1. The Crows are not well, but still alive
Adelaide's season appears on life support after Saturday night's 22-point loss to Fremantle, but there remains a pulse. Not only are the Crows playing reasonably well without getting the wins, but their draw is kind. They won every major indicator except the scoreboard against the Dockers and face Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and West Coast to finish the year. They must win all five and hope for results elsewhere to see September action. It's improbable, but not impossible. - Alex Malcolm
2. The Magpies can't afford to cruise any more
Remember two or three years back when the Magpies could run roughshod over most opposition even when they weren't at their very best? They're certainly not capable of it any more. Running players Alan Didak (out of form), Dale Thomas (injured), Leon Davis (retired) are missing from the powerhouse 2010-11 sides and, as Scott Pendlebury noted earlier this year, the present-day Magpies don't have the depth to cope when their midfielders don't measure up defensively. The Giants showed up Collingwood up for the best part of three quarters on Saturday before a combination of experience and top-end talent got the favourites home by 40 points. A win is a win, but it's hardly the sort of stuff that will strike fear into reigning premiership fancies Hawthorn, Geelong and the Sydney Swans. - Michael Rogers
3. Adam Cooney will earn a two-year deal somewhere
If the Western Bulldogs are not able to offer Adam Cooney more than a one-year deal, then someone else will, based on Sunday's performance against West Coast. Cooney and the Bulldogs have not been able to agree to terms for a contract extension beyond this season, with negotiations dragging. The Brownlow medallist was electrifying on Sunday, sparking the Bulldogs midfield with 30 disposals and one goal in a best-on-ground performance. It could be the circuit breaker that forces a deal for the free agent one way or another. - Nathan Schmook
4. Geelong's late-season run of games at home is ridiculously valuable
So far in 2013 the Cats have had four games at Simonds Stadium and have scored 443 points in those matches while conceding only 181 (that's a percentage of 244). Because the construction of the Players Stand meant Geelong didn't host its first game at the Cattery until round 10, they can still look forward to having three of their last five games (against Port Adelaide, the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions) at home. With two of those matches shaping as relatively easy kills, only a major meltdown can prevent Chris Scott's side from finishing the home and away season in the top two. - Adam McNicol
5. Ballwinners aren't the only ones causing migraines for Swan opponents
Finding ways to dent the Sydney Swans' midfield influence has been a regular headache for opposition coaches. However, another problem has emerged - how to stop the defending premiers' three tall forwards - Kurt Tippett, Jesse White and the resting ruckman Mike Pyke or Shane Mumford. The quartet kicked about half of the Swans goals in Sunday's win over Richmond and were a constant threat. If a team is to thwart the Swans' bid for back-to-back flags, it will need a solution. And perhaps some extra paracetamol. - Jordan Chong
6. The Demons' recent improvement under Craig was a mirage
The light at the end of the tunnel is further away than we thought for Melbourne. Just when the team starts to put together some competitive form, the Demons produced whatever it was they served up against North Melbourne. They managed just four goals in dry conditions. Incredible. At quarter-time they had just two inside-50s. TWO! It comes just two weeks after Melbourne mustered a record low 19 inside-50s against Geelong at Simonds Stadium. The end of the season can't come fast enough for Demons fans. Whoever gets the coaching gig next year has plenty of work to do. - Jacqui Reed
7. Buddy and Roughy are the AFL's Lillee and Thommo
When Australian fast bowlers Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson were terrorising the world's batsmen in the 1970s, the popular refrain was, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if Lillee doesn't get you, then 'Thommo' must." Essendon coach James Hird experienced a similarly hopeless feeling on Friday night as he witnessed Hawthorn's Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead destroy his team with a combined 12 goals. "Their forward line is scary," Hird said. "It's hard to know who to send to who. If Buddy doesn't get you, then Roughead does. Then there's [Jack] Gunston and then there's [Luke] Breust, and [Cyril] Rioli seems to pop up if the other four or five don't get you." - Mark Macgugan
8. The Power are red-time specialists
Port Adelaide's performance in time-on against the Brisbane Lions was where the game was determined on Sunday. Under the guidance of high performance manager Darren Burgess, the Power have come into their own late in games this season, winning 12 of 17 final terms. On Sunday it was the crucial minutes at the end of the first and second terms that losing coach Michael Voss lamented. The Power booted 3.5 to 0.1 in a five-minute period that ultimately proved the difference and highlighted the value in late goals. - Harry Thring
9. Kreuzer can carry Carlton's midfield
Matthew Kreuzer has been at the centre of plenty of speculation this season and the 24-year-old answered his critics emphatically on Saturday. Mick Malthouse said he was "untouchable" when potential trade talk swirled around the former No.1 pick, then Carlton premiership ruckmen John Nicholls, Mike Fitzpatrick and Justin Madden told AFL.com.au that Kreuzer was the man for the long-term job. Against the Suns he had 12 disposals, 41 hit-outs and five clearances and was instrumental in kickstarting the Blues in a total domination of the impressive Gold Coast midfield. His tap work spoon-fed Chris Judd and Brock McLean as the Blues won the clearances 41-29. If Kreuzer continues that form, he can lead Carlton back to the finals. - Michael Whiting
