1. The kids are all right at Essendon and Gold Coast
It was a glimpse of the future at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night with the first half belonging to boom Bomber Joe Daniher while Gold Coast jet Jaeger O'Meara collected the ball at will. Daniher booted three goals before fading but not before he thrilled Essendon fans with signs of promise. Meanwhile, O'Meara – secured in 2011 in the 17-year-old mini-draft and kept like a Christmas present unable to be opened last season – had 30 touches, second to only Gary Ablett (36) for the Suns, and played well beyond the 12-gamer status he ended the night with. Both coaches were rightfully pleased with their kids, and so they should be. - Jennifer Phelan
2. Fremantle's forward threat is growing
The football world knows all about the defensive aspect of Ross Lyon-coached teams. Fremantle's No.1-ranked defence continues to suffocate opponents. The Lions managed just six goals including one after the final siren. It was the eighth time in 35 matches under Lyon the Dockers have kept their opposition to 48 points or less. In their 380 previous matches they only did it three times. But the Dockers are also looking to improve their attacking options. Leigh Matthews said the Dockers were only a 10-12 goal side without Matthew Pavlich when he got injured. The Dockers have managed 25 scores or more six times in 11 matches this year, having only done it ten times in 24 matches last year. - Alex Malcolm
3. Clearances might be an irrelevant stat
Despite losing skipper and star midfielder Marc Murphy to a fractured cheekbone, Carlton thrashed Hawthorn at the clearances on Friday night, with the final tally finishing 52-30 in the Blues' favour. Yet Mick Malthouse's men had three fewer inside-50s than the Hawks and lost the match by 15 points. Geelong's games have played out in similar fashion this season, with the Cats repeatedly losing the clearance count but winning their games. The stats seem to demonstrate that it's not whether you can get the ball, it's what you do with it that counts. - Adam McNicol
4. Collingwood is quietly regenerating
The Magpies have already used 36 players this season, more than any other top eight team. The Magpies had 10 players with fewer than 50 games experience in the team on Sunday and eight with fewer than 25 games experience. The fact is that when it comes to a line-ball decision at match committee, the sensible choice is to take the player who will benefit from the experience as it will pay multiple dividends down the track. While supporters have a lot of love for the former premiership players such as Alan Didak, the hard headed match committee know Jamie Elliott provides both tackling pressure and goalscoring ability. In any event Didak did not play in the VFL due to soreness. - Peter Ryan
5. AAMI Stadium faces a sad farewell
The finals remain a mathematical possibility for Adelaide, but on exposed form, the Crows appear an unlikely participant this September. This will mean an understated farewell by Adelaide to AAMI Stadium, the club's home ground since it entered the AFL in 1991. Based on last year's preliminary finals appearance, the Crows would have reasonably expected another home final in 2013, but with their midfield floundering and their forward line undermanned, they have found their level for this year. So it means a round 22 clash with Melbourne will mark the club's final game at the ground once known as Football Park. From next year, both Adelaide and Port Adelaide will relocate to the redeveloped Adelaide Oval. - Ashley Browne
6. Kane Cornes is going to take some catching
Cornes starred against GWS in his record 256th game for the Power , tallying a game-high 34 disposals and adding six marks, five clearances and a goal. The 30-year-old hasn't missed a game this season and is still producing outstanding football. He has already stated next season is likely to be his last, but by that time he could be a country mile in front in the club's history. Domenic Cassisi is the next highest active Port player on the list, sitting on 207 career games, followed by Brett Ebert on 166.
