• Forecast the final eight with the 2014 ladder predictor
• Fantasy round review: The Brisbane Lion who roared
1. Collingwood can't afford drops in intensity
The Magpies haven't missed the finals since 2005, but if they are to extend that sequence to nine straight seasons, they must fix what went wrong against Essendon two weeks ago, and again against the Crows on Sunday. The Pies were easily outplayed early on against Adelaide at the MCG, and were lucky to not have been blown away by quarter time. They have a reasonable run home – three games they will be expected to win and two (against Port and Hawthorn) they will probably start as outsiders. But to reclaim the spot in the eight they have now surrendered to Adelaide, they need to begin games with the same tackling pressure and tenacity that was on show at times against the Crows in the second half. - Callum Twomey2. Adam Goodes remains a very valuable player
The 343-game veteran looked on his last legs during the first half of the Sydney Swans' loss to Hawthorn in the Saturday night blockbuster at the MCG. The ball rarely came his way in the first hour, and when it did, he looked slow and down on confidence. But Goodes is a champion, and he proved that yet again in the second half. The 34-year-old kicked the first two goals of the third quarter, one of which was a brilliant left-foot snap. He then kept his men in the contest by kicking two more majors in the last quarter. If he had been paid what looked a mark late close to goal in the final term, he would probably have finished with a game-high haul of five. Any club that underestimates Goodes in the finals will do so at its peril. - Adam McNicol
WATCH: Match highlights - Hawthorn v Sydney Swans3. The Eagles need bigger men in the midfield
As the losses mount for West Coast, so too do the battered bodies in a frequently out-gunned midfield. On Friday night the Eagles lost the contested possession count by 27 to Richmond. It's the fifth time this year they have lost that category by 17 or more in any match. Even accounting for the absences of Scott Selwood, Matt Rosa and Elliot Yeo, it's clear that the coming off-season holds plenty of punishing gym work for the club's under-sized midfielders. Coach Adam Simpson also may search for bigger bodies in the draft and trade period to help bolster the stocks. - Alex Malcolm
4. To stop the Lions, you've got to stop Pearce Hanley
Since the retirement of Simon Black and the season-ending ACL for Daniel Rich, it's becoming increasingly obvious that Pearce Hanley is the most dangerous Lions midfielder, and a barometer for the club's success. Gold Coast chose to send Danny Stanley to tag Tom Rockliff on Saturday night – a move that failed dismally, with Rockliff racking up 46 touches – but it was the Irishman that did the most damage. Hanley broke lines, took bounces, hit targets, kicked goals, had 45 disposals and gained more than 1000 metres in a scintillating showing. If you want to lock down the Lions, you'd be best served following Ross Lyon's lead five weeks ago, when he sent Ryan Crowley to Hanley and kept him to an anonymous nine touches in a thumping Fremantle win. - Michael Whiting
And in case you missed it, here's what we learned from the first half of round 18:
5. The road trip to Spotless Stadium is getting harder by the week
New AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan is fond of referring to Greater Western Sydney as boasting "scary potential" and there is no question the third-year side is on the march. Four wins demonstrate a steady improvement, but it's not just the win-loss columns that show the direction GWS is taking. Against Geelong in round 18, the Giants were more than competitive in the first half before a poor third term allowed the Cats to take control. Two goals to start the final quarter then gave them a 36-point lead and everyone watching assumed the game was over. GWS, however, was far from finished. Producing 11 scoring shots to five in that term, the home side got within six points before falling just short. Afterwards, Cats coach Chris Scott made the simple comment that trips to Spotless Stadium will get harder and harder each time. That scary potential is undoubtedly being realised. - James Dampney
6. Jake Carlisle can be the competition's next dominant forward
If Carlisle can continue the form he has shown the past two weeks then he should never be played in defence again. The key position player has struggled to make an impact up forward this season, but against Collingwood last week it all came together as he took an incredible 19 marks and booted four goals. To prove that performance wasn't a flash in the pan, he backed it up against the Bulldogs on Sunday. He saw off two opponents and booted eight goals in a match-winning display. It's worth remembering Carlisle is still only 22 years old. If he can continue to produce these performances week-in, week-out he will be a dominant force for many years to come. – Ben Sutton
Western Bulldogs v Essendon - watch the last two minutes7. Rhys Stanley can carry the flame
Being touted as Nick Riewoldt’s successor is a big burden, but Rhys Stanley showed against Fremantle that he can be St Kilda’s No.1 forward when ‘Roo’ retires. Stanley was outstanding in the Saints’ unthinkable upset win. He led hard, marked strongly, kicked long and straight and ran himself into the ground. Sound familiar? His three first-half goals were hugely influential in the result, particularly his last long bomb from 55m on the stroke of half-time which cemented St Kilda’s belief that they could pull off a shock result. It was a win to savour for so many reasons and a fitting celebration of Lenny Hayes’ career. - Travis King
WATCH: Showreel - Riewoldt and Rhys inspire the Saints8. Melbourne got it right on Dom Tyson
The Demons' decision to trade their No.2 draft pick to acquire Tyson from the Giants represented a calculated risk, but it was clearly the right call. The 21-year-old midfield gun has taken his game to new heights this season, and against Port Adelaide on Sunday produced the best game of his 29-match career. Collecting an equal career-high 32 possessions and booting two goals, he was clearly best on ground, adding seven tackles to his stats tally. – Harry Thring
9. North Melbourne can't be trusted
The Kangaroos have struggled to start well for most of the season. It is a trait that suggests a team with too few professional, hard-nosed players capable of turning up with the right mindset every week. Against Carlton the Roos allowed their opponents to control possession early without feeling pressure. This built the Blues' confidence and belief in each other and allowed them to absorb the pressure when it came after half-time. Until the Kangas develop the ability to stamp their authority on games regardless of opposition they will not be a good enough team to contend for the flag. - Peter Ryan
