1. Geelong's 'other' midfield recruit can be a match-winner, too
Patrick Dangerfield has been outstanding, and his 32 disposals – 15 contested – went a long way to dragging Geelong over the line for a crucial win against Greater Western Sydney. But ruckman Zac Smith, dominated early by Shane Mumford, kick-started the fightback and produced his best game in the blue and white hoops, with 31 hit-outs, 19 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal. Winning contested ball and clearances unlocks Geelong's potential and Smith has shown he can take pressure off midfield bulls Joel Selwood and Dangerfield to ignite the Cats. - Travis King
2. The Power's mosquito fleet holds they key to their finals chances
Now sitting just one game outside the top eight, there is a new energy about Port Adelaide and it's starting in the forward line. Small forwards Jake Neade, Chad Wingard and Jarman Impey are the AFL's new mosquito fleet, and combined with 188cm forward Aaron Young, the four shared in 12 of Port's 19 goals against Collingwood on Sunday. Impey, who had a game-high three goal assists, appears to be the glue after switching from half-back. And it is no coincidence that Wingard's return to form after a quiet start to the season has coincided with three wins in five games and much more competitive performances. While the smalls ran riot at ground level on Sunday, hard-working tall Charlie Dixon repeatedly created contests and had a big role to play in their form. - Nathan Schmook
3. It's time for the Tigers to dig deeper into their list
Any talk of a Richmond renaissance after consecutive wins against the Sydney Swans, Fremantle and Essendon was put on ice on a cold night in Hobart. Such was the Tigers' struggle to deal with North's pressure and attack on the ball it appeared they were well out of their depth against certified top-four opposition. While Damien Hardwick will have his hand forced to some extent through injury, he also flagged the prospect of making changes to address performance issues within the group. Whoever the 'emerging young talent' is that Hardwick referred to after Friday's loss has a big job ahead to provide the boost needed to reinvigorate Richmond's season and keep any remaining flicker of hope alive for a finals berth. - Stu Warren
4. Gary Rohan is the Swans' X-Factor
In just his third game back from a long-term hamstring injury, Gary Rohan again showed why he could be the difference between the Swans winning a flag and not. In his comeback match against Hawthorn two weeks ago, his blistering speed helped him kick three goals in a low-scoring affair. Against the Suns on Saturday night his deft skills were on display. While most others slipped, slid and fumbled in the atrocious conditions, Rohan was clean and all class. He kicked the game's first goal, laid on another for Luke Parker and his 19 disposals went at a match-high 90 per cent efficiency. Throw in seven tackles and you can see he has the all-around package to help the Swans to another level. - Michael Whiting
5. The Blues are now spreading the midfield load
With Marc Murphy sidelined with an ankle injury and Bryce Gibbs well held by Mitch Robinson, Carlton's midfield supporting cast showed in the Brisbane Lions win that it's not daunted when the spotlight shines its way. Patrick Cripps sits comfortably with Murphy and Gibbs as a midfield A-grader and was superb against the Lions with 26 possessions, six clearances and two goals. But the ability of Ed Curnow (28 possessions and four clearances) and former Crow Sam Kerridge (30 possessions) to pick up much of the midfield slack created by Gibbs' quiet day would have been particularly pleasing for Carlton coach Brendon Bolton. Especially considering Curnow also kept Lion Daniel Rich to just four possessions in the first half. It's a good sign the Blues are starting to build the midfield depth the competition's better teams boast. - Nick Bowen
6. Lyon was right when he said Dockers weren't tanking
Fremantle's big victory over Essendon proves the incentive to win is greater than the lure of high draft picks. There was plenty of chatter in the lead-up so Saturday night's contest at Domain Stadium about how victory would be a booby prize in the race for draft picks. The Dockers and Bombers went into the game as 17th and 18th on the ladder, and pundits were quick to draw comparisons with the infamous 'Kreuzer Cup' clash between Melbourne and Carlton in 2007. But the Dockers proved in their 20.6 (126) to 6.11 (47) thrashing that losing games on purpose was not on the radar. - Riley Stuart
7. Don't discount the importance of big men to the Bulldogs
They might be unheralded but the Western Bulldogs' three key big men, Jack Redpath, Tom Campbell and Jordan Roughead all get the job done when required. The trio took eight contested marks and kicked four goals between them in Sunday's hard-earned win against West Coast, with Campbell slotting two second-half goals when set shots were being missed around him. Up against Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett, Campbell and Roughead matched the Eagles in the air and at the stoppages to turn what appeared to be a weakness into a strength. If they can keep on doing the job, the Western Bulldogs are legitimate contenders. - Peter Ryan
8. Dom Tyson's star is on the rise
For a player who finished second in his club's best and fairest two years ago, Tyson's potential has probably been underrated outside Olympic Park. But as Melbourne rises so does recognition for Tyson, who took it up to Hawthorn's premiership onballers on Saturday and emerged as the best player on the ground. The 22-year-old, who suffered a medial injury this time last year and battled for the rest of the season, was the instigator of Melbourne's fightback, racking up 12 possessions (eight contested), four inside 50s and a goal in the second quarter alone, to finish with 32 possessions and nine clearances. His Demons ultimately fell short, but Tyson, who was part of the trade with Greater Western Sydney that landed the Giants Josh Kelly, reminded the competition of his class. - Nathan Schmook
9. The Crows' contested crown is in good hands
Scott Thompson was forced out of the side on Sunday against St Kilda not for a rest, apparently, but through general soreness. Whatever the reason, Matt Crouch was brought into the side as his replacement and the 21-year-old pushed his case as the heir to the contested king's throne. Crouch amassed a staggering 17 possessions (five clearances) in the opening term. Thompson hasn't talked retirement and given his 2016 form why would he, but there’s no doubt Crouch is ready to take over as the club’s premier inside ball-winner when he does. - Harry Thring
