SPEAKER_00 2:14

They did have a couple, and the Hampshire Sniper paid a visit to that game as well.

SPEAKER_02 2:18

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:19

No.

SPEAKER_02 2:20

Frio Melbourne.

SPEAKER_00 2:22

Free of Melbourne. Frio Crackers. They started the first quarter, eight goals to one or something like that. That was, remember last year, Frio's criticism were was that they could never start a game fast.

SPEAKER_02 2:34

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:35

The last two games against Geelong, even though they lost, and Melbourne, they've started the game so well. Tracy kicked four, Dudley kicked three.

SPEAKER_02 2:45

And Melbourne really should improve.

SPEAKER_00 2:48

They were good for three quarters after the first one. And we've got Port Allah versus Essendon.

SPEAKER_02 2:54

Yeah, Port versus Esmendon. Essendon.

SPEAKER_00 3:00

Their woes continue for Essendon. They were poor that day, weren't they?

SPEAKER_02 3:03

Yeah, really poor.

SPEAKER_00 3:04

They struggled, their pressure wasn't great. And Port just managed to make it look like a training drill at times.

SPEAKER_02 3:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 3:11

And Connor Rose got hit by the hamstring sniper.

SPEAKER_02 3:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 3:16

And the best game of the round, I think, is coming up. You can talk about this one.

SPEAKER_02 3:20

Yeah. West Coast delivered a terrible start. It was eight goals to one in the first quarter. They come back and take the and it looks like it's a pretty easy match against North Melbourne. They did really well then.

SPEAKER_00 3:40

Did you enjoy being at the game?

SPEAKER_02 3:42

Yeah, it was really fun.

SPEAKER_00 3:43

Crowd was loud.

SPEAKER_02 3:44

Yeah, it was really loud.

SPEAKER_00 3:45

Was that your first win at Optus Stadium for the Eagles to watch?

SPEAKER_02 3:49

Um. No. I remember going to see one in 2024.

SPEAKER_00 3:57

2024.

SPEAKER_02 3:58

Yeah. That was the last time I've seen them win.

SPEAKER_00 4:01

Oh, so it was good to get a win early in 2026.

SPEAKER_02 4:04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 4:05

Well done to the Eagles. Alright, Max. So we'll look forward to round three. Geelong versus Adelaide. Can Geelong make it two from two? Given they've had a bye as well. But you know, they beat the Dockers, had a bye, now can they win again? Yeah. Interesting. Can Adelaide bounce back over that close loss to the Bulldogs?

SPEAKER_02 4:27

Yeah, the next game is Pies GWS. I wonder if it's at Marvel. Don't know.

SPEAKER_00 4:33

Hall of Saturday, there's no games at the MCG.

SPEAKER_02 4:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 4:36

Game at Marvel.

SPEAKER_02 4:38

That's really random.

SPEAKER_00 4:39

But they got hot pies at Marvel.

SPEAKER_02 4:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 4:42

GWS, they really need to find some form, don't they?

SPEAKER_02 4:44

Yeah, really. Next game is Saints Lions. Can Brisbane get their first win? Can Saints back it up?

SPEAKER_00 4:54

Be interesting to see. Yeah. The Saints had that good win against GWS, but I really think Brisbane need a win after being last year's premiers.

SPEAKER_02 5:01

Dockers versus Richmond. Will the rain go away in birth?

SPEAKER_00 5:06

Could be a wet and windy game in Optus.

SPEAKER_02 5:08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:09

After last week's game in 30 degree heat. Dockers and Richmond could be playing in torrential rain and wind.

SPEAKER_02 5:16

Some people say that because Richmond's a foot are formed in Melbourne, Richmond could have a tiny advantage in this match.

SPEAKER_00 5:25

That'd be better at wet weather football, maybe?

SPEAKER_02 5:27

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:27

It would be. It could be.

SPEAKER_02 5:28

Just right.

SPEAKER_00 5:29

Okay, now we go to Essendon versus North Melbourne. Both teams are going to be under a lot of pressure.

SPEAKER_01 5:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:37

Not great start to the season.

SPEAKER_01 5:39

Can Essendon bounce back from last place?

SPEAKER_00 5:43

Can Essendon just find some form? Because their form's been terrible in two weeks. The coach is under pressure, the club is under pressure.

SPEAKER_02 5:50

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:51

It's going to be a hard one.

SPEAKER_02 5:52

Now next game, Port vs. Eagles. Eagles are good last week against North Melbourne. Eagles nearly beat Port Adelaide last time they were at Adelaide Oval.

SPEAKER_00 6:07

That was a close game last. Eagles were inside for all day apart from the last quarter.

SPEAKER_02 6:11

Yeah, they got smashed in the last quarter.

SPEAKER_00 6:13

That's hard to read Port Adelaide for. They lost to North Melbourne, then they beaten Essendon. Eagles beat North Melbourne, so maybe Eagles can beat Port.

unknown 6:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:22

Last game of the round, Carlton versus Melbourne. Both on one win each. Which rebuild is going better? That is the question.

SPEAKER_02 6:31

I for me personally, I think it would be the Carlton rebuild. Which is going better?

SPEAKER_00 6:39

We'll have to wait and see.

SPEAKER_02 6:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:41

Alright, let's get our tips in, Max.

SPEAKER_02 6:43

So for me, my first one, Geelong Adelaide, is going to be Adelaide.

SPEAKER_00 6:48

I'm gonna go Adelaide as well.

SPEAKER_02 6:51

For pies did over S. Looking at last week, I'm gonna go Pies.

SPEAKER_00 6:57

I will go Hot Pies as well. And Saints versus Lions.

SPEAKER_02 7:01

I'm gonna go the Saints.

SPEAKER_00 7:04

Oh, I'm gonna go the Lions. The Dockers versus Richmond.

SPEAKER_02 7:08

I'm gonna go Dockers.

SPEAKER_00 7:09

I'll go Dockers as well. Essendon versus North Melbourne.

SPEAKER_02 7:13

That one's tricky. I think I'm gonna go North.

SPEAKER_00 7:18

I'm gonna go Essendon. They must bounce back.

SPEAKER_02 7:21

Yeah. Papo Eagles. Eagles have a possible chance to win, so I'm gonna go Eagles.

SPEAKER_00 7:27

I'm gonna go Eagles as well. I think they can make it two in a row.

SPEAKER_02 7:30

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 7:31

Carleton versus Melbourne. I'll go Carleton as well. Alright, thanks for listening, everyone.

SPEAKER_01 7:38

Bye.