1. Stevie J might have convinced Boomer to play on
Brent Harvey bid what could have been a sad farewell to North Melbourne fans on Saturday night, and it would seem unlikely at this stage he would play on at another club in 2017. But watching him zip around Etihad Stadium, using the ball as well as anyone and kicking two goals, it seems so wrong that the AFL games record holder will be finished before he's ready. That's where Steve Johnson comes in. The former Geelong champ gave the best advertisement possible for Harvey to play on elsewhere next year. Delisted by the Cats last year after 253 games, three premierships and a Norm Smith Medal, Johnson felt he had more to give and so he headed north. He was a star against the Kangaroos with four goals, he's kicked 43 this year, and who's to say he won't be playing in a fourth premiership? Johnson will always be remembered for his feats in navy hoops, but watching him snap miracle goals in an orange and charcoal jumper is no less joyful for neutrals who love what he brings to the game. – Nathan Schmook

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2. Adelaide's midfield exposed without Sloane
The Crows may look back and wonder whether they should have challenged the one-game ban handed out to the former Brownlow Medal contender. If they had and lost, Rory Sloane would be a spectator for Adelaide's first finals game. But if the appeal had succeeded, they may have secured a top-two spot. Based on what we saw against West Coast on Friday night, the Crows lack leg speed from the rest of their midfield contingent. The Eagles ran the Crows off their feet and capitalised on a host of turnovers. Matt Crouch had 29 possessions and veteran Scott Thompson had 23, but the Crows had no answer for Andrew Gaff (a career-high 41 touches), Matt Priddis (33), Luke Shuey (31) and Dom Sheed (30). Sloane's impact this season cannot be under-estimated. He's the leader of the Crows' midfield and everything starts and stops with him. The Crows will be hoping he can spark them back into action and prevent a quick exit from the finals. - Lee Gaskin

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3. Dangerfield is the key
Two results in two states within 20 hours showed how important Patrick Dangerfield's decision to return home from Adelaide to play with Geelong has been for the team's fortunes this season. He was superb again on Saturday, shortening as Brownlow medal favourite with 16 inside 50s, 10 clearances and 32 disposals. He has led the Cats into a top-two spot, while his former club, the Crows, who have been brilliant all year blew their chance to guarantee a top-four spot on Friday night. - Peter Ryan

4. Essendon has unearthed serious talent in 2016
The Bombers' campaign this year has to be the most fruitful three-win season in the competition's history. Clearly the circumstances are unprecedented, but Essendon has managed to make great inroads and learn plenty about its youngsters in a season that could have been wasted. On Saturday the flair of youth was on show against Carlton, with most of Essendon's best players at the younger end. Zach Merrett continued his sparkling form this season and is on track for his first best and fairest award, while Joe Daniher's five-goal haul had shades of a young Lance Franklin. Then there was second-year pair Jayden Laverde and Kyle Langford (three goals) in attack, while first-year sensations Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (four goals) and Darcy Parish (23 disposals) were also excellent. All of these players are in Essendon's starting side next year when the suspended players return, plus they have Aaron Francis waiting in the wings. There are brighter times ahead, which showed in the Bombers' 24-point win over Carlton. - Callum Twomey

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5. The Pies might have discovered how to beat Hawthorn
Hawthorn's defenders have been so good for so long at sagging off their opponents and flying in marking contests as the third-man up. But in the last two weeks that tactic has been severely nullified. West Coast did a brilliant job of isolating the Hawks' tall defenders, taking 18 contested marks to Hawthorn's two in their 25-point win in the west last week. The Magpies followed suit at the MCG on Sunday easily outpointing the Hawks in contested marks (12-5) despite losing the game. It is a trend first-up finals opponent Geelong will be tracking intently. With Tom Hawkins, Rhys Stanley, Zac Smith and even Harry Taylor all able to do damage in the air, the Cats will no doubt look to find ways to isolate their forwards in marking contests and make Hawthorn's defenders nervous. - Ben Guthrie

6. There's life after Jaeger
When a highly rated player like Jaeger O'Meara wants out of your club, you have to look for positives, and Gold Coast has genuine reason for optimism after the performance of Brayden Fiorini. The No.20 pick from last year's draft has been hampered by injury for much of the season, and Suns coach Rodney Eade admitted he was reluctant to debut him against Collingwood last week. But the wiry teenager excelled against Port, kicking two goals and notching team highs in both disposals (32) and tackles (11). Fiorini is a ball hunter and has already shown he is a genuine AFL midfielder and will push for a spot in round one next season. - Michael Whiting

7. The Swans could not be in better shape heading into September
John Longmire's side was decimated by the loss of key players for last year's finals series, but they have no such worries in 2016, and are perfectly placed to turn the third minor premiership won in Sydney, into a flag for the first time in history. Superstar goalkicker Lance Franklin heads a potent and dynamic forward line, while the midfield is the most prolific in the competition, and the defence simply refuses to give up scores, conceding less than 67 points per game to be the best in the League this season. With gun ruckman Kurt Tippett working his way back to full match fitness, NAB AFL Rising Star favourite Callum Mills to return for the qualifying final, the likes of Ted Richards, Jeremy Laidler, Dean Towers and Toby Nankervis waiting in the wings, plus Callum Sinclair and Zak Jones a chance to get back from injury in the next 2-3 weeks, the Swans' options run deep. It's a stark contrast to 12 months ago, and a scary proposition for the other contenders. - Adam Curley

• Who staked their finals claim in this weekend's state leagues? 

8. Roo is ready for 2017
Nick Riewoldt seems to have been carrying a battle-scarred body for so long it's hard to remember him when he didn't have dodgy knees. The St Kilda captain can't train like he used to but his coach Alan Richardson paid tribute to the professionalism he shows in managing his body after the Saints' 58-point win over the Brisbane Lions. No doubt that professionalism enabled Riewoldt to turn back the clock to produce one of the best games of his career against the Lions. The Saints great kicked a career-high nine goals (equal) and 21 marks to be a standout best on ground. It's the sort of form that suggests the 33-year-old will continue to be – at the very least – an extremely handy contributor for St Kilda in 2017. Wonky knees and all. - Nick Bowen

9. The Dogs must improve their field kicking to upset the Eagles
The Bulldogs are depleted by injury heading into the finals but their competitiveness around the contest will not waver in September. But if they want to beat West Coast in an elimination final in Perth they must improve their kicking efficiency. The Eagles' web is back in full force and if the Bulldogs deliver another dismal display of field kicking like they did against the Dockers they will get picked off. The Bulldogs went at 46 per cent for much of the afternoon against the Dockers and were fortunate the home side didn't punish them further. - Alex Malcolm