1. Dog's life agrees with Cloke
When the Western Bulldogs traded for Travis Cloke at the end of last season, they knew they were getting a used All Australian – the question was whether the Cloke mobile was clapped out or still had some football kilometres left in it. The Dogs were taking a risk. Cloke had been in steady decline at Collingwood since his second All Australian season, 2013, and fell from grace to the extent he played just 13 games last year and kicked 17 goals – his lowest season return since his second year, 2006. But Cloke's three-goal game against Sydney suggests a new home was the jump-start he needed. The 196cm forward was the Bulldogs' spark plug after the Swans kicked the opening four goals, kicking three of their first five majors. As well as providing a strong target inside the Bulldogs' forward 50, Cloke used his renowned endurance to roam up the ground and provide a link-up option. Dogs coach Luke Beveridge described the 30-year-old's performance as "quite brilliant". We're not suggesting Cloke can recapture the form of his halcyon days, but he could provide an invaluable presence in attack as the Bulldogs try to defend their 2016 premiership. - Nick Bowen

2. Hawks back in the pack
Hawthorn can rage against the machine but competitive balance looks to have finally dragged it back to the field. Without a top-10 draft pick since taking Mitch Thorp at No.6 in 2006, the Hawks have needed to put their judgement on the line during trade period year after year to stay in touch. They did so again at the end of last season with Jaeger O'Meara and Tom Mitchell looking like great additions, but despite Alastair Clarkson's protestations it appears to be turning into a development year for the Hawks. - Peter Ryan  

3. Cotchin is playing like a Brownlow medallist
Richmond's skipper was awarded his 2012 Brownlow Medal in unprecedented circumstances last year, and at a time when his form had dropped from its once lofty heights. But the opening two rounds of the 2017 season have been more reminiscent of his career-best 2012 than anything Cotchin produced last year. The 26-year-old was a clear best on ground against Collingwood last Thursday night, backing up a strong opening round. He had 28 possessions, seven clearances, eight inside 50s and two goals against the Magpies, in a complete performance. His leadership was captured in two goal-saving tackles in the last five minutes, however, which delighted his coach. Richmond's game style in 2017 is built on tackling pressure, and young players need to see their captain living that trademark. The skipper has had a team-high 15 tackles across the opening two rounds, leading from the front with and without the ball. – Nathan Schmook

4. Jobe's still got it
Was there ever really a doubt? After missing 12 months through a WADA suspension, Jobe Watson eased his way back to senior footy with a solid 27-disposal opening round against Hawthorn last week. But against the Lions on Saturday night, he went to another level. Watson, 32, collected an equal match-high 33 touches, but even more telling were his six centre clearances. When he dominated in the middle, the Bombers tore the game apart. Throw in three goal assists, and Watson did enough to show he's already back somewhere near his dominating best. - Michael Whiting

5. It's Yeo time
By his own admission, Elliot Yeo plateaued last season coming off a breakout 2015 campaign, when he was one of the drivers of West Coast's push to a surprise Grand Final appearance. The 23-year-old just couldn't settle, being juggled between half-back, midfield and attack as the Eagles' 'Mr Fixit'. But the strong-marking utility is reaping the benefits of narrowing his focus this season playing as a rebounding half-back and has arguably been West Coast's best player in both games, racking up 26 touches, taking 10 marks and booting two goals against North and following up with 25 disposals and 13 grabs in the tight win over St Kilda. For the Eagles to take the next step, they need their second tier players to deliver and after 86 games Yeo looks ready to stamp himself as an A-grade star. – Travis King

6. Without leadership, Suns are set for another long season
Gold Coast was blown off the park when the Brisbane Lions booted the first seven goals last week, so you'd think the visitors would have been primed and ready to start well against Greater Western Sydney. Unfortunately for Rodney Eade, his team was just as bad at Spotless Stadium on Saturday, as the Giants piled on seven goals to one in the opening term. If you thought that was bad, the Suns then allowed the home side to kick 10 straight goals in the second half, after they'd mustered at least some sort of steel to cut a 51-point margin back to 22 points with their own five-goal run either side of half time. The most damning aspect of the Suns' play is the genuine lack of leadership and effort from the experienced players, which sets a shocking example to the host of young guns on the club's list. Looks like another long year is on the cards. - Adam Curley

7. Taylor's match-winning position is in defence
Geelong's plan to play veteran defender Harry Taylor in attack in 2017 may have been over after just one-and-a-half games, with the evidence so far overwhelmingly suggesting he should be played in defence. Against North Melbourne on Sunday, the veteran Cat had just four possessions and two marks in the first half while his team struggled to contain the rampant Roos. Trailing by 32 points in the third quarter, the switch was finally made and it proved a game-winner. Playing as a loose man, Taylor gave the Cats the steadying hand they needed with his guile to impact contests changing the game. The Cats went on to kick nine of the next 13 goals, snatching an unlikely win on the back of the senior players, including their All Australian defender. – Nathan Schmook  

8. Dixon starting to find his feet as Power's focal point
Port Adelaide spearhead Charlie Dixon has made a strong start to the season after a disappointing first year with the Power in 2016. Dixon is beginning to become more comfortable as the main target of the Power's forward line and is demanding the ball more. His clean hands were a highlight of the Power's crushing victory over Fremantle at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Dixon also formed a great combination with star midfielder/forward Robbie Gray, creating space for each other and dragging away defenders. Dixon also spent time in the ruck to give Paddy Ryder a break, and was even deployed at centre half-back for a brief period when the Dockers went on a mini surge. - Lee Gaskin

9. Melbourne doesn't rely on its stars
The Demons didn't have their greatest day against Carlton and there were plenty of experienced players down on their usual output. Senior leaders, including Jordan Lewis, Nathan Jones and Max Gawn, stepped up immeasurably in their round one win over St Kilda, but in their 22-point win over the Blues on Sunday it was the club's youngsters who took ownership. Christian Salem (31 disposals) was excellent in a best-afield performance off half-back; Clayton Oliver (34) backed up his breakout performance last week with another outstanding display and inclusion James Harmes (24) was unrelenting in the roles he performed. Coach Simon Goodwin was pleased with how his young players responded when the game was in the balance in the final term: "It's important because our leaders can't play well every week. Our leaders were fantastic last week and our younger players really stepped up today." - Ben Guthrie