1. Dogs still chasing home final, Bombers zero-in on the spoon
The equation was simple for the Bulldogs, win and a home elimination final – most likely against West Coast – remained a very realistic chance. And after conceding the opening goal, Sunday's contest went largely to plan. Luke Beveridge's men opened a few more avenues to goal ahead of a trip west to face Fremantle, which could be a tricky assignment in Dockers legend Matthew Pavlich's final match, and will be confident of doing some damage in September. If the Dons want to avoid 'winning' the wooden spoon for the first time since 1933, they'll need to touch up Carlton next round and hope the Brisbane Lions go down to St Kilda.

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2. Another Dogs defender goes down
Luke Beveridge's expression said it all. The Bulldogs coach had his head in his hands as he watched acting skipper Easton Wood fall to the ground clutching the back of his left ankle in the third quarter, before hobbling from the ground – mostly unassisted, which was a positive – and coming out of the rooms on crutches. Losing Wood, for his leadership and intercept marking ability, for any length of time heading into finals would be a hammer blow for the Dogs, with captain Bob Murphy (knee), Dale Morris (hamstring), Matthew Suckling (Achilles) and Marcus Adams (foot) already on the sidelines.

3. Old Dog and Cat hang 'em up
After 219 appearances for the Western Bulldogs, former fan favourite Adam Cooney fittingly played his 250th – and possibly final - match of an outstanding career against his old club. The retiring 2008 Brownlow medallist, who might still be named in Essendon's round 23 side against Carlton, picked up 22 touches and kicked a classy left-footed goal before being chaired off through a guard of honour from the Dogs. Watching on was Mathew Stokes who, amid much less fanfare, announced game 200 – and his 11th for the Dons - was his last after being coaxed out of retirement to help out as a top-up player. The dual premiership Geelong midfielder was superb, too, collecting 10 touches in the first term alone and ending up with 31 possessions to go out on a high.

4. Stringer needs to be reattached
Luke Beveridge sent a resounding message to All Australian forward Jake Stringer, dropping him to the VFL to find some form, but the 22-year-old will surely return next week for the run into finals. Stringer went back to Footscray and overcame a sluggish start to finish with 21 touches, nine tackles and a goal in the wet. Although the Bulldogs' forward line sliced through the understrength Dons, Tom Boyd and Zaine Cordy can't lead the attack yet and the Bullies simply must have Stringer firing in September if they're to kick a winning score. The Dogs had only averaged 79 points per game since round nine, but a freshly motivated Stringer could be a force to be reckoned with.

WATCH: Caleb crisp around the packs

5. Daniher hits the roof
It seems Joe Daniher has flown for mark of the year contenders nearly every week over his short career, but the difference this season is he's regularly hanging on to them. The 201cm budding superstar took an absolute beauty against St Kilda in round nine, and on Sunday he grabbed another equally as good, this time launching himself towards a high ball over four Bulldogs and clutching the ball to his chest. Importantly, he kicked the goal from the top of the goalsquare, too. When Daniher gets a run at the ball and extends his arms, no defender can stop him and the 22-year-old could have two of the top three marks this season, vying with Majak Daw's epic hanger against Collingwood.