1. Big Will on a wing and prayer
There's no doubt Western Bulldogs ruckman Will Minson is having a brilliant season but he might have some reason to be concerned following Sunday's game after giving Patrick Dangerfield's left shoulder a mighty workout. In similar fashion to the way Chris Judd laid his infamous 'chicken wing' tackle on Leigh Adams in 2012, Minson held onto Dangerfield's left arm as he was tackled by Mitch Wallis in the opening minute of the second quarter. He then kept hold of the arm while Dangerfield lay on his stomach and seemed to pull it backwards. Dangerfield, who had his right shoulder strapped after he hurt his AC joint in round 16, appeared unharmed and there was no remonstration. Still, it raised eyebrows given its similarities to the Judd case that saw the two-time Brownlow medallist referred straight to the tribunal and subsequently suspended for four matches for hurting Adams' troublesome shoulder.
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2. Two to go for Crows
The Crows needed a few things to go their way to make the finals but they still had a glimmer of hope before Sunday. Even to get into ninth, and benefit should Essendon lose its right to play finals, they had to win all of their remaining games and rely on other results going their way. Midway through the third term and into the fourth when they still held the lead, it looked as though the Crows were going to give themselves the chance of sneaking into the finals in unique and unusual circumstances. But the Dogs' seven-goal final term snuffed out that hope, and their 2013 torch was extinguished. Meaningless games against Melbourne and West Coast will finish off their year.
3. Two-pronged attack
It's no secret the Dogs have been crying out for a commanding forward and on Sunday they saw evidence to suggest Tom Campbell could turn into that guy. In his 11th senior game and fourth for the season, the 21-year-old booted four goals and took five marks, with Tory Dickson providing an impressive alternative target next to him with six goals, including the one that snatched the lead back from the Crows at the 12-minute mark in the fourth quarter.
4. Dale's deal
In an extension of one of the good stories of 2013, Bulldogs defender Dale Morris has signed a contract with the club that locks him in for another 12 months. After missing all of 2012 with the leg he horrifically broke in round 21, 2011, Morris is one of only five Bulldogs to have played every game this season. Given the doubt over how his leg would hold up when he returned to the field, his performances this year – and the fact he'll go into at least a 10th season – is a wonderful story.
5. Old Dogs, new tricks
Daniel Giansiracusa showed his class when he kicked a beauty from the 'Footscray' end pocket late in the first quarter and then, after being set up by 200-gamer Adam Cooney in an explosive start to the fourth quarter, put the Dogs within three points with his second goal. And Daniel Cross – who isn't a renowned goal-kicker, having managed 31 goals in 207 games before Sunday – snapped an equally crucial major midway through the second term. Both players are coming to the end of their careers and there is no official word on what they'll be doing in 2014 but they showed they've still got skills when it matters most.
