1. Jeff Garlett is edging into the conversation as the game's best small forward
Yes, there's Eddie Betts and even Toby Greene and Robbie Gray if you want to stretch your definition, but Jeff Garlett hammered home another example of why he's in the chat as the best small forward in the league. Garlett was named in the 40-man All Australian squad last season and looks capable of going a step further in 2018. Against Brisbane on Saturday night, not only did he kick four goals and assist with two others, but when the game was up for grabs, the 28-year-old was at his most lethal. After Melbourne conceded seven straight goals to surrender a 42-point lead, Garlett eased their nerves with a brilliant roving snap and goal midway through the final term, then two minutes later gave them breathing space with his final major. Watch out, Eddie. - Michael Whiting

2. The Crows' midfield depth is better than anyone expected
When All Australian on-baller Matt Crouch went down in the second quarter, depleting a midfield already missing older brother Brad and Curtly Hampton, the Crows had every right to get smashed at the contest. But they did the opposite in their 36-point win over Richmond in the Grand Final rematch on Thursday night. We know all about Bryce Gibbs, so his 20 contested possessions weren't a total shock, but Hugh Greenwood continues to impress with 19 contested and eight clearances, Rory Sloane, with a bad foot, had 15 and Cam Ellis-Yolmen – fighting for his career after a torn ACL last year – had 13 contested and 28 in total, and Paul Seedsman had 11 contested, and also 28 in total. Overall, the Crows won the contested possession count 192-145. Having a dominant ruckman like Sam Jacobs helps, but the Crows stood up when it counted. - Lee Gaskin

• Around the state leagues: Big Roo, dropped Blue impress

3. Luke Davies-Uniacke is going to be a star
Coaches are looking for little moments from young players in the early stages of their careers and North coach Brad Scott saw what he wanted to from Luke Davies-Uniacke on Friday: "Luke Davies-Uniacke showed that he's going to be a very good player," Scott said in his post-match press conference. The Roos' top pick from last year's draft (No.4 overall) was particularly influential in the third term as North got the jump on the Saints, cracking in at the contest and making his presence felt. In his second AFL game, Davies-Uniacke finished with 16 disposals, four clearances and five tackles. The midfielder thrives on his work in the contest and showed for Vic Country last year that he can also push forward and take a mark or two. With North Melbourne expected to be in a rebuilding phase over the coming years, fans can take great heart from what Davies-Uniacke is going to become once he gets a few more games under his belt. - Ben Guthrie

4. Fun for the Suns with a simple mantra paying off – again
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew had a basic message for his players before Saturday's game at Etihad Stadium; to enjoy the experience of playing in Melbourne because they don't get to do it very often. The Suns showed plenty of positive elements in their 34-point over Carlton with Tom Lynch booting eight goals, their off-the-charts tackling pressure (93 to 67 tackles) emphasising their intent, and a host of midfielders including Jarryd Lyons and David Swallow taking the game on, but the most important observation was the fact they seemed to thrive on playing for each other. We love a good fairytale and this is very premature, but we all know what the simple mantra of "have fun" did for the Tigers last year. ­­- Jennifer Phelan

5. Jarman Impey might end up the most underrated pick up of the year
The former Port Adelaide defender sought a trade back to Victoria at the end of last season and the Hawks were keen to add his hard edge to their line-up. In what has been a brief snapshot so far, Impey has brought that and plenty more. He was a firestarter for Hawthorn on Monday against the Cats, kicking two goals from 16 disposals. He also set up an important major for Jack Gunston with a classy kick while on the run in the second term. Impey has joined forces with Luke Breust, Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo to form one of the most dangerous sets of small forwards in the competition – a group who lays tackles and puts on pressure as well as they finish off their good work in front of goal. Impey wasn't at his best last year for Port Adelaide, but two games in at the Hawks and he looks to have his groove back. - Callum Twomey

• Fantasy form watch: Unloved Blue goes big

6. The rebuilding Dockers are back on the right track
There was an all too familiar feeling about Fremantle's season-opening 50-point thumping from Port Adelaide, but another injection of youth, vastly improved kicking and a more attacking style against Essendon showed the Dockers are back on the right path. Two more debutants came into the line-up at the expense of experienced campaigners on Saturday night and while Mitch Crowden competed, Adam Cerra was hugely impressive as he booted two goals in a classy display. He could be the pick of the past two draft crops for Freo. Meanwhile, No.2 pick Andrew Brayshaw has the poise of a veteran, while rookie Bailey Banfield looks capable of playing every week. The even better news for Freo is there is still plenty in reserve at Peel, with Sean Darcy, Brennan Cox, Tom North and Hugh Dixon just some of the talent coming through the ranks. As coach Ross Lyon said post-match, if Freo's senior players can stand up then the kids will find their feet quicker and there is no reason the Dockers can't take a significant step forward this season. - Travis King

7. Coniglio a Giant star in own right
Stephen Coniglio doesn't enjoy the same high profile as fellow GWS midfielders Callan Ward, Josh Kelly and Dylan Shiel, but the West Australian showed against Collingwood he is just as important to the Giants. When the Magpies threatened to run away with the game early in the final quarter, it was Coniglio who stood up, kicking two goals in a minute – the second via a strong contested mark over Tom Langdon – to put GWS back in front for good. The Giants' vice-captain had been outstanding all day and finished with 27 disposals, seven clearances and three goals. The 24-year-old is a complete midfielder, someone Leon Cameron can rely on to work equally hard offensively and defensively. He will attract significant rival interest if he becomes a free agent at the end of next season, but GWS will be looking to extend his tenure beyond 2019 this year. - Nick Bowen

8. No senior coach, no worries
No one is suggesting the senior coach is dispensable. They deserve the big bucks for taking the heat and scrutiny with their pre-season planning, player selection, culture and, ultimately, the results during a season. But once again West Coast emphasised that the leader can go missing on gameday and, frankly, he's not missed. As the Eagles' stand-in Jaymie Graham said, the players were well aware of all relevant details of Adam Simpson's plans formulated during the week and simply executed them almost to the letter to set up the 51-point win over the Dogs. The late reshuffle in the coach's box emphasised the importance of on-field direction from the opening bounce. Skipper Shannon Hurn set the standard with a 10-possessions first quarter and finished with 29 disposals in a near flawless rebounding role. Like Brendon Bolton's 5-0 record when Alastair Clarkson was ill mid-season in 2014, the boss would've been pleased. - Bruce Matthews

9. Port can cope until Paddy Ryder returns
There's no doubt the Power are weakened by the loss of their number one ruckman with an Achilles issue, but Charlie Dixon and Justin Westhoff showed against the Swans that they can keep their side more than just competitive in the West Australian's absence. Dixon's physicality had a massive impact on the game in Sydney and with only Callum Sinclair as opposition, along with makeshift back-up Dean Towers, his work in tandem with the athletic Westhoff wore down the Swans. Ryder is a walk-up start when he's fit and ready to play, and Port's big men might find it tougher against the competition's best like Nic Naitanui, Max Gawn, Brodie Grundy or Ben McEvoy, but Dixon's bulk and aggression and Westhoff's versatility will keep them in the contest. Dixon playing up the ground also leaves the Power with a smaller forward line which gives Chad Wingard, Travis Boak, Steven Motlop, Jack Watts and Robbie Gray more space to create havoc inside 50. - Adam Curley

WATCH: Dixon's huge presence in Ryder absence