• Fantasy round review: The big guns deliver
• Around the state leagues: Report could delay Morabito return
1. Tex Walker's knee reconstruction hasn't robbed him of his ability
Any player returning from an injury as serious as a knee reconstruction may question whether they'll ever reach the heights they did prior to the injury. For someone as crucial to a side as Taylor Walker is to Adelaide, the question and, more importantly the answer, is of huge relevance. Thankfully for the Crows, Walker's first game back in the AFL since rupturing his ACL in round five last year suggested he was still capable of proving a real handful for opposition defences. He worked hard all of Thursday night, presented for his teammates and although he was unable to hit the scoreboard (booting 0.4), his seven-mark, 17-possession performance would have made sure coach Brenton Sanderson enjoyed his weekend. - Harry Thring
2. Nobody can stop the Swans
At their best, no team in the competition will be able to match the pure firepower of the Sydney Swans. Although Essendon was well off the pace on Friday night, it is hard to see any team stopping the Swans' forward line if they remain in form. Lance Franklin looked at his most brilliant best with four goals in the first half against the Bombers, while Kurt Tippett didn't have a great night but still kicked three goals on Cale Hooker. The scary thing is, at the moment, their 'big forward four' is just about Franklin and Tippett. If Sam Reid and Adam Goodes get going this year, the Swans should be there very deep into September. - Callum Twomey
WATCH: Buddy bags five on Friday night3. Robin Nahas has a role in the Roos' forward line
Substituted in his two previous games for North Melbourne, and named emergency twice this season, it's been hard for Robin Nahas to gain momentum this year. His chance should come, however, after a strong performance against the Brisbane Lions, perfectly complementing goalkicker Lindsay Thomas in attack. Nahas finished with 22 possessions, eight tackles and a team-high eight inside 50s against the Lions, quite rightly avoiding the red vest. The cream on top of a hard-working performance was a perfect bullet pass across his body to Thomas in the second quarter. – Nathan Schmook
4. Matera a handy foil for Suns talls
Gold Coast's three-pronged forward line of Tom Lynch, Sam Day and Charlie Dixon is set to stretch opposition defences for years to come. And in Brandon Matera the Suns have a dangerous small forward who looks capable of feasting on whatever crumbs the tall trio doesn't devour. Matera was outstanding against the Saints, kicking four goals and showcasing the innate goal sense only the best goalsneaks possess. The left-footer's best major came at the two-minute mark of the second quarter when he baulked veteran Saint Sean Dempster and converted in heavy congestion. - Nick Bowen
Brandon Matera feasted at the feet of Gold Coast's tall timber against the Saints. Picture: AFL Media
5. The 2014 Tigers are a shell of the 2013 ones
Of all games, this was the one the Tigers couldn't afford to put an error-riddled, non-committed performance in. After a week where they mourned and celebrated Tommy Hafey, they were expected to exemplify the hard-working and relentless traits of the late club great when they faced Melbourne. As coach Damien Hardwick said afterwards, the Tigers lost one-on-one contests all over the ground, which was something they were strong in last season. With only a few personnel changes – and the fact Ivan Maric is the only regular player now missing from the line up – it's hard to work out why the Tigers have fallen away so dramatically. - Jennifer Phelan
6. Geelong still can't beat Fremantle
The Dockers have now won four of the past five against the Cats including two massive finals victories. The only win Geelong had since its flag year of 2011 was at home last season against an undermanned Fremantle side. However, Geelong coach Chris Scott scoffed at talk that Fremantle now held a clear edge in the rivalry. "Have they? They have won the last two and we beat them by (41) points the time before that," Scott said after the match. - Dave Reed
WATCH: Pav celebrates 300 games in fine fashion
