Former Western Bulldogs and Richmond coach Terry Wallace says top four aspirants Geelong and Sydney are under the most pressure to record wins in round three.
Wallace admits that the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and Carlton are the most desperate sides to get their first wins of the season but thinks that other matches have more affect on the dynamic of season 2018.
Wallace debates that the Swans and Cats have more on the line with genuine premiership aspirations, making this weekend’s matches critical for both teams.
“Geelong could quite easily be 0-2, they could quite easily be 2-0. Both of their games have been that way,” Wallace told SEN Afternoons.
“A lot of people think Geelong is just a better side than West Coast and should win, but we saw how much West Coast ran Sydney over in Perth the other week. We saw Fremantle win against Essendon who were favourites last week.
“West Coast will not want to be dropping two home games at that venue...If you’re talking about trying to secure yourself as a top four, top two side…you don’t want to be 1-2.”
Wallace forecasted a tough road ahead for the Swans who were upset by the Power at the SCG last weekend.
“I thought that they dropped the game against Port Adelaide that I thought they’d win at home…they’ve got a really tough first six rounds,” he said.
Round three could be the most unpredictable fixture yet with a series of tight encounters set to unravel. The Swans play the Giants at the SCG, while the Cats travel to Optus Stadium to play the Eagles.
