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• Fantasy round review: Every call matters
• Around the state leagues: Big Roo rising
1. It's good for football when Richmond is in the finals race
Six weeks ago, the Tigers' season looked done and dusted after their fourth straight loss. Now, they've won their last five and are knocking on the door of the eight, which has set up a blockbuster clash with Essendon next Friday night. For the finals-starved Richmond fans, the fact they remain a mathematical chance is a significant feat with four rounds remaining and will no doubt boost the interest in Friday night's game. The Tiger Army is one of the more passionate ones – demonstrated when recently retired forward Jake King chose to sit in the cheer squad on Saturday – and having them involved in the run to September, regardless of how unlikely an actual finals berth is, adds to the game's theatre. - Jennifer Phelan
The Dockers have arguably the most dominant ruckman in the land at present in Aaron Sandilands, but coach Ross Lyon is concerned about the ease with which their opponents are clearing the ball from the centre bounce-downs (CBD). The Dockers had 11 more centre square hit-outs than Carlton and lost the clearances by three. The Blues kicked six goals from centre clearances, which Lyon said was unacceptable. But it's happened for the second match running. Sandilands was absent against the Saints and the Dockers lost the centre clearance count by six, and lost the match by 58 points. Given the midfield quality of the Sydney Swans, Hawthorn, and Port Adelaide, if they concede the football in the CBD in finals, they will be playing catch-up. - Alex Malcolm
Watch the last two minutes from Thursday night's Freo-Carlton thriller
3. Hamish Hartlett can be Port Adelaide's finals wildcard
There is no doubt the Power aren't playing the brilliant, fast and flowing football they produced in the first half of the season. But as they battle towards September's finals, Hartlett has the ability to propel his team to success, and they'll need him to. In Sunday's loss against Collingwood - a result which all but assures the Power of finishing fifth - the 23-year-old was Port's best player, with 23 disposals and a career-high four goals. Three of those came in the third quarter, lifting Port into the lead. Hartlett likes the big moments: he kicks long and straight, is hard at the contest, and has the skills to deliver under pressure. The finals should suit him. - Callum Twomey
4. The Cats have managed Allen Christensen very nicely
Such is his toughness and talent, Geelong must have been tempted to rush Christensen back into its team after he began recovering from the back surgery he underwent during the pre-season. Instead, the Cats were very patient with the 23-year-old, allowing him to slowly rebuild his fitness and strength. Christensen began looking a million dollars on the training track in June, then was best on ground in his first game back in the VFL. Yet the Cats held him in the VFL for another week, before finally elevating him to the AFL for their round 14 clash with Gold Coast. The management of Christensen is now paying serious dividends. He was Geelong's best player in its win over North Melbourne on Saturday night, tallying 29 disposals and booting a goal. - Adam McNicol
5. Daniel Talia is Adelaide's Mr Irreplaceable
Patrick Dangerfield and Taylor Walker might have the star power, but Talia's status as Adelaide's most important player was proven against West Coast. Talia has been in All Australian form this season, negating most of the competition's best forwards. A stray knee to the jaw saw him subbed out of Saturday's game at half-time, though, and his opponent in Josh Kennedy enjoyed a second half to remember. He took five marks on leads and booted 4.2 after the main break as the Crows' defence failed to function without its main man. - Harry Thring
Daniel Talia could only look on as Josh Kennedy kicked four goals on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media.
6. It's not rocket science for Gold Coast – contested ball is king
After being flogged in contested possessions by the Western Bulldogs (-26) and Brisbane Lions (-22) in their past two losses, the Suns got back to basics against St Kilda. They won the same count 140-124 and were then able to flourish on the outside. Jack Martin (11), Dion Prestia (11) and Harley Bennell (10) rolled their sleeves up to lead the way, and the vaunted Suns' run followed. The same trio, along with Jaeger O'Meara and Matt Shaw in particular, were then able to get out in space and get Gold Coast rolling again. The Suns will need to maintain the same formula over the final month to push for the top eight. - Michael Whiting
7. Etihad Stadium roof issues won't go away
The long-running debate about what to do with the Etihad Stadium roof during day games intensified on Sunday after Melbourne coach Paul Roos and his Brisbane Lions counterpart Justin Leppitsch slammed the decision to leave the roof open for their teams' encounter. The debate has traditionally focused on the effect it has on players and spectators, though Leppitsch raised an interesting point about the umpires also battling to see between the shade and light. North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has been among the most vocal critics of the roof remaining open for any games and the AFL is sure to face more questions about the issue this week. - Travis King
WATCH: Not so much fun in the sun at Etihad Stadium
8. Ben McGlynn is as valuable as any Swan
The Swans' key forwards earn plenty of praise, while the exploits of their All Australian midfielders are also well known. But the versatile McGlynn is just as vital to the Swans' chances this year. Having kicked 113 goals in 81 games in Sydney as a small forward, McGlynn moved into a midfield role this year and has averaged 21 possessions, seven tackles and five marks, while still adding just over a goal per game. And it's not just the grunt work McGlynn is renowned for, kicking an audacious goal on the run from a tight angle in the third term against Essendon on Friday night that helped stem a Bombers charge. A hard-luck story from the 2012 premiership run due to injury, McGlynn has been excellent all year long. "He gives us real energy," coach John Longmire said after the 22-point win over the Bombers. "Whether that's in the midfield, with his pressure in particular, but I thought he was quite good up forward for us as well." - James Dampney
9. Hawthorn's forward structure is the envy of the comp
For the avoidance of any remaining doubt, there are few forward lines in the AFL as potent as that possessed by Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn. Jarryd Roughead again dominated proceedings in Launceston by booting six goals. That allowed lesser roles to be played by Jack Gunston, who kicked three goals and acquired an ankle injury, and Luke Breust (one goal), while the Hawks still chalked up 16 majors for the afternoon. With a remarkable 140 goals between them in 2014, the trio of key forwards is perfectly complemented by the little and large combination of Paul Puopolo and David Hale - not to mention their battery of long-kicking midfielders - and must give opposition defenders more than their fair share of sleepless nights. - Stu Warren
