1. James Sicily has all the makings of a star
The Hawks started James Sicily in defence on Friday night against North Melbourne, but quickly pushed him forward when goals were proving difficult to find. The third-year Hawk duly answered the call, kicking one before half-time and then four after the break to finish with a career-high bag of five. The thing that is perhaps most exciting about Sicily's development this year is that he keeps producing in big moments and when his team needs him. He has had some quieter weeks, and that'll happen for most 21-year-olds. But his deadeye goalkicking, leap and aerial strength and his zip around the forward line look sure to make defenders nervous for some time to come. - Callum Twomey

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2. Geelong might have the steadiest backline in the AFL
The sight of an inside 50 bouncing straight back out in the arms of an opponent became a familiar one for the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night. The Cats group of aging premiership veterans, a recruit from Carlton and a mature-age rookie were more like a brick wall. For the Bulldogs' 46 inside 50s, the Cats had 41 rebound 50s. Veterans Corey Enright, Jimmy Bartel combined for 52 possessions and 13 rebounds, while Tom Ruggles had 18 and four. One of the most crucial cogs right now, however, is former Blue Lachie Henderson, a marking, spoiling, possession-winning jack-of-all-trades in defence. The 26-year-old has only played 13 games with this group since arriving in exchange for Geelong's 2016 first-round draft pick. But he looks like a Cat who came through with Bartel and Enright, such is his chemistry with his new teammates. He is a major reason this rock solid backline has kept three straight contenders to under 100 points and the Bulldogs to their lowest score this season. - Nathan Schmook

 

3. The Swans are perfectly positioned for a top two finish
With 10 wins heading into next week's bye, the Swans will rest up after Sunday's thrashing of the Demons and return fresh to assert themselves on the rest of the competition in the second half of the year. John Longmire's men face the Western Bulldogs at home in round 15, then take on Geelong on the road, before welcoming Hawthorn to the SCG. Two wins from that stretch will have the Swans primed for the run home, with North Melbourne the only other top eight side they face, in Tasmania in round 22. While Kurt Tippett and Sam Reid are injury concerns, both men should be back before the finals. Look out. - Adam Curley

4. There's life in Essendon yet
After 10 consecutive losses, not much was expected from the Bombers for the remainder of the season. The patched-up list consisting of veterans, discards and inexperienced players were always going to struggle to bring their best form to every game. Against a GWS side expected to contend for the premiership, John Worsfold's men showed there will be no lying down and almost produced the upset of the season. Led by James Kelly, Zach Merrett and Adam Cooney, among numerous others, the Bombers will provide stiff opposition against any time that takes them lightly. - Dinny Navaratnam

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5. Daniel Rich can't play with a tagger
For the third straight week, the Lions vice-captain was almost anonymous once a tagger was sent to him. After a blistering 13-touch first quarter, West Coast sent stopper Mark Hutchings to curb Rich's influence. It worked a treat. Rich had just seven disposals the rest of the day and the Lions midfield looked far less effective. Last week it was Fremantle's Michael Barlow and the week before Carlton's Ed Curnow who put the clamps on Rich. He's one of the Lions' most influential players with his laser-like left foot, and needs to find a way to contribute once the opposition sends someone to him. - Michael Whiting 

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6. Fremantle's improvement is tangible
Ross Lyon said last week that winning was not a measure of improvement. But the win over Port Adelaide clearly showed the Dockers are heading in the right direction. Although they relied on some senior players to stand up in the last quarter, their youngsters continue to impress. The wins over Essendon and the Brisbane Lions were hard to measure given quality of the opposition, but the Dockers thoroughly outplayed Port Adelaide. Their trademark pressure was back but the work the Dockers have done on their ball movement is starting to pay dividends and the players are playing with renewed confidence and enthusiasm. - Alex Malcolm

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