After more than a decade of retreating to tropical paradises such as Queensland in September, Richmond fans need stray no further than the MCG this year. The Tigers have all but booked their first finals berth since 2001 with their 27-point win over Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday. With six rounds to go, they are now three games clear of ninth-placed Carlton – a position even they won't let slip. Not when their remaining draw includes highly winnable games against the Brisbane Lions (MCG, round 20), the Blues (MCG, round 21) and Greater Western Sydney (Skoda Stadium, round 22). If they maintain their hold on sixth place, the Tigers will earn a home final in the first week of the finals that – given the swelling Tiger army of late – could be played nowhere other than the 'G. - Nick Bowen
2. The fight for Gold Coast's top ruck spot will be a beauty in 2014
When a rejuvenated Zac Smith tore his ACL in round eight against the Western Bulldogs, it looked a massive hole to fill for the Suns. Greatly improved forward/ruck Charlie Dixon had an ankle injury at the same time - that he's only just recovered from – so Guy McKenna turned to Tom Nicholls as his final ruck option. Since coming in against Geelong in round 10 for the second match of his career, Nicholls has been nothing short of sensational. Against the Magpies duo of Ben Hudson and Jarrod Witts, he was again influential in getting his midfielders on the front foot with 12 disposals, 33 hit-outs and eight tackles. With Smith, Nicholls and Dixon all up and firing next season, McKenna is going to have a nice selection problem to deal with. - Michael Whiting
3. Lindsay Thomas is the All Australian small forward
Kangaroos coach Brad Scott put it very simply on Friday night when he said if Thomas isn't an All Australian small forward this year, he doesn't know who is. Thomas is a transformed footballer, one who kicks goals and stands up in the big moments for North Melbourne. It's a far cry from a few years back, when Thomas' goal kicking yips saw him end up in the VFL. On Friday night he Thomas kicked six goals for the Roos, for a season tally of 45. Thomas almost won his battle with Carlton's small forwards singlehandedly: Jeff Garlett, Eddie Betts and Chris Yarran combined for eight goals. - Callum Twomey
4. Port Adelaide has nerve
Not only did the Power hold on to eighth place with that nailbiting win over the Saints, it also showed character. Make no doubt about it, the Saints threw everything at Port on Saturday night. They overcame a slow start and had the momentum for the majority of the second half. What set the two sides apart was composure. The Power found goals when they had to, while the Saints didn't make the most of their opportunities. And while it could be said the Saints found some spirit, it's the ability to hold on against the tide that will set the Power in good stead. - Jacqui Reed
5. A hard-earned milestone
The Brisbane Lions are in the midst of an audacious and most likely, fruitless bid to make the finals and Sunday's AAMI Stadium clash with Port Adelaide is an early elimination final in every sense. But it will also be an important afternoon for defender Matt Maguire, who will play his 150th AFL game next weekend. Maguire was left stranded on 99 games by former Saints coach Ross Lyon, but the Lions, if you'll pardon the twist, have been his salvation. He joined the club almost as an afterthought with doubts that his fragile body could any longer withstand the rigours of AFL but he has played some great footy at Brisbane and has been a lynchpin of the background. The Lions will get around Maguire this week and so should Saints fans, because he was a stalwart of that club as well and probably should never have been shown the door. - Ashley Browne
6. Dangerous even when Danger-less
Just as the football world had seriously begun to question whether Adelaide could perform without Patrick Dangerfield, it knocked off a genuine premiership favourite in Geelong. Dangerfield has offered the Crows so much grunt in 2013 that in his absence it was hard to see others stepping in to pick up the slack. But brilliant midfield displays from Bernie Vince (25 disposals, two goals), Richard Douglas (33 touches, eight clearances) and Rory Sloane (27 possessions, six clearances) showed the future still offers much despite a lean season. - Harry Thring
7. These Bombers have plenty of depth
Essendon was missing Jobe Watson, David Zaharakis, Jason Winderlich and Heath Hocking, among others, against Greater Western Sydney and some fringe Bombers took advantage of their absence. Travis Colyer (four goals) and Cory Dell'Olio (19 possessions, nine tackles) played key roles in the 39-point win, while Leroy Jetta (15 possessions, one goal) contributed in his first game since round 10. Nathan Lovett-Murray also made a welcome return as a third quarter substitute. Coach James Hird expects some of his experienced hands back to face Hawthorn on Friday night, but depth will be critical as the run to the finals begins. - James Dampney
8. The Hawks are looking forward
With all due respect to the determined Western Bulldogs, it could be argued that Hawthorn had one eye on next weekend’s Etihad Stadium blockbuster against Essendon even before Saturday’s match was complete. With several big names to return ahead of the clash against Essendon – and the match likely to have a significant impact on the makeup of the top four come finals time – you could almost forgive the Hawks for limping home by 19 points in Launceston. One thing’s for sure, though, Alastair Clarkson won’t be laughing if the same thing happens next Friday night. Expect the Hawks to step right up in a crunch match against their traditional foe and don’t discount the chance of the kind of fireworks that made the Hawthorn/Essendon rivalry so special throughout the ‘80s. - Stu Warren
9. Hannebery reaches a higher level
Dan Hannebery is ranked 96th in the Official AFL Player Ratings and is the eighth-best Swan. He finished 10th in the Swans' best and fairest last year when he averaged 23 disposals and kicked 10 goals across 25 games. But this season he has elevated himself to another level and against the Eagles he belied those rankings by again proving himself an elite AFL midfielder. He's averaging more disposals in 2013 (26) and has kicked five more goals than last year already. He was simply sublime against West Coast. It was the sixth time he has had 30- plus disposals and the fifth time he has kicked multiple goals this year. He is becoming a consistent match-winner in a Swans outfit that keeps winning. - Alex Malcolm
