DUSTIN Martin prowled the MCG with his usual gusto in the opening term on Saturday and earned ten possessions as Richmond made a bright start against Collingwood. But once again, that was where his contribution started and ended. Martin ended with just 17 possessions for the afternoon and it is becoming the tale of the tape for the precocious youngster - blinding first halves and quiet second halves. The Tigers are delighted with his growing maturity off the field, but what they need from Martin is a bit more petrol in his tank. Against the really good teams, Martin has to be a four-quarter contributor. He was nowhere to be seen in the third term on Saturday when the Pies slammed on eight straight goals to take control of the match. - Ashley Browne
2. Let Birchall roam free at your peril
Hawthorn's Tasmanian defender did as he pleased during his team's 42-point win over Fremantle at Aurora Stadium. Birchall collected a game-high 37 possessions (20 of them came in the first half), and he set up numerous attacking moves for his team with precise kicking from inside the defensive 50m arc. After the match, Freo Ross Lyon claimed that he had tried to limit Birchall's influence, but the reality was that Birchall was not made accountable by Fremantle's forwards and was not put under enough pressure when he had the ball. - Adam McNicol
3. The Power's young midfield should be the envy of many
Last week it was captain Travis Boak (24) leading his team to a memorable Showdown win over Adelaide. On Saturday night it was 22-year-old Hamish Hartlett's blistering second quarter that paved the way for an easy victory over the Suns. They may not have any superstars just yet, but the Power's midfield is throwing up new names every week. Brad Ebert (23), Matthew Broadbent (22), Chad Wingard (19) and rookie sensation Ollie Wines (18) were also excellent at Metricon Stadium. Port Adelaide's core group are all young, run hard and should ensure opponents have a difficult match-up for years to come. - Michael Whiting
4. Harry Taylor is a versatile Cat
Versatility is such a valuable trait in AFL footballers and Taylor has that in spades. At the start of Friday night's game against the Swans, Taylor was holding his usual post in the backline lined up on Lewis Roberts-Thomson. But he soon drifted forward, where he kicked two goals from three attempts late in the term. A knee injury to Roberts-Thomson in the second quarter then allowed Taylor to spend more time forward. With Tom Hawkins and James Podsiadly failing to fire in the first half, Taylor provided a welcome spark. Only some wayward kicking prevented him getting a better return than2.3. "With Roberts-Thomson unfortunately going down, it allowed me to go forward a little bit more," he said afterwards. "Obviously I'd just like to kick them a bit straighter." It is a weapon coach Chris Scott is sure to use again this season. - James Dampney
5. Gumbleton shapes as a virtual recruit
After just 28 games in an injury-plagued seven seasons, Scott Gumbleton might be ready to realise his natural talent. The 24-year-old was a late inclusion for the Bombers on Saturday, replacing Stewart Crameri, and he was the most influential player on the ground in the second half against St Kilda. Michael Hurley went down with an ankle injury 17 minutes into the third quarter, but the Bombers barely missed him with Gumbleton taking a contested mark and converting a set shot just two minutes later. He finished with four goals and 12 marks (five contested), adding another dimension to an already potent Essendon forward line. - Nathan Schmook
7. One small step for Melbourne
When the heat has been on in critical stages of games this season, Melbourne players have all too familiarly wilted. But that was not the case against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday. Senior players didn't hide from the spotlight, but instead rose to the occasion in what could have been a disastrous moment for their club and their coach. Colin Sylvia, Jack Trengove, Colin Garland and Nathan Jones were crucial in keeping steady heads and leading the way for a side that looked bereft of all confidence. Add to that, Max Gawn's efforts in the ruck and Michael Evans' lively speed up forward and the Demons managed to take some baby steps in their gradual progression. - Ben Guthrie
6. The Eagles have gone from flag favourites to far from it
West Australians call it a fortress but Patersons Stadium has become a wasteland for the Eagles. Coach John Worsfold told reporters after the game that losing at home isn't any extra concern for him, but West Coast are 0-3 at the ground in 2013. Take into account they lost just three games in 26 clashes at the ground across 2011 and 2012 and it's a worrying new trend. We know the Eagles are missing Nic Naitanui, Sharrod Wellingham, Andrew Embley, Beau Waters and Matt Rosa but with just one win over Melbourne and Darren Glass looking sore it's hard to see them delivering on a top-four season. "Eighteen games to go - that's what the game's about" was Worsfold's mantra after the match but a loss to Port this week could see Woosha's optimism evaporate. - Mark Conway
7. One small step for Melbourne
When the heat has been on in critical stages of games this season, Melbourne players have all too familiarly wilted. But that was not the case against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday. Senior players didn't hide from the spotlight, but instead rose to the occasion in what could have been a disastrous moment for their club and their coach. Colin Sylvia, Jack Trengove, Colin Garland and Nathan Jones were crucial in keeping steady heads and leading the way for a side that looked bereft of all confidence. Add to that, Max Gawn's efforts in the ruck and Michael Evans' lively speed up forward and the Demons managed to take some baby steps in their gradual progression. - Ben Guthrie
8. Crows double as wet weather birds
Adelaide's 96 tackles against the Western Bulldogs showed it’s a side more than capable when the heavens open. Rain fell so heavily in the opening term that play on the outer side of the ground was hard to see and, although the sun emerged and shone bright from quarter-time onwards, the ground remained slippery. The Crows have a fleet of workhorses who put their heads down when the conditions get tough – reflected by individual tackle counts. Richard Douglas laid nine of them, Rory Sloane managed seven and first-gamer Rory laird showed plenty of heart to finish with five tackles. - Harry Thring
9. Majak Daw could forge a long career at AFL level
Before he made his much-hyped debut on Sunday night, Majak Daw was the highest-profile footballer yet to play an AFL game. Now he is the highest-profile footballer to have played 19 minutes at the highest level. To say the Daw debut was well worth the wait would be a massive understatement. There was no easing himself into it – he was in everything from the opening minute. Just 23 seconds into the match, he plucked a magnificent pack mark and goaled from 40 metres. The 22-year-old – the first Sudanese to play in the AFL – later outmarked Lions' monster Daniel Merrett and missed a tough angle shot. A handball, subtle knock-on and not-so-subtle tap-out that amounted to a scoring assist followed, before he was accidentally KO'd in a clash of heads with teammate Ben Cunnington. The big man was subbed out. The star of the show had left the arena, and it was a huge anti-climax. But he there is little doubt he will be back. - Ben Collins
