• After the siren: Bombers lose the battle but pass the spirit test
• Around the state leagues: Currie hurt, Sinclair stars
• 2014 ladder predictor
1. Don't call the Dogs irrelevant
If the Western Bulldogs were irrelevant and invisible among Melbourne's 10 AFL clubs then they have taken a huge step towards re-establishing themselves on the football landscape with their win over Collingwood. Even the hardiest of Dogs supporters might have doubted their chances of upsetting the top-four hopefuls but a sublime marriage of old heads and youthful exuberance will have renewed hope at the Kennel. The challenge is to offer the same four-quarter performance week-in, week-out but for now the Dogs should bask in the glow of a fine backs-against-the-wall win. - Travis King
2. Gaz still has some Buddy big company
There was a period in recent years when Gary Ablett and Lance Franklin were widely considered the two best players in the country. Ablett has carried the mantle as the competition's best for some time, but Franklin's unique skill set for a 198cm player meant he was regularly part of the same conversation. That talk eased over the past 18 months, however, due to a combination of factors. In his last year at Hawthorn, teammate Jarryd Roughead ended Franklin's six-year run as its leading goalkicker, with 'Buddy' used further up the ground. He also carried a series of injuries at different times, including a knee injury earlier this year. But his performances over the past month, capped by a match-winning five-goal haul against Port Adelaide on Saturday, have proven his talent is far from on the decline. Right now, he must be dragging himself back into that Ablett discussion. - James Dampney
WATCH: Franklin destroys the Power in brilliant second half3. Levi Casboult has a new weapon
In the past it was common for Carlton forward Levi Casboult to undo his brilliant contested marking with wayward kicking. Not any more. Having reworked his set shot routine and grown in confidence, the key target now poses a significant threat in the Blues' forward line. On Friday night he carried his team on his shoulders through the second quarter, kicking three goals for the term and finishing with 4.0. It was a breakout performance for the 24-year-old, who had kicked 4.7 in eight games leading into round 13. - Nathan Schmook
4. The Giants' midfield can rise on Mummy’s shoulders
In his fourth match back from a knee injury, Shane Mumford took over against the Lions and again showed why he is a barometer for the Giants. Coach Leon Cameron described it perfectly after the match, saying his young midfielders had "walked a little taller" since Mumford was reinstated in the line-up a month ago. If he keeps providing the silver service to his classy young teammates, the former Swans enforcer can help the Giants scale the competition's midfield heights. Lachie Whitfield (32 disposals), sublime leader Callan Ward (31), Dylan Shiel (27) and Adam Treloar (26) were particularly influential against the Lions and have Mumford to thank for at least a little slice of their play. - Michael Whiting
5. Attacking footy suits the Demons
The first half of Sunday's clash with Essendon wasn't one Melbourne fans would rush home to watch again. While the Demons chipped the ball backwards and sideways, the Bombers drove it into their forward line and consequently racked up 38 inside 50s to 11 before half time to lead by 21 points. Then, the Demons came out with a new mindset – they won the ball in the middle, used the corridor and moved it quicker and more decisively. The new approach resulted in four goals – one more than they managed in the opening two quarters, with Dom Tyson and Jack Viney having a big say in proceedings. They went on to win an absolute nail biter by a single points. In doing so, the Demons showed they can be quite exciting when they play like there's nothing to lose. - Jennifer Phelan
Watch the last two minutes from Sunday's MCG thriller6. Richmond's recruiters have unearthed a find
The Tigers' strategy of recycling players from other clubs has come under intense scrutiny in a bitterly disappointing season, but in Anthony Miles they look to have found a gem. A zone selection by GWS in 2011, Miles played 10 games in two seasons for the Giants before being cut at the end of last year. Thrown a lifeline in last year's rookie draft, the tough midfielder dominated the VFL before getting his chance against North Melbourne in round 12. He had 19 touches and backed that up with a team-high 30 disposals and a goal against Fremantle. His future at Punt Road looks bright. - Travis King
7. Is there a 206-point gap between the top and bottom of the AFL?
A couple of weeks ago, Geelong travelled to Sydney and lost to the Swans by 110 points. On Sunday, however, the Cats demolished the lowly Saints by 96 points. They did it without star players Steve Johnson, Jared Rivers and Hamish McIntosh, and they had two first-gamers in their team. It is rudimentary to simply add the margins together and use that as the gap between the best and worst teams in the competition. Yet if the Swans played St Kilda next week, it's fair to say that no one would be surprised if the red and whites won by 25 goals. - Adam McNicol
8. The Suns' September ambitions are in jeopardy
If Gold Coast was to consider itself a finals contender, beating West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Saturday was a must. The Eagles entered without Darren Glass, Dean Cox, Scott Selwood and Luke Shuey having lost seven of their past eight matches. Having never won in Perth, the Suns could hardly get a better chance. But they conceded a 35-point three-quarter time lead and despite kicking six goals in the last term to hit the front they could not hang on to win. Now at 7-5 they have given Essendon, Adelaide and West Coast a sniff, with matches against Geelong, Hawthorn and Collingwood to come in the next three weeks. - Alex Malcolm
9. Brodie Smith is one of Adelaide's MVPs
Smith's best on ground performance was no surprise to coach Brenton Sanderson who said Smith has been one of his favourites all season. His run, his composure, skills and booming kick are super effective in the modern game and he's crucial to the Crows' finals chances. Sanderson joked after the win over North Melbourne that he should stop talking up his young star because he might start getting tagged. Opposition coaches should listen. Don't be surprised to see a defensive forward going to him for the rest of the season. - Tom Wilson
