• Fantasy round review: In a galaxy far, far away …
• After the siren: Eagles kicking themselves, not goals
1. The Dockers desperately need Hayden Ballantyne
Ross Lyon revealed on Friday that Hayden Ballantyne had spoken to both the Dockers players and the coaching staff about his ill-disciplined suspension that saw him miss the loss to the North Melbourne. According to Lyon, Ballantyne said: "I'm no good to you guys in the grandstand." The small forward proved that against West Coast. His energy, tenacity, pressure, and skill was invaluable to the Dockers. It wasn't just his two goals, he produced goal assists, laid tackles, and locked the football in the forward half. He also ran in-form Eagles defender Jamie Bennell ragged. If the Dockers are to be a force in September they need Ballantyne on the park and performing like he did in the derby.
2. The Pies' backline depth is scary
This season we have seen the rise of young key defender Jack Frost, who in the absence of Nathan Brown and Ben Reid has contained some of the game’s best forwards. On Friday night, the Pies’ backline took another hit with the late withdrawals of former skipper Nick Maxwell and Clinton Young. But the Magpies young defenders, Tom Langdon (seven games), Marley Williams (23) and Taylor Adams (35) all held their own, restricting the Blues to just two goals at three-quarter time. Langdon in particular was outstanding with 23 disposals (10 contested) at 91 per cent efficiency and was the Pies’ No.1 intercept player for the second straight week.- Nat Edwards
3. Hawks are even stronger with Schoenmakers
Ryan Schoenmakers made a strong return in his first senior game since rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament against Fremantle in round four last season. Starting up forward against St Kilda, he gave the Hawks a strong option in attack, taking six marks and kicking 4.1. His return to full fitness now gives Hawthorn frightening key-position depth. With Schoenmakers stationed in the forward 50 against the Saints, Jack Gunston roamed further up the ground but still finished with four goals. And when full-back Brian Lake went off with a calf injury early in the third term, Schoenmakers was able to get back and help out in his more customary position in defence.- Nick Bowen
4. Stay patient GWS fans, your team is still coming
We keep hearing how good Greater Western Sydney is going to be, but it would be understandable if the club's fans were wondering when that is going to happen. Through 51 games, the Giants are stuck on five victories, a winning return of less than 10 per cent. That's enough to test anyone's patience. On Saturday, GWS was a rank outsider against a powerful Port Adelaide outfit and a belting seemed on the cards. But the Giants fought all day, pulling within 20 points deep into the third term and winning the last quarter in a respectable 35-point loss. It will still take some time, but if fans keep the faith, it will be rewarded. - James Dampney
5. Chris Dawes might be Melbourne's most important player
The value of Chris Dawes has risen dramatically this season for Melbourne, given the injury to boom recruit Jesse Hogan and the retirement of Mitch Clark. The 25-year-old proved a massive target in attack for the Demons on Saturday night, pulling in three contested marks and booting three goals, but his contribution was felt higher up the ground too, with 20 possessions and four inside 50s to his name. The Demons' defensive game is now sound but up forward Dawes' form will prove crucial to their fate this year. - Harry Thring
6. The post-Jonathan Brown era could be scarier than the Lions thought
With the late withdrawal of the Lions' champion, we got a glimpse into what life would be like when Brown eventually hangs up the boots – it isn't good. In fairness to key forwards Daniel Merrett and Luke McGuane, both defenders for much of their careers, the ball wasn't going forward that much as the Swans' midfield outplayed the Lions. However, three marks in the forward 50 for an entire match just isn't going to cut it. Justin Leppitsch will be keen to give more exposure to Michael Close and Jackson Paine as the year goes on. If things continue the way they are, the Lions might also get first crack at a key forward in this year's AFL draft. - Michael Whiting
7. Cale Hooker is one of the most underrated defenders in the competition
Hooker might never be a player who wins the plaudits of others, but he should be getting more given his improvement over the last few seasons. This year, in particular, has seen the Bombers' centre half-back become the club's most reliable and consistent defender. He takes on good opponents, backs himself to win the contest, and is superior in the air to most forwards he lines up against. His sure hands and intercept marking has saved the Bombers on countless occasions this season and that was again the case in their win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night. Only two years ago the Bombers toyed with trading Hooker, but he wanted to stay at the club. He deserves some credit for the player he has become. - Callum Twomey
8. Gold Coast is ready to play finals
The Suns' arrival is imminent and playing finals for the first time now appears more likely than not this season. They reach the bye with a 5-2 record and they should be favoured to make that 7-2 with clashes against St Kilda (12th) and the Western Bulldogs (15th) to come. In a clash of fifth versus sixth on Sunday, Gold Coast dominated North Melbourne in the first quarter and withstood a rally to showcase their growing maturity. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the win was the form of tall trio Charlie Dixon, Tom Lynch and Sam Day in attack. Guy McKenna is keen to maintain that tall structure and it could prove an asset in September. - Nathan Schmook
9. Harry Taylor is a machine
Geelong's two-time All Australian defender was a cut above every other key position player on the ground in the Cats' hard-fought win over Richmond at the MCG on Sunday. With rain falling during much of the afternoon, only 10 contested marks were taken in the game, and the Tigers only managed two of them. Yet Taylor, using his guile and skill to perfection, took five contested marks himself, proving that he is not only a man who can play at both ends of the ground, but is also someone who can get the job done in all conditions.
