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1. Lewis Taylor must tackle his way back to form
It is hard to find an excuse for Brisbane Lions forward Lewis Taylor, who failed to lay a tackle on Saturday in a game that saw him play midfield and forward and in which Richmond won 50 more possessions than his team. A small forward in his purest form, pressure should be a key part of his game, but he was one of just three Lions with a 'donut' in the key statistical category. Taylor has talent and was the NAB AFL Rising Star in 2014. But less talented players who have an appetite for defensive pressure would be picked ahead of him in more successful teams. The 21-year-old, who is in contract talks with the Lions, is working as hard as anyone at the club on his tackling technique, Justin Leppitsch said. The coach would be desperate to see results soon, with Taylor averaging less than two tackles a game this season. - Nathan Schmook

2. The season can't end quickly enough for Fremantle
It has been an astonishing fall down the ladder for the Dockers this year after being last season's minor premiers. There have been some mitigating factors, namely the injury-enforced absence of Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe, recruit Harley Bennell and key ruckman Aaron Sandilands, but even coach Ross Lyon isn't falling back on the health of his list as an excuse. Friday night's insipid showing against Collingwood at the MCG must go down as nearly the low point of a horror year where nearly everything has gone wrong. The Dockers have at least given more games and experience to youngsters Lachie Weller, Connor Blakely and Darcy Tucker, but this is a season that cannot end quickly enough for the club. An early draft pick, the likely acquisition of Cam McCarthy and the return of key players from injury should make for a much improved 2017 campaign. - Callum Twomey 

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3. Geelong is far too reliant on Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood
The Cats' two superstars deserved all the praise that came their way as they led consecutive impressive wins over finals rivals Greater Western Sydney, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs. But Saturday night's loss to St Kilda might have exposed the Cats' underbelly, because with the two champion midfielders unable to exert their usual influence, Geelong looked vulnerable. Dangerfield (29 disposals, nine clearances, one goal) and Selwood (29, five clearances) still did everything they could to lift their underperforming side, but they were nullified by the Saints' red-hot pressure and not enough teammates stepped up in support. Steven Motlop's form slump continued, while Andrew Mackie, Daniel Menzel, Shane Kersten, Tom Hawkins and Cory Gregson were all down. Coach Chris Scott has plenty to mull over on the week off. - Travis King 

4. There are too many Crows forwards to shut down
The scary thing about Adelaide's 33-point win over North Melbourne on Thursday night was the fact none of its forwards really fired. Despite this, the Crows amassed 40 scoring shots on a slippery night at Adelaide Oval in another display of their serious firepower. Those 40 scoring shots came from 59 inside 50 entries. Every time Adelaide went forward it looked like kicking a goal, even though it only finished with 12, to go with a club-record 28 behinds. Tom Lynch was among the Crows' best players but the rest of Adelaide's star forwards were solid, but not brilliant. Despite this, their collective influence was too much for North, who wilted in the final term. The lesson from this is simple: if Adelaide's forward line continues to get reasonable supply, there's too much talent to shut down, even on an off night. - Kym Morgan

5. Phil Davis injury opens another door for Adam Tomlinson
A calf problem for the Giants co-captain and most important key defender is less than ideal for coach Leon Cameron, and he should look no further for a replacement than Tomlinson. The 22-year-old has played just four games this season despite his outstanding NEAFL form and some solid games at senior level, but has been dropped three times and needs to be given an opportunity. Jon Patton, who has gone back at various stages this year, replaced Davis in defence against Carlton and didn’t look out of his depth, so Tomlinson is the perfect man to come into the side should Davis miss a game or two after next week's bye. The athletic big man can play in defence to allow Patton to resume his place in the forward 50, but can also play as a lead-up forward target, which is just about the only piece of the puzzle GWS have been missing this season. Tomlinson's versatility is his biggest asset and should be used as a major weapon for the Giants. - Adam Curley

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6. Hawthorn still needs Luke Hodge
The Hawks might be in a remarkable position heading into the bye, and their best football might still be ahead of them, but they need their skipper. When the team was struggling a little in the third quarter, Hodge went back into defence and began marshalling his team. In that premiership quarter he had 11 disposals and began to impose himself on the game. Along with the ever-reliable Sam Mitchell, he remains Hawthorn's most important cog as the Hawks aim for four straight flags. - Peter Ryan