1. Melbourne has a scoring problem
Getting the ball into scoring positions hasn't been an issue for Melbourne this year. Through five games, they've averaged a touch over 57 inside 50s a game. But turning those into goals has become an issue. Against Hawthorn last week they kicked six goals from 53 inside 50s and on Tuesday night against Richmond it was eight from 47. In the first term they banged it in there 19 times for one goal. Jesse Hogan is the linchpin of the forward line, but he can't work harder or do much more than he currently is. Jake Melksham kicked a career-high four goals against the Tigers, but is unlikely to be a long-term second foil. Jeff Garlett is really struggling. Perhaps the return of swingman Tom McDonald in a few weeks will help the Dees find other avenues to goal, but in the meantime they're struggling and it's a key reason why they're just 2-3 in a season that commenced with such optimism. - Ashley Browne

2. Cox experiment set to pay off
American Mason Cox announced his arrival on the AFL stage with an exciting debut on Anzac Day two years ago. His subsequent struggle to establish himself as a forward/ruckman behind Collingwood's No.1 big man Brodie Grundy should come as little surprise; few, if any, code-hoppers have been able to adjust to the unique demands of playing in a key position. But this Anzac Day the 211cm expat showed perhaps the most promising signs yet that he can play as a stay-at-home forward. While the likes of Jordan De Goey, Jaidyn Stephenson, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Steele Sidebottom swarmed at his feet, Cox provided a strong aerial target, especially when given a free run at the ball. He finished the game with eight marks – five of them inside the Pies' forward 50 and three contested – and kicked two goals. As Collingwood's form continues to improve, Cox is likely to enjoy good supply in attack. His performance against the Dons suggests he's now ready to make the most of it. - Nick Bowen

3. We're heading for a cracking Western Derby that nobody expected
You would have been laughed out of town before the season started for claiming the round six Western Derby could be one of the year's most-anticipated matches, but the scene is set for a blockbuster at Optus Stadium next Sunday. Who would've predicted the regenerating Eagles would be sitting pretty as the only team to win four straight games by now? Certainly not Robert Walls, who backed them for the wooden spoon. But with Nic Naitanui making a huge difference and an injection of youth energising the side, West Coast is suddenly a finals contender. As for the Dockers, their demolition of a woeful Western Bulldogs on Saturday night whetted the appetite for the 47th clash with their bitter cross-town rivals. Ross Lyon's men are free-wheeling, fun to watch and unbeaten at home, averaging more than 103 points per game. With five first-year players against the Dogs and a senior core leading the way, Freo's rebuild seems on track. While only four points are at stake for Fremantle's home game next Sunday, both WA teams are searching for a litmus test to find out where they are at. Oh, and there's the small matter of bragging rights for winning the first Western Derby at Optus Stadium. Bring it on. - Travis King

WATCH: First-year Docker sets the tone 

4. North, crazily, might be a top-eight hope
Expect anything. That's what the 2017 season taught us, but still we refused to believe North Melbourne could be anything but a bottom-four side this year. We know all about the Shinboner spirit and that the Roos retain several top-liners, including one of the game's best forwards in Ben Brown. But their midfield was supposedly pedestrian – outside of a select few – and the depth was largely non-existent. How wrong we have been so far, and particularly on Sunday. Sure, Hawthorn came with a rush to blot North's copybook somewhat by the final siren, but don't sleep on the Roos' first-half exploits and ability to grit out the win. Eight different players won multiple clearances, led by Ben Jacobs' seven. Top-five draft pick Luke Davies-Uniacke was rested this weekend; Sam Wright, who, like Jacobs didn't play any senior football last year because of injury, is another who could return next week; and Taylor Garner made his season debut in the VFL on Saturday. North Melbourne now boasts a 3-2 record and has given itself a chance to do something this season. Doomsayers be damned. - Marc McGowan

WATCH: Brown curls home a cracker

5. Carlton's plan makes sense
For any Blues fans unsure about their club's future, watch Brendon Bolton's post-match media conference after the 10-point loss to West Coast, or read his comments. He asked people to consider what this young team, bereft of its experienced stars for now, would look like in a few years. Consider this: Patrick Cripps and Charlie Curnow could soon be considered among the best players in the competition, while Zac Fisher, Sam Petrevski-Seton and Paddy Dow ooze class. Injured defensive pair Jacob Weitering and Caleb Marchbank will anchor the backline one day while Sam Docherty is just 24. At the other end of the ground, Harry McKay booted four goals against the Eagles. Just because the talent is there doesn't mean success will inevitably follow, because numerous rebuilds have gone wrong. However, Carlton's on-field nucleus has looks very sound. - Dinny Navaratnam

6. After a year from hell, 'Lids' is back
Brett Deledio was best afield for Greater Western Sydney against St Kilda in Saturday's draw, with the former Tiger picking up 29 disposals and booting two important goals. He provided class across the contest and good drive whenever he had the ball, but most importantly had his zip back. Deledio played just seven games in his first season for the Giants last year and has struggled with injury in recent times, including late in his career at Richmond. But the 2004 No.1 draft pick has started this year in top form, averaging 22 disposals across the opening five rounds of the year. It was a lacklustre showing from the Giants against the Saints, but coach Leon Cameron would have taken plenty of heart from Deledio's effort. - Callum Twomey

HE'S BACK: 'Lids' lights up against Saints

7. Seedsman has timed his run perfectly
With elite kicker Brodie Smith missing for the season and the Crouch brothers and Rory Sloane battling their own injury worries, Paul Seedsman's arrival as a consistent line-breaker has been timely to say the least. The former Magpie has always teased with his speed and quality foot skills, but setbacks with his body have never allowed the 26-year-old to fulfil his potential. So far it looks like 2018 is Seedsman's year, and judging by the way he torched Sydney, his upside must have the Crows excited. Playing on a wing, he had 14 possessions in the opening term, nine of them contested, three inside 50s and two tackles, and while it was impossible to maintain that influence on the game, his brilliant goal in the third term – Adelaide's sole major for the quarter after the Swans had closed to within four points – was special. Seedsman is averaging 26.6 touches per game this season (his previous best was 18.9 back in 2013) and his running power, coupled with his ball use, arguably makes him Adelaide's most influential player right now. - Adam Curley

WATCH: Crow sows the seeds for victory

8. Cats running machine transforms into key defender
When Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson went down with injury, the questions came thick and fast about Geelong's defensive depth. Cats coach Chris Scott turned to utility Mark Blicavs to move down back and take a key defensive post. Blicavs got the better of Port Adelaide spearhead Charlie Dixon in Saturday night's 34-point win against the Power at Adelaide Oval. Dixon was kept goalless and failed to have an impact as the Power kicked just seven majors for the game. It's not just Blicavs who has stepped up. Jack Henry (four games), Tom Stewart (26 games) and Jake Kolodjashnij (52 games) are all playing valuable roles in a makeshift backline. - Lee Gaskin

9. When their pressure is on, the Suns are tough to beat
It's not a difficult formula for Gold Coast, but when they turn up the heat, they're hard to beat. In the opening fortnight against North Melbourne and Carlton they racked up in excess of 90 tackles in each match and won. The following fortnight in Perth against Fremantle and West Coast was a different story – and a different result. They didn't tackle, they didn't defend and they didn't pressure, but they did lose. So it was no surprise that when they got back to basics against the Lions, things turned around. Jarrod Harbrow smashing Ryan Bastinac, great forward pressure from Darcy MacPherson and Nick Holman and a defensive set-up that stifled Brisbane's run made for a Suns outfit that was hard to beat - although the Lions gave it a red-hot go in the final term. - Michael Whiting