1. The Hawks are losing the hunger games
Alastair Clarkson didn't hide the fact that some of his stars are out of form, but that wasn't the problem against Greater Western Sydney. The most alarming aspect of Hawthorn's loss has been a factor all season. The Hawks were -39 in contested possessions – the fifth time from six games this season they've been beaten in that area – and -18 in the clearances, showing the Giants were hungrier to win the one-on-ones. GWS also outhunted the premiers and laid 22 more tackles, which is hard to fathom given they had almost 100 more disposals and controlled the play from the first bounce. The class and experience of Clarkson's men has got them out of trouble three times this season but they don't have the leg speed to be able to give them first crack at the footy on a consistent basis, and if they can't improve their work-rate in close, four in a row might out of reach. - Adam Curley

2. The top eight is starting to take shape
The Eagles were tested by the Magpies at times on Sunday afternoon but in flexing their muscles to kick away for their fourth win they underscored the gap between the current top eight and the chasing pack. One game now separates eighth from ninth, with Port Adelaide perhaps the best credentialled of the sides with a 3-3 ledger in ninth to 11th place. History suggests that a 2-4 start makes it difficult to play finals. With the Anzac Day thumping of Essendon already looking an anomalous memory, Collingwood and six other sides now have that record after six rounds. In their favour, the Magpies face Carlton and the Brisbane Lions in the next two weeks and could square their ledger by round eight. For the Eagles' part, the top four remains in reach but they must rectify their troubling away form, starting against Geelong next week. Sunday's second half shows they will remain tough to beat at home. – Alex Malcolm   

3. Tex or no Tex, the Crows' forward line gets the job done
If Taylor Walker isn't going to get you, then Eddie Betts will. Or Josh Jenkins. Or Tom Lynch. The embarrassment of riches the Crows have in attack makes them one of the most dangerous sides in the competition. Fremantle defender Alex Pearce did a fantastic job on Walker to keep the Adelaide captain goalless on Saturday afternoon and restrict him to just 10 touches. Betts was a constant threat, finishing with four goals and five inside 50s. Lynch had a lot of impact with his 19 touches and two goals, while Jenkins also bagged a couple. With a date looming with the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in round seven, throwing impressive rookie Wayne Milera back into the mix will further strengthen Adelaide's attack. - Lee Gaskin

4. The Kangas are the real deal
Although North Melbourne's round one victory over Adelaide has looked more impressive with each eye-catching Crows performance, some still weren't convinced the free-flowing Kangas were a genuine premiership contender. But their hard-fought triumph against the Western Bulldogs should dispel those doubts. Instead of coming out all guns blazing, as many expected, the Roos braced themselves for a contested onslaught and withstood the best the Doggies threw at them. It was a finals-like win from a battle-hardened team, which boasts arguably the most dangerous forward line in the competition, a tough midfield with added polish from Daniel Wells and a sturdy-enough backline. No longer is the Roos' effort fluctuating wildly during matches and with St Kilda, Essendon and Carlton to come, Brad Scott's men could be 9-0 and cruising towards a top-two spot. - Travis King

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5. Jacob Weitering has assumed a level of importance rarely seen from first-year players
When the first person drafted last year went down with a slip of the shoulder and a head knock in the second quarter, Carlton fans were worried. Such is the level of play he has brought to the Blues this season. Experienced full-back Michael Jamison has spent time in the VFL and Sam Rowe is no world-beater. Weitering though, has shown composure and class beyond his years in a defence that has been under siege at times this season. His absence from the game was crucial, with Essendon kicking four goals in the last quarter to threaten a comeback. Having the 18-year-old on the field would have surely lessened Brendon Bolton's stress levels. - Dinny Navaratnam

6. The Tiger train isn't getting back on the rails
For Richmond to have any hope of igniting its floundering season, the Tigers simply had to get the job done against an undermanned and similarly out of sorts Port Adelaide. But Saturday night's loss was a train wreck for Damien Hardwick's men. Even without suspended backman Alex Rance, the Tigers had the edge in quality and it's not like they weren't in the contest – they simply weren't capable of creating enough chances. With Hawthorn, on the rebound from a humbling loss to GWS, and the impressive Sydney Swans to come, it's just about impossible on current form to see Richmond winning in the next two weeks and from 1-7 the Tigers' finals chances would surely be kaput for 2016. - Travis King

7. The Saints have a good one in Blake Acres
The performance of third-year midfielder Blake Acres was a major positive for St Kilda fans in the club's comprehensive win over Melbourne. Acres showed why he was a top-20 draft pick in 2013 with perhaps the best game of his young career with 28 disposals, seven marks and five tackles. He also pushed forward to kick two smart goals and showed he can be the tall, versatile midfielder the Saints are searching for. Acres has been in and out of St Kilda's line-up, and hasn't been able to string together many games so far in his career. But his breakout game against the Demons might be the turning point for his career as the Saints continue their improvement this year. - Callum Twomey

8. Geelong's midfield is finely balanced
The Cats' coach Chris Scott is right to point out there is more to their midfield than Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood. However, the pair is crucial to the team's performance. Their presence has been a key to the improvement in Josh Caddy, Mitch Duncan, Cam Guthrie and Steven Motlop. Caddy remains a contested-ball animal but without the pressure of carrying the load, while Duncan and Motlop's outside game is flourishing because they have teammates operating inside the contest. Guthrie, who earned 29 touches in the 120-point flogging of the Suns, is super-consistent and can play whatever role the game demands. That balance is why the Cats are in the top-four teams for scores for and against, and why after six rounds they are sitting pretty in second place. - Peter Ryan

9. When they work hard, the Lions' midfield can match anyone
It's the part of the ground the Brisbane Lions hang their hat on, but far too often the midfield goes missing. After being embarrassed by the Western Bulldogs last week, they turned it around to match the vaunted Sydney Swans mids this week. The Swans are the AFL's contested ball monsters, and the Lions the minnows. But led by Mitch Robinson (19), Tom Rockliff (15), Pearce Hanley (13) and Tom Bell (12), they went stride for stride in that area – particularly after quarter-time. Not surprisingly, their team was right in the contest as a result. The Lions have been good at home and pussycats on the road so far in 2016, so next week's trip to Adelaide to take on Port looms as a big challenge. - Michael Whiting

• Who starred for your club in this weekend's state leagues?