1. Hawks' Lake buy set to pay off
Hawthorn picked up Brian Lake in last year's trade period in a calculated bid to cure its vulnerability against power forwards. The former Western Bulldog underlined against North Melbourne that the Hawks' buy was a wise one. Lake kept Drew Petrie scoreless and to just three marks, forcing the star Roo to venture up the ground to get into the play. If Lake can perform similar shut-down jobs on the likes of Tom Hawkins, Matthew Pavlich, Travis Cloke and Kurt Tippett during September, the Hawks will be a step closer to adding to their 2008 flag. - Nick Bowen

2. The Dockers' defence is flag-quality
Much has been made of Fremantle's frugal defence this season. The Dockers have conceded an average of just 66.95 points per game. It is easily the best in the AFL in 2013, but it is also better than any premiership team in recent memory. The next best defence among the last 12 premiers is Geelong in 2011, conceding on average 73.59 points per game. The only team that has a better defence than Fremantle in recent times was also coached by Ross Lyon. St Kilda conceded just 64.14 points per game when the Saints topped the ladder in 2009, but they fell 12-points short on Grand Final day against Geelong. - Alex Malcolm

3. The Blues can't blame pigeons this time
When Carlton youngster Troy Menzel sprayed a running shot on goal against Richmond in round 21, his coach Mick Malthouse blamed pigeons on the MCG surface for getting in his way. There were no pigeons to be seen against Essendon on Saturday night, but Carlton's kicking for goal was atrocious. The Blues kicked 9.22, losing by six points despite having nine more scoring shots. If Malthouse's men couldn't beat a team who had lost its previous four games by an average margin of 58 points, it's hard to hold any hope that they can succeed in the finals, in the event they are parachuted in from ninth on the back of the Essendon supplements saga. - Mark Macgugan

4. There's lots to like for the next Lions coach
While the Lions' split boardroom figures out just who will be in charge next year and how they're going to find a coach to replace Michael Voss, the players put together a pretty good sales pitch against the Bulldogs. It was heart-in-mouth stuff as they survived a breath-taking Bulldogs comeback, but amazingly the Lions can still play finals. They need Essendon to be stripped of its points, Carlton to lose against Port Adelaide and a miraculous victory over Geelong at Simonds Stadium. It's a chance. - Michael Whiting

5. Scott Thompson isn't cooked yet
The star Crow hasn't enjoyed his finest season – admittedly the bar was set high after taking out his second consecutive best and fairest last year. He's looked a bit slow at times though and his average number of possessions has dropped from 30 in 2012 to 24 this year. On Saturday though he was back to his absolute best with 22 touches in the first half against Melbourne at an astonishing 91 per cent efficiency. He finished with a season-high 33 with nine clearance, seven tackles, a goal and three Brownlow votes. Thompson may have entered the twilight of his career, but Saturday's performance proves there's still plenty of blinding displays left in him. - Harry Thring

6. The build-up is in full swing at Geelong
Paul Chapman's 14-minute first quarter cameo, when he had nine disposals and kicked one goal, was a reminder of the damage the 2009 Norm Smith medallist can do in big games. It's worth noting that the only finalist Geelong has lost to in 2013 is Collingwood and Chapman always destroys the Magpies. Less recognised but equally as promising was the second half effort from Travis Varcoe. His build has been slow but his last quarter showed that he could be another x-factor in the finals. Throw in improved players Cameron Guthrie and Steven Motlop, plus Joel Selwood's goalkicking prowess and the Cats' tilt is in good shape. - Peter Ryan

7. West Coast is the biggest disappointment of 2013
The Eagles were a regular pre-season tip to take out this year's premiership, but have barely got near it. On Friday night they hardly gave a whimper against Collingwood, who broke out of the blocks with its highest-scoring first term of the season. The Magpies cruised for the next three quarters and finished 62-point winners. Injuries to Nic Naitanui and Sharrod Wellingham for a majority of the season hasn't helped, but the Eagles have been very disappointing. Only one of their nine wins (against Essendon in round 20) has been against a side in the top eight. - Callum Twomey

8. There's life in the Saints' old legs 
Sunday was a bittersweet day for St Kilda as a trio of veterans announced their retirements and Lenny Hayes confirmed he would play on in 2014. While the departing Stephen Milne, Jason Blake and Justin Koschitzke might not feel they can contribute next season, Hayes clearly can and he will have plenty of help from Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo and Nick Riewoldt, who drove Sunday's big win over Gold Coast. Their leadership will remain crucial as the club's rebuild continues next season. – Nathan Schmook         

9. Richmond looks ready to roar
Not only have the Tigers clinched their first finals appearance in 12 years, they appear ready to cause some trouble once they get there. No less than 12 individual goalkickers led them to a 121-point win over GWS on Sunday afternoon to leave them in fifth place with one week remaining. Jack Riewoldt only kicked one, leaving it to Aaron Edwards (five goals), Reece Conca (three) and Brandon Ellis (three) to lead the way. Next up is a crunch game against Essendon, with the two sides separated only be percentage, before the Tiger Army will finally be able to cheer on its side in September once more. - James Dampney