Pressure. It's a constant for most athletes, and it rises with each passing week if results don't go your way.

Nathan Buckley knows pressure like few others. He sits in the hottest seat in the AFL landscape, with no escape as the losses stack up. We're only two rounds in, but the blowtorch from outside -- and possibly inside -- the club will intensify dramatically should Buckley's Magpies lose to the also-winless Blues on Friday night at the MCG.

The clash between these two rivals, which kicks off Round 3, will allow one coach a chance to loosen his collar; for the loser it will mean another week of intense scrutiny.

The Pies have been admirable in defeat in their two matches this year, while the Blues started brightly against Richmond before a shocker against the Suns at home in Round 2.

It's just one match of an intriguing round of football with storylines aplenty.

Here's our take on What To Watch For in Round 3.

Can the Dees burst Ben Brown's bubble?

North's ridiculous dominant streak over the Demons is now 17 wins in a row dating back to 2006. Staggering, isn't it? The streak will have to be broken one day -- surely -- but can the Kangaroos continue that crazy stranglehold over the Dees when they clash at the MCG on Saturday?

One man in particular stands between the Demons exorcising their, ahem, Demons: Ben Brown.

The big Kangaroos forward was a constant menace against the Saints last round, booting six goals in a dominant win at Etihad Stadium.

He was also a huge thorn in Melbourne's side last year -- in two close North victories, Brown booted five goals in the first and four in the second, securing five of a possible six Brownlow Medal votes.

It represents a huge test for developing Dees defender Oscar McDonald, who hasn't lowered his colours at all so far this year, and his yet-to-hit-his-straps teammate Jake Lever, who has found life in the Melbourne back six a lot more difficult than at Adelaide since heading east.

Of course, the battle further afield will have a huge bearing on Brown's ability to dominate inside forward 50, and Melbourne will be confident that their midfield will be able to account for their counterparts.

However, the Kangaroos have shown they're not the pushovers many expected them to be with two strong showings so far this year. A second victory in three games is theirs for the taking if Brown has his way.

Ben Brown kicked six goals in the Roos' win over the Saints. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Which team will rule Sydney?

Despite being strong premiership fancies, both Sydney teams enter Round 3 with a few concerns.

The Swans suffered a surprise loss to a Paddy Ryder-less Port Adelaide on their home fortress last round, while the Giants, still unbeaten, lost Tom Scully to a fractured ankle, with the key midfielder to miss at least 12 weeks.

The Buddy factor looms large on Saturday night, with the star Swans forward back to his bullocking best in the early stages of this season with hauls of eight and four goals. His match-up with Giants co-captain Phil Davis will go a large way to deciding the contest, especially with the Swans struggling to find other avenues to goal outside of Franklin.

The Swans and Giants have played five times at the SCG, with the Swans winning four, their in-and-under mids thriving on the tight confines of their home turf. But the Giants are flying, their fleet-footed, hard-running band of elite talent looking primed to go one better than their past two preliminary final exits.

Jeremy Cameron of the Giants celebrates a goal with team mates during the round one AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Western Bulldogs. Mark Nolan/Getty Images

A Swans loss will leave them at 1-2 with matches against the Bulldogs (away), Crows (home) and Cats (away) to come. While we're nowhere near last year's 0-6 start, John Longmire's men will also know all-too-well the difficulties of playing catch-up after a tardy opening to the year.

Strap yourselves in for a finals-like battle between two teams that genuinely don't like each other.

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Will Stringer reunion spark the Dogs?

Jake Stringer has hardly set the world on fire in his first two games for the Bombers, but neither has his old team.

In fact, it's fair to say the controversial former Bulldog is travelling a whole lot better than the 2016 premiers, who have plummeted starkly since their stunning flag some 18 months ago.

In two games in black and red, Stringer has averaged 12.5 touches and a commendable six tackles but hasn't hit the scoreboard at all in his new mid/forward role.

Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad celebrate Essendon's Round 1 win over Adelaide. Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

At least he's tasted victory this year, however, which can't be said for the Bulldogs. But it's the nature of the Dogs' two losses to open the season that is most concerning -- an 82-point thrashing by GWS and then a 51-point thumping by West Coast at Etihad Stadium.

The Dogs are lacking the aggression, teamwork and unity that drove them to such heights in 2016, with coach Luke Beveridge struggling to find answers.