1. Dangerfield is not the only Geelong recruiting gem
For obvious reasons, superstar midfielder Patrick Dangerfield is having an indelible impact on the progression of Geelong's next premiership assault. But the Brownlow medallist is not the only player from another club to come in and have a sizeable influence at Geelong. Smart recruiting and an awareness of how to replenish a list that is considered to still be in the premiership window has seen the Cats add experienced recruits Zac Smith (Gold Coast), Lachie Henderson (Carlton), Scott Selwood (West Coast) and Zach Tuohy (Carlton) over the last two seasons. All three have been able to fill significant roles and create greater depth in positions that may have been considered flimsy in the past. The astute selection of mature-aged defender Tom Stewart is also paying dividends, with the local Geelong VFL product playing every game in an impressive debut season. The performances of Dangerfield and Joel Selwood still hold the key to Geelong's flag hopes, but it will also take important contributions from the Cats' underbelly to help Geelong advance deep into September. – Ben Guthrie

2. The 'replacements' have helped put the Giants in prime position
Much has been made of the GWS injury list and rightly so, with Stephen Coniglio, Nick Haynes, Devon Smith, Ryan Griffen and Jacob Hopper all missing big chunks of footy, Brett Deledio still not on the park, Matt Buntine and Adam Kennedy done for the year, and Steve Johnson and Rory Lobb sore in recent weeks. But as bad as it has been for the Giants, they're 9-2 and are clear on top of the ladder heading into next week's clash with Carlton, their last match before the bye. While the big guns have been missing, the back ups have been fantastic – players such as Sam Reid, Matthew Kennedy, Daniel Lloyd, Harry Himmelberg, Matt de Boer and Harry Perryman have all been important in filling roles wherever coach Leon Cameron has played them, and sometimes that's meant playing out of position. They're not in the club's best 22 and will likely be sent back to the NEAFL over the next month when Cameron's stars filter back into the side, but the depth players have shown they're up to it if called on again, and by not allowing the team to succumb to the injury bug, they've proved invaluable to the Giants' premiership tilt. - Adam Curley

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3. Power forward shrugs off criticism in best way possible
If there was any doubt about Charlie Dixon's contribution to Port Adelaide, he put those fears to rest with a stunning performance against Hawthorn. Dixon's first quarter was as good as you'd see, booting a couple goals, taking some strong contested marks and giving veteran Josh Gibson plenty of nightmares. The former Gold Coast spearhead finished with four goals and had strong claims for the three Brownlow Medal votes in the Power's 51-point victory. Dixon copped plenty of flak for taking more than 30 seconds to have his shot at goal against Geelong the week before, but overall he has been in career-best form for the Power this season. He's leading the League in contested marks and in the top-15 in goals (24 in 10 games) and goal assists (nine). Dixon is showing why the Power were so keen to lure him away from the Suns with a five-year deal at the end of 2015. - Lee Gaskin

4. Collingwood's inaccuracy could still be a coach killer
After starting the campaign 2-6, Collingwood had almost no room to manoeuvre to mount any sort of challenge to play finals, but came to Perth on the back of consecutive wins and with the chance to move to within a win of the top eight. The Pies dominated the Dockers for long periods, controlling clearances in Aaron Sandilands' absence, commanding possessions and supplying their forwards with bountiful opportunities to hit the scoreboard. Yet the Magpies couldn't put Freo away. Collingwood booted 3.5 – with one shot out on the full – in the opening term and only led by 10 points. Only a third-quarter cameo from Jamie Elliott, in which he booted three straight goals, steadied the ship and the undermanned Pies held on for a famous win that keeps them in the finals hunt. However, they remain ranked 17th for goalkicking accuracy and they must stop shooting themselves in the foot to keep their September dream – and potentially their coach's job – intact.  - Travis King

5. There is more than one Tiger star in defence
You could be forgiven for thinking the Richmond backline is a solo act, such is the praise for three-time Virgin Australia AFL All Australian Alex Rance. But too often overlooked is the pivotal role David Astbury plays to enable his fellow Tigers defender to take risks, attack and roam further afield. Astbury, rather than Rance, usually takes the opposition's No.1 tall forward, although the Kangaroos posed a dual test on Saturday night with Ben Brown and Jarrad Waite. Rance went to Brown, while Astbury took ex-Blue Waite. The results were spectacular by night's end, with the Richmond duo keeping each forward to 12 touches and just one goal. Worth noting was Astbury won more of the ball than Rance – 20 disposals to 14 – to prove his once-maligned offensive game is coming along just as well. - Marc McGowan

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6. The Suns have unearthed a tall defender
Prior to the season one of the biggest question marks on Gold Coast's list was its lack of tall defenders. When swingman Sam Day went down in the pre-season, they were even more exposed. But then Jack Leslie walked in. Leslie, 22, is in his fourth season at the club and has made incredible strides this season. Playing in place of injured Rory Thompson, Leslie manned West Coast's Jack Darling for much of Saturday's game and kept him goalless. Standing alongside co-captain Steven May, he's looking more comfortable each week, so much so that coach Rodney Eade says he'll keep his spot even when Thompson is available again. - Michael Whiting