1. Dees can't handle the heat
With their slim finals hopes still alive thanks to yet another North Melbourne loss, the Demons had so much to play for on Sunday. Their form line, three wins on the trot, said they should be favourites for the clash against Carlton, but despite that, the Melbourne faithful were nervous. They knew all too well that when the pressure is on, the Dees were all too likely to crumble. Sunday's game was the perfect chance for Melbourne to shake off the tag – and their Demons – but they faltered at the start line and couldn't recover, with the loss to Carlton killing off their finals hopes and cementing the Roos' place in the top eight. - Nat Edwards

2. The Dogs' depleted defence might be tested by the loss of another general
Acting captain Easton Wood falling to the ground and clutching the back of his left ankle was the last thing Western Bulldogs fans wanted to see two games before finals. The Bulldogs' defence has resembled a casualty ward this season, but losing Wood would be a hammer blow to an inexperienced backline already missing skipper Bob Murphy (ACL) marshaling the troops, especially if it robbed the Dogs of his intercept marking in a potential final against West Coast's potent forward line. Meanwhile, superboot Matthew Suckling is still being troubled by an Achilles issue, and missed the win over Essendon – his third game on the sidelines in the past month – while Dale Morris (hamstring) and Marcus Adams (foot) are still working their way back. The Dogs' medical staff will again be working overtime in the coming weeks. - Travis King 

3. Cats find another gem with Menegola in the middle
As if Geelong doesn't already have a strong enough midfield with Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Cam Guthrie and co, it might just have found another one in Sam Menegola. Now at his third club after stints at Hawthorn (2011) and Fremantle (2012-2014), the 24-year-old finally made his debut five weeks ago and has not looked back. Along with Dangerfield, he was arguably best afield against the Lions with his 33 disposals (15 contested) and eight clearances. "He's a big midfielder, he's an elite runner, really strong over the ball so the signs are good he's going to add something to our midfield mix," coach Chris Scott said. Menegola looks a perfect foil for his higher profile stars on the eve of the finals. - Michael Whiting

4. West Coast can dominate the contest
Contested possession is not a definitive indicator of success for the Eagles but it is an indicator of intent, and they have suffered some humiliating contested possession discrepancies in the last 12 months. They were -16 against the Hawks in the 2015 Grand Final loss, -25 in round two loss against the same opponents, -39 in the round 11 loss to the Western Bulldogs and -34 in the round 19 loss to Collingwood. But they smashed the Hawks in the contest on Friday night. They won the overall count by 45 and dominated the aerial battle with 18 contested marks to two. They will be tough to beat if they deliver that kind of intent in September. - Alex Malcolm

• After the siren: How will the Eagles and Hawks cope?

5. Jeremy Howe has been one of the most successful trades of 2016
hen Jeremy Howe crossed from Melbourne to Collingwood at the end of last season, the high-flyer was eyeing a permanent place as a wingman and half-forward. The lure of a defined role was part of his reasoning behind the shift in clubs. But Howe has struck his best form as a Magpie – and perhaps in his career – playing in defence for Collingwood. The move to the Pies’ backline around mid-year has proven to be an excellent call from coach Nathan Buckley. Howe’s anticipation, leap and closing speed make him a very dangerous defender, and on Saturday night he was excellent again in the Pies' win over the Gold Coast. He gathered 29 disposals and a career-high 18 marks – including two trademark screamers. His teammate Adam Treloar and Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield are widely hailed as the best traded-in players of this year, but Howe’s shift to the backline has put him not far behind. - Callum Twomey

6. Blake Acres is ready for a breakout 2017
There has been a common theme to St Kilda's past month and it will please coach Alan Richardson greatly. Blake Acres has won 20-plus possessions each week – after achieving that mark four times in his previous 21 games – and his class is becoming more evident with every touch of the footy. The 20-year-old was among the Saints' best three players on Saturday, finishing with 26 possessions and five inside 50s. He also laid a team-high seven tackles, throwing around his 191cm frame in an indication he is completely at home in an AFL midfield. A first-round pick in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft (No.19), Acres was slow to get going as he battled quad, ankle, foot and hand injuries. But he has played every game this year at some level and the Saints will be excited about what 2017 has in store for the young Western Australian. – Nathan Schmook

7. Tarrant is more important now than ever
Given he's touted as a potential All Australian defender in 2016, it should be no surprise that Robbie Tarrant looms as a key player as North again approaches September action. And following his rock-solid performance at the heart of the Kangaroos’ defence, combined with another injury to Scott Thompson, Tarrant’s importance to the Shinboners can scarcely be understated. To secure their passage to the finals without having to rely on other results going their way, the Roos must beat GWS next weekend and with the Giants boasting some of the most talented young key forwards in the game, North are going to need another big effort from Tarrant to cap his breakout season. - Stu Warren

• Around the state leagues: Who fired for your club's twos?

8. Crouch jnr is quickly emerging as an elite midfielder 
Older brother Brad has dominated the headlines recently at the Crows, but younger sibling Matt Crouch is also a star. Matt turned in a brilliant display to claim his first Showdown Medal in Saturday night's 15-point win against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Not only does Matt find plenty of the ball, but he makes an impact when he uses it. He'll play an important role in the finals especially with opposition teams deciding who out of himself, Rory Sloane or Brad Crouch they decide to tag. - Lee Gaskin

9. Healthy Giants trio could be the key to their premiership hopes
Injuries can cripple a team comes finals time but GWS coach Leon Cameron almost has his full list to pick from, and three players in particular look primed for a big September. Veteran Ryan Griffen has missed nine games this season with back and hamstring issues, but his dominant performance against Fremantle was his best of the year, while defender Nick Haynes didn't make an appearance until round six due to off-season groin surgery, but has now played 15 games in a row, and was outstanding against the Dockers with 21 touches and 13 marks. Former number one draft pick Lachie Whitfield missed three games after a bad bout of tonsillitis ahead of round 17, but he also has responded well and had 26 possessions in his third game back against the Dockers. There might be bigger names at GWS but a fit and firing Griffen, Haynes and Whitfield, is vital for the Giants' flag chances. - Adam Curley 

• The run home: Predicting the week one finals match-ups