AFL round 3 preview: Mid West players look to build momentum with wild, damp and unusually early matches ahead

Fremantle are bracing for wet and wild conditions at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon from the effects of cyclone Narelle, but the AFL declared the clash with Richmond will not be shifted. The Dockers’ wet-weather form in 2025 yielded five wins from their six games played in damp conditions. Dongara’s Jaeger O’Meara will return this weekend against Richmond after completing full training sessions this week, while Judd McVee remains in the line-up. West Coast faces an early start as they head to Adelaide Oval to play Port Adelaide, with Sunday’s match due to start at 9.30am AWST. Northampton’s Jamie Cripps will look to add to his goal tally after last week’s three-goal performance, while the Eagles will go for their first back-to-back wins since round six 2024. West Coast’s Tyler Brockman is still another 4-5 weeks away from playing after going under the knife last week. He also appeared at Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link on a grievous bodily harm charge. After a week off, the Patrick Cripps-led Carlton side closes round three with a Sunday afternoon bout at the MCG against Melbourne. The Dees are a difficult side to place this year, having beaten a much hyped St Kilda side but facing a heavy defeat against Fremantle last weekend. However, the Carlton faithful will view this as a must-win, after having just scraped by against Richmond after opening round’s much-criticised thrashing against Sydney. Equally, St Kilda is up against the reigning premiers Brisbane, who will be hungry to get a win on the board after dropping their first two games. Meanwhile, Liam Ryan and Jack Carroll will be hungry to build momentum from last weekend’s win. Geelong’s Jack Martin is scheduled to play on Thursday night, but at time of print, the match had not yet been played. Martin will look to have an impact up forward against Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium. Coorow-Latham product and Sydney forward Logan McDonald has a bye this weekend.