1. Weekend at Bernie's 200th turns into Sloane's worst nightmare
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin and Bernie Vince both publicly went on record to say Vince's tagging days were behind him against of Saturday night's clash with Adelaide. It turned out to be a brilliant ruse. As many expected, Vince – in his 200th game - wore his good mate Rory Sloane like a glove and shut the Brownlow Medal favourite out of the contest. Sloane was limited to just 11 possessions as the Demons applied great pressure around the ground on their way to a 41-point victory. It was the second straight week Sloane had been successfully tagged, providing a blueprint to the rest of the competition. The Crows could be tempted to bring 34-year-old midfielder Scott Thompson back into the side to give Sloane some assistance at the contest. - Lee Gaskin

• After the siren: Mundy's kick could shape two seasons

2. Fremantle can do what West Coast can't
The Dockers barely got across the line against Richmond on Sunday, but by doing so they continued their strong form at the MCG. Ross Lyon's men have now won five of their past six matches at the home of football, including three against the hapless Tigers. They beat Melbourne, also in a nail-biter, in their only other MCG appearance this year. That contrasts greatly with the Eagles' miserable five wins from 23 attempts at the venue since 2008 - including an 11-point loss to Richmond at the 'G in round three this year. West Coast is being touted as the greater threat from the west, but maybe that discussion isn't as straightforward as only a few weeks ago, given we know where the major finals will be held. - Marc McGowan

3. Josh Kelly's price tag is going through the roof
North Melbourne has offered the gun Giant a multi-million-dollar mega deal to join the Roos next season – and they're not the only club hoping to land him. But with the way he's playing, it seems like unders. Kelly would have already been leading the Giants' best and fairest heading into round eight, and there's little doubt he would have extended his break after a breathtaking performance against Collingwood. The 22-year-old racked up 36 possessions at more than 80 per cent efficiency, added eight inside 50s, seven clearances and a goal, but showed he's more than just a silky onballer by laying a game-high 11 tackles. GWS officials are confident they will retain their man, who is part of the leadership group, and there's no doubt they need to keep him, because even with the amount of talent at their disposal, he's now the best player on the list. Check the Brownlow odds. - Adam Curley

• Around the state leagues: Who starred in your club's twos?

4. Jack set for top Billings
The pre-season message coming out of Seaford was unmistakable – Jack Billings was ready to deliver on the raw talent that saw him taken with pick No.3 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, one place ahead of Marcus Bontempelli. Billings' performances over this year's opening seven rounds were more tantalising cameos than star turns, but the 21-year-old was the main man against Carlton on Saturday. He finished with a career-high 30 possessions (equal) and five goals, but it was the way he compiled those stats that should have Saints fans excited. Billings' booming left foot was at its pin-point best against the Blues. He did not miss a shot on goal and most of his chances were converted from beyond or around the 50m line. In the second quarter when both teams were struggling to score, he kicked the Saints' only two goals; at half-time he had four of St Kilda's six majors. The Saints look capable of making a serious tilt at a premiership in a few seasons' time. If Billings delivers on his potential, they might just snare that elusive second flag. - Nick Bowen

5. Sometimes even Josh Kennedy gets the yips at Domain Stadium
The West Coast spearhead's love affair with the Subiaco venue is no secret, but on Friday night not even Kennedy had his kicking boots on in a scrappy contest. Both the Eagles and Western Bulldogs rued some inaccuracy in front of goal in a low-scoring encounter, however there was widespread disbelief when Kennedy had three relatively straight-forward – by his standards – set shots to ice the game early in the final quarter and missed them all to finish with 3.6. This at a venue where he booted 11 without a miss three years ago against GWS, and where Kennedy has dobbed 263 goals at 63 per cent accuracy over his stellar career. The fact West Coast hasn't yet played its best football, despite boasting an impressive 6-2 record, and that dual Coleman medallist Kennedy hasn't been at his brilliant and deadly best in the past two triumphs (he booted 2.3 against Port Adelaide) bodes well for the rest of West Coast's season. – Travis King

• Fantasy form watch: Red alert on sore Rocky

6. Essendon deserves credit for taking a punt on Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Every club, including the Bombers, overlooked Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti in several drafts before Essendon finally grabbed him as a rookie at the end of 2015. They had concerns about his running capacity, but had seen enough from the quick and brilliant small forward in their VFL team to believe he just might be able to make something of an AFL opportunity if it came. He certainly has. The Bombers deployed McDonald-Tipungwuti in a running half-back role last year more through necessity than anything else, but he is a natural small forward who doesn't need many touches to light up a game. He was brilliant on Saturday night in the Bombers' win over Geelong, kicking three goals from 17 disposals and laying four tackles. McDonald-Tipungwuti is tough, combative, speedy and one of the club's best kicks – Essendon's recruiting team deserve some credit for taking a chance. - Callum Twomey

7. Hawks got it right with Ryan
Hawk youngster Ryan Burton was fetching as much as $23 for the NAB AFL Rising Star Award before Saturday's win over the Brisbane Lions. But after a slashing 25-possession display at the University of Tasmania Stadium, those odds were slashed in half and rightfully so. After missing the season opener, Burton has fitted seamlessly into the Hawthorn backline where his sound judgement and excellent disposal has come to the fore. He won the weekly nomination in round two and if this form persists, will be right in the running come the end of the season. Hawthorn supporters love Burton and his development has cheered them considerably given how the season has panned put to date. He is shaping as a worthy and deserved No.5 at the club and like the champion who wore it before him, the midfield surely beckons at some stage. - Ashley Browne

8. When the Power are good, they're very good
After completely dominating Gold Coast in Shanghai, Port Adelaide move to fourth on the ladder with five wins and three losses and a league-high percentage of 150.8. It's been the emphatic nature of their wins (admittedly against weaker teams) that looks ominous for the rest of the competition. The Power can flick the switch and score quickly, and have a 72-point average winning margin. Port's forward line is dangerous both in the air and at ground level. They have an injury list of zero, and it shows on the field with a very settled back six. The addition of Paddy Ryder in the ruck has been icing on the cake for Port Adelaide. - Sarah Black

9. North has a problem containing star midfielders
North Melbourne had no answers for Gold Coast superstar Gary Ablett when he racked up 45 disposals in a best-afield display in round six. Youngster Trent Dumont tried to run with Ablett in the first half with little success, before coach Brad Scott changed things up and gave small forward Jed Anderson a chance in that role. On Sunday against the Swans, Josh Kennedy amassed 26 touches to half-time and again the Kangaroos showed they have a real issue with stopping the influence of the opposition's best onballer. Sam Gibson limited Rory Sloane to just 18 disposals in the Kangaroos' emphatic 59-point win over Adelaide last week, but Scott decided to have Gibson run with Dan Hannebery instead of Kennedy - and Hannebery had 33 disposals and two gaols. Tagger Ben Jacobs returned via the VFL's seconds competition on Saturday after multiple surgeries to repair a serious foot fracture. With Jacobs still a while from a senuir return, Scott will need to look at his defensive structures, particularly around stoppages, to ensure another star mid doesn't get off the chain. – Ben Guthrie