1. It's time to recognise the Swans' credentials
Not spoken about in the same breath as Geelong and Hawthorn so far this season, the Sydney Swans provided a timely reminder that they are in fact the reigning premiers. Through the middle stages of the game they kicked nine of 10 goals, playing an exhilarating brand of 'slingshot' football that any opposition would battle to contain. The highlight was a Lewis Jetta goal on the run, set up by a perfectly placed pass from Luke Parker. The Swans' 6-2-1 start has them in the top four and well placed to defend their 2012 flag. - Nathan Schmook
2. The Tigers can't yet match it with the best
Richmond has aspirations to make the finals and so it should. But if the Tigers are going to do that they will need to start beating the sides above them and not only the ones below. Having already been outpointed by Collingwood, Geelong and Fremantle (only just) this year, Essendon showed the Tigers were still some way off in Saturday night's Dreamtime at the 'G contest. The 29-point loss flattered Richmond, for the Bombers could easily have run out winners to the tune of 10 goals. There is undoubted talent at Punt Road but so far this season the Tigers haven't proved they belong alongside the best just yet. - Callum Twomey
3. Stevie J's star rises again
After an injury-interrupted start to 2013 for Geelong's Steve Johnson, fans might have been forgiven if they had forgotten just how damaging the superstar is. Johnson delivered those observers a wake-up call against Port Adelaide, dominating early with 18 disposals and a goal in the first half. He was at his creative best in the midfield and ended with 32 possessions, two goal assists and nine tackles. It was simply another masterclass by the 29-year-old, who truly is one of the most incredible players of the modern era. - Harry Thring
4. Jarrad Waite can take Carlton from the also-rans to a contender
Sure, the Lions were without suspended fullback Daniel Merrett, but Waite dismantled them on Saturday night. He destroyed 2012 best and fairest winner Joel Patfull, who had no answer for Waite's speed, leaping and clean hands. Despite having his usual difficulties in front of goal, the 30-year-old was dominant, grabbing 12 marks – seven contested – and kicking 3.3. In three matches this season, Waite has taken 12 contested grabs and added a new dimension to the Blues' forward line. Watch out when Eddie Betts (suspension) and Chris Yarran (hamstring) return to clean up any crumbs he leaves behind. If Waite can stay injury-free himself, Carlton is a whole new proposition. - Michael Whiting
5. There is life left in an old Eagle
Injuries have been cruel to Daniel Kerr in recent years. Between 2007 and 2011, he averaged fewer than 12 games per season due to a variety of ailments. He bounced back in 2012, appearing in all 24 games, but off-season knee surgery kept him out of three of West Coast's nine games this year. Against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday, however, the 2007 All Australian showed he still has plenty to offer. Two weeks after his 30th birthday, Kerr contributed 28 touches, 10 clearances, five inside 50s and a goal in his best game of the season. - James Dampney
6. There's only one Nick Riewoldt
And that's the unfortunate truth for St Kilda. The Saints skipper is in rare form this year and with seven marks and four goals against the Western Bulldogs, he was again his club's best player. He seems to have lost little of his athleticism and stamina, and his searching leads up the ground in search of the ball were regularly rewarded. But there's the rub for the Saints. They don't have any other consistent marking targets close to goal, so when Riewoldt is marking them out on the wing, opposing defenders can load up in the backline for the easy spoil and the rebound. Riewoldt remains a great contested mark, but he no longer has the forward-line weapons around him when he decides to play further up the round. If only there were two of him. - Ashley Browne
7. Fremantle's forwards have found their groove
Ross Lyon-coached teams are renowned for their miserly defence and low-scoring nature, yet the Dockers are scoring far more heavily than they did through the first nine rounds last year. Only twice in Lyon's first nine games as Fremantle coach did the Dockers manage 25 or more scoring shots. This season, they have managed that feat in five of the nine rounds. Even more impressively, the Dockers have done it with their eight-time club leading goalkicker Matthew Pavlich missing six matches, and 2011's equal-leading goalkicker Kepler Bradley missing four. - Alex Malcolm
8. The Roos might be developing some mental scars
After its fourth loss by four points or less, North has again underlined its fragility in close games. The Roos led Adelaide by 39 points at the six-minute of the second term and, despite letting the Crows back into the game in the middle two quarters, seemed to have reasserted their authority when they led by 30 points at the nine-minute mark of the final term. But North Melbourne then allowed the Crows to pile on five unanswered goals, including three in the final four minutes, to allow yet another likely victory to slip through its fingers. Coach Brad Scott has cut his players some slack until now, but after Sunday's loss he openly questioned whether they are mentally tough enough when things get tight. - Nick Bowen
9. Gaz loves playing Hawthorn
He's not running around for Geelong anymore, but could it be that Gary Ablett is still acting out his own little version of the 'Kennett Curse'? While the Cats have won all 10 clashes with Hawthorn since the 2008 Grand Final loss – and former Hawks president Jeff Kennett's subsequent declaration that his club had the wood on them – Ablett has amassed a remarkable record against Alastair Clarkson's team in the same period. In eight games against Hawthorn since the start of 2009 (four with Geelong and four for Gold Coast), he has racked up 295 disposals at an average of 36.9 per game. His 37 disposals and three goals on Sunday followed 43 touches and two goals in the clubs' only meeting last year, and 43 in round 24, 2011. - Mark Macgugan
