It used to be Melbourne supporters who would gather at the players' race post match to get their frustrations off their chest. On Saturday, after the Demons' first win of the season, it was the Carlton faithful screaming for answers. Winless after four games for the first time in 25 years, you could argue the Blues are further away than any team from a premiership tilt, given the shape of their list. Senior players are on their way out and young talent is hard to identify. Coach Mick Malthouse wouldn't concede his team's season was in tatters, but it is now clear a long rebuild is required at Visy Park. - Nathan Schmook 

Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney played a straight bat when asked after Saturday's win how good his young midfielder Macrae could eventually become. McCartney essentially said it would depend on whether Macrae continued to have the right attitude to training and the right attack on the ball on match days. But you suspect McCartney would be more glowing about the 191cm 19-year-old when his media guard is down. Certainly, Macrae underlined against the Giants just how bright his future is, racking up 30 possessions in a polished display. It continued an outstanding start to 2014, in which Macrae has averaged 28 possessions over the first four rounds. - Nick Bowen

While many of his teammates have been rightfully lauded over the first month of the season, Mitchell again showed why he should be the opposition's No.1 target when playing the Hawks. When the heat was on in the first quarter, Mitchell had 11 touches and a clever 'over the back' goal after outsmarting his opponent, to set the tone for the premiers. Former teammate Campbell Brown said during the week the Suns should look to nullify the speed of Isaac Smith and Brad Hill – who were super with 24 and 23 touches respectively – but again it was the 31-year-old proving the catalyst for much of the Hawks' run. Mitchell ended with team highs in both disposals (36) and clearances (six) as he roamed from everywhere from half-back to the midfield to half-forward. - Michael Whiting

Throughout his four previous seasons on North Melbourne's list, Cunnington has shown patches of his ability without being able to display the consistency required. But at the age of 22, he appears to be finding his place as a significant contributor. With Jack Ziebell and Andrew Swallow missing, Cunnington has elevated his game to a new level and was close to best on ground in North's impressive win over the Swans. Grabbing a team-high 30 touches, no less than 20 of them contested, he was the game's standout midfielder in the wet. He also added 11 clearances and 10 tackles in an outstanding afternoon's work that would have delighted coach Brad Scott. - James Dampney

Essendon named 25 players on Thursday night and confirmed an unchanged line-up on Friday. Dustin Fletcher and Paul Chapman did not fly west, meaning only 23 travelled and were available to choose from. Those 23 became 22 when David Myers fell ill on Sunday morning, and when Brendon Goddard got injured during the warm-up, Essendon had no option but to play him because there was no extra emergency. Fremantle named Alex Silvagni without sending him to Melbourne the week before and an injury to Garrick Ibbotson early left the Dockers structurally exposed having previously flown all 25 for a Friday night match. In the modern age, with full-time scouts, smart phones and Twitter, perhaps teams are only outsmarting themselves by creating smoke screens with selection. - Alex Malcolm

In a game where Adelaide needed to make a statement and Patrick Dangerfield's usual influence was curbed, the Crows needed someone to stand up alongside Scott Thompson and Rory Sloane and make an impact through the midfield. Brodie Smith, who was mainly used across half-back last year and lined up there again on Sunday against St Kilda, showed he has the potential to become an elite midfielder with a commanding 29-possession and 12-mark game. The 22-year-old was a key element as the Crows built a 44-point half-time lead. All game, he was significant in their outside dominance that led to the lopsided uncontested possession count of 291 to 205. - Jennifer Phelan