1. Form over reputation is the right way to go at the Swans
Coach John Longmire has made some tough decisions at the selection table this season, and last week was no exception with veterans Ted Richards and Ben McGlynn dropped to the reserves. Richards has been a linchpin in defence for several years but Aliir Aliir is now entrenched as a tall backman after winning a spot with fantastic NEAFL form. McGlynn has been overtaken in the role of a small forward/midfielder who applies plenty of defensive pressure by the likes of youngsters George Hewett and Tom Papley. Longmire could have stuck with experience but has picked his 22 based on form and he's reaping the rewards. - Adam Curley

2. The Dogs have done it before and they can do it again
Earlier this year, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge mused that, given their horror run with injury, someone at the club must have run over a black cat. This time, following season-ending injuries to midfielder Mitch Wallis (broken leg) and key forward Jack Redpath (ACL), Beveridge revealed the Dogs were devastated after a "traumatic" loss to St Kilda. However, they are brilliantly coached and boast solid reinforcements, so don't be surprised if they give Geelong an almighty scare at the Cattery on Friday night and remain firmly in the hunt for an elusive premiership. - Ben Collins

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3. Don't listen to the Wells doubters
A common knock on the North Melbourne star over recent seasons, especially towards the end of last year as he battled Achilles issues, is that Wells doesn't want to play when he's not 100 per cent fit. But against Colllingwood on Friday night, the silky midfielder showed his true character, forgetting breathing problems during the Roos' warm-up and an impromptu fitness test to produce a blistering first quarter. Wells had 11 touches, three centre clearances and two goal assists before the Pies knew what had hit them, before finishing with 29 touches and six clearances. It was an inspirational display which, in tandem with forward Drew Petrie's aggression, set the tone for a critical Roos win. - Travis King

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4. Hill won't be affected by possible Dockers move
News Bradley Hill was considering a move home to Western Australia to play alongside elder brother Stephen at Fremantle broke on Saturday, but the Hawthorn wingman's performance against Richmond suggests the looming decision on his football future won't distract him from the Hawks' quest for four consecutive flags. Hill was outstanding at the MCG on Sunday, racking up a season-high 31 possessions along with a team-high seven inside 50s and five tackles. Hawthorn will be hoping the West Australian's blistering run proves a major weapon during this year's finals, when its and Hill's sole focus will be equalling the record premiership run of Collingwood's 1927-30 'Machine' teams. Once that quest is over, then and only then will the club and Hill turn their minds fully to the future. - Nick Bowen

5. Hawkins remains the key for Cats
Tom Hawkins is used to scrutiny. It comes with being the key forward of a premiership contender. He has delivered before under pressure and appears capable of doing so again after kicking four goals against Adelaide. He confirmed his mini-slump was over when he took a strong mark in the first quarter and kicked straight. The Tomahawk finished with four goals and three strong marks. He also laid six tackles and had a presence. If he can fire, the Cats are back in the hunt. - Peter Ryan

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6. Steven May has strong claims as Gold Coast's next captain
If Gary Ablett – or the club – decides his six-year reign as skipper should end next season, Gold Coast has a difficult decision in deciding on a replacement. Tom Lynch has been anointed by the outside world, but his fellow bookend Steven May is an equally good candidate. In Ablett's absence, the pair are sharing duties until season's end, and May showed against Fremantle the captaincy tag sits nicely with him. He had 24 disposals and 13 marks and was a strong voice in the back half. Lynch is a star who commands his teammates' respect with his actions, but May's voice carries plenty of weight and should not be underestimated. - Michael Whiting. 

7. The Demons are making giant strides without the ultimate reward
They did everything right against West Coast, won every major stat category and led at every change but ultimately, didn't win. Demons fans would lament yet another defeat snatched from the jaws of victory but there was so much to like about this performance. They smashed an experienced Eagles midfield, they conceded just 37 inside 50 entries and 10 goals. It was only a lack of composure in wet conditions that was the difference between breaking a 12-year drought in Perth and all but ending the Eagles' top-four hopes. - Alex Malcolm 

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8. Letting Daniel Rich roam free is a dangerous ploy
The veteran Lion has been under the microscope this season for his inability to overcome close-checking opponents, so it was surprising that the Bombers didn't pay tighter attention to the damaging left-footer across half-back. Essendon coach John Worsfold pointed out that Rich's man, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, might've kicked three goals before half-time (he had 1.2) and that match-up would've been looked at much differently. But instead Rich ran riot with 27 touches, 13 handball receives, seven inside 50s and a goal for the match in his best performance this season. He was one of a number of senior players who stood up on Sunday, despite rumblings of unrest with coach Justin Leppitsch and their performances have ensured it will be a brighter week ahead in Brisbane. - Travis King

9. Ebert's as tough as they come
There's never been much of an argument against the fact, but Brad Ebert again proved himself one of the League's toughest on Sunday. He was forced to sit out Port's win over North Melbourne last week after a heavy fall left him bleeding from the mouth the week before. But Ebert knows only one way and was instantly back at the bottom of packs and putting his body on the line. He was again collected, too; an elbow in a marking contest left him with blood streaming from his head, requiring a new jumper and bandage. - Harry Thring

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