• Forecast the final eight with the 2014 ladder predictor
• Fantasy round review: A forward-line stacked with Swans? You could do worse
• Around the state leagues: Reid unscathed in VFL hit-out
1. An average night's work for Josh Kennedy is still elite
Josh Kennedy seemed slightly off his game against Carlton on Saturday night but he still ended the match with a career-best 41 touches, plus 12 clearances, five tackles and five inside 50s. He also racked up 29 contested possessions, beating former teammate Jude Bolton's previous mark of 28. Even if his 58.5 per cent efficiency took some minor gloss off his performance, only a very harsh judge could argue he wasn't the best player on the ground. With Gary Ablett now sidelined for the season, you could do far worse than back the ultra-consistent Swan as a Brownlow Medal chance. - James Dampney
WATCH: Showreel - Swans' sizzling third term2. Dream finals run beckons for Dockers
Port Adelaide's third loss in four matches has opened the door for Fremantle to swoop on a top-two spot and the accompanying lure of a double chance and two home finals. Both Hawthorn and Port Adelaide have experienced hiccups recently but the Dockers continue to win, the latest a professional display against GWS. With matches against St Kilda and Carlton coming up the Dockers could consolidate their place in the top two. They have won 25 of their past 27 at Patersons Stadium, including the preliminary final against the Sydney Swans last year. If they don't have leave Perth in early September, the Dockers will perfectly placed to reach another Grand Final. - Alex Malcolm
3. The Saints can count on David Armitage
Given Alan Richardson concedes his side has 'many issues' at present, he may also admit he could do with 'many' clones of Armitage to help drag St Kilda out of its current predicament. As several of his young teammates struggled to make any impact on the game against North Melbourne, Armitage racked up 30 possessions and two goals to lead all Saints on both counts. What's more, he did an extraordinary amount of heavy lifting around the contest, registering 11 tackles and 10 clearances to go with eight forward entries for the day. It’s no secret the Saints are going through a difficult rebuild in 2014, but on this kind of form at least they can look to 26-year-old Armitage as an inspirational leader for the next generation. - Stu Warren
4. The Dogs' best is tremendous, their worst is awful
Brendan McCartney's side produced a performance full of ups and downs when it beat Gold Coast in Cairns on Saturday. The Bulldogs' five-goal first quarter was one for the ages, with the passage of play that included one-handed marks by Marcus Bontempelli and Jake Stringer, and a great dribbling goal by Luke Dahlhaus, proving particularly eye-catching. Yet the Dogs then failed to kick a goal with the wind in the second quarter. During that stanza their skills vanished and they seemed unable to hit the side of a barn with hand or foot. But their final quarter effort, in which they put the Suns to the sword with six goals to two, was breathtaking. It was a showcase of the talents of gun youngsters like Bontempell, Nathan Hrovat and Jack Macrae, who became the youngest player to crack the 40-disposal mark. Once McCartney's men work out a way to limit their lapses, they will become a seriously good team. - Adam McNicol
WATCH: Showreel - Macrae's monster game5. Opposition teams have done their homework on Port
When Port Adelaide is up and firing, Jared Polec and Justin Westhoff are the two players leading the charge. Richmond knew that and planned accordingly. The Tigers sent their best run-with player, Dan Jackson, to Polec with one task – shutting down his damaging outside run. It worked a treat, as Jackson kept Polec to 18 disposals (down on his season average of 21). Troy Chaplin did a splendid job on Westhoff, holding the dangerous Power forward to 14 disposals, four marks and no goals. Look for more teams to put major work into stopping Port's two barometers as the season progresses. - Ben Guthrie
6. Watch out, the Eagles have a new marking forward
In just seven senior games, powerful West Coast forward Jeremy McGovern is turning heads. Against the Lions on Saturday night, his stats were nothing extraordinary – 12 disposals, seven marks and two goals – but again he was a major influence on the Eagles' victory. Without suspended spearhead Josh Kennedy, McGovern was a constant menace in the forward half with his strong marking, and showed an ability to drift back and impact at the defensive end with the game on the line. His chase-down tackle of Claye Beams in the second quarter was also a highlight. The son of former Fremantle and Sydney Swans defender Andrew, McGovern has served a solid apprenticeship with three years on the rookie list. He is quickly becoming one of the best marks in the league, and leads the competition in contested marks with 3.1 a game. - Michael Whiting
7. Hawthorn is still a genuine flag contender
A loss to Adelaide on Friday night could have seen the Hawks slip from the top four, but like a great side they performed on enemy soil without a host of important players. Bradley Hill, Brad Sewell, Josh Gibson, David Hale, Brian Lake and Cyril Rioli were among those missing on Friday night who played in last year's premiership. Hawthorn's impressive depth has it well placed for an assault on September and with the return of its stars will prove a serious challenge for any opposition. - Harry Thring
WATCH: Adelaide v Hawthorn - match highlights8. Carlisle enjoys a loose rein
Jake Carlisle has had a challenging year by his lofty standards. Switched from defence to attack at the start of this season, the 22-year-old tall struggled for consistency early in the year, finding it hard to get into games under the close attention of opposition defenders. However, Carlisle's form has been steadily improving in recent weeks and against Collingwood on Sunday he reminded us of what a rare talent he is. With a licence to push back into defence when Essendon needed numbers behind the ball, Carlisle starred at both ends of the ground against the Pies. He finished with a career-high four goals and 19 – yes, 19 – marks, eight of them contested. We suspect Carlisle's licence to roam could become a permanent thing. – Nick Bowen
WATCH: Record-breaking Jake demolishes Pies9. Big Cat looms large for September
There's a fair degree of uncertainty about what Geelong will achieve this season, but ruckman Hamish McIntosh should have a big influence on the outcome. It's been easy to forget how dominant McIntosh can be during the past three injury-interrupted seasons. However, he provided a timely reminder as the standout big man against Melbourne with 20 touches, 26 hit-outs and a goal. McIntosh enjoyed the responsibility with Dawson Simpson out of the side, but how well the two combine could be telling come September. – Travis King
