• Fantasy round review: A Saint teenager turns it on
1. The Tigers look better when they kick it to Jack
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has been clearly focused on developing the club's scoring options beyond star forward Jack Riewoldt. Hardwick wants to develop a spread of goalkicking weapons, including Tyrone Vickery, Ben Griffiths and Jake King. But against the Western Bulldogs, too often, the Tigers bypassed kicking it to Riewoldt in favour of spotting up another target. One kick to half-time was not good enough from Riewoldt, but a four-goal second half from the Tigers spearhead showed what he is capable of doing when the ball is in his hands. More football needs to be directed Riewoldt's way if the Tigers are to feature in the finals this season. – Ben Guthrie
2. Hawthorn’s talent runs deepest
Hawthorn has been hit as hard as any team by injury and suspension, but the Hawks have shown in the first three rounds they boast the best depth in the competition. With Brian Lake (suspension) and Ben Stratton (hamstring) missing in defence, Kyle Cheney has defied his 187cm frame to stop power forwards. Will Langford has come into the Hawks' midfield and his job on star Docker David Mundy on Friday night suggests he can establish himself as Hawthorn's No.1 run-with player. Ruckman Ben McEvoy's late withdrawal was a huge loss as the Hawks prepared to take on Aaron Sandilands, but third-gamer Jonathon Ceglar came in and, with David Hale, ensured the Freo giant did not have things all his own way. With youngsters Derick Wanganeen and Mitch Hallahan waiting in the wings, the Hawks' talent base is a little scary. - Nick Bowen
3. West Coast’s tall timber can cause issues
Much has been made of West Coast's "land of the giants" with Nic Naitanui, Dean Cox, Callum Sinclair, Josh Kennedy, and Jack Darling stretching opponents for height and size. But against St Kilda, Adam Simpson felt his side became exposed when injuries to Mark LeCras (forearm), Scott Selwood (rolled ankle), and Chris Masten (corked thigh) gave the Saints a distinct advantage at ground level. St Kilda dominated the contested ball and clearances and had the Saints taken their opportunities in front of goal the result could have been different. The Eagles will need to consider their structure carefully against Geelong next Saturday night at Simonds Stadium. - Alex Malcolm
4. Sam's day in the sun shows the talls are coming along
The big question mark over the Suns through their first three seasons was "when are the talls going to develop?" Well, we've seen plenty of evidence through the first three rounds that it's happening in a big way this season. Sam Day has now kicked eight goals this year and a career-high four against the Lions. While the Suns were struggling to score despite having all the play in the first-half, Day gave them some reward for effort with three second-quarter goals – all with marks on the lead and all with superb set shots from distance. Throw in another super full-back performance from Steven May and another solid showing from centre half-forward Tom Lynch, and the big fellas at the Suns are starting to catch up with their more-hyped midfield mates. - Michael Whiting
Sam Day kicks for goal against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media
5. Tom Hawkins is back in town
The 'Tomahawk' was arguably the best key forward in the competition in 2012, but a back injury meant he was a shadow of his formerly powerful self last year. Now Hawkins' fortunes have swung again. The burly sharp-shooter was outstanding when the Cats' clash against Collingwood on Saturday night was on the line. He kicked three goals in the last quarter, including the sealer, in a performance that confirmed he is back at the top of his game. - Adam McNicol
6. Melbourne is getting closer to some unwanted history
It has been some time since Melbourne tasted victory, with its last triumph coming in round 14 last year against the Western Bulldogs. The Demons would have given themselves a chance against GWS but were ultimately well beaten by 32 points. That made it 12 consecutive losses, which is only the equal-seventh worst run in club history. The all-time record is 20 defeats in 1981-1982. But where is Melbourne's next win coming from? The Dees have already played the other bottom two sides from last year, St Kilda and GWS, and their next eight matches are against: Carlton, Gold Coast, Sydney Swans, Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Port Adelaide and Collingwood. Lose all of them and they will equal that 1982 team. Will they start favourites in any of those? Seems unlikely. Paul Roos sure has his hands full. - James Dampney
7. Buddy's still got it after all
He must have known he was going to come under scrutiny when he signed a nine-year, $10 million deal to join the Sydney Swans, but the suggestions he was past his prime would have surely surprised Lance Franklin. While his first handful of showings for the Swans (trials included) hardly excited fans, Franklin's display against Adelaide (four goals, 20 possessions) was brilliant to watch. His work to not only hit the scoreboard but create opportunities for teammates was exactly what coach John Longmire wanted and would have sent a shockwave through opposition camps considering Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes and Sam Reid are all to return to the line-up. - Harry Thring
8. North Melbourne's youngsters can be match-winners
It was no surprise that Port Adelaide put its attention into Brent Harvey, Daniel Wells and Nick Dal Santo on Sunday evening. What may have been a surprise, however, was the extent to which the next tier of Kangaroos midfielders lifted. Ben Cunnington (30 possessions and nine clearances) and Levi Greenwood (34 and six inside-50s) played complete games to carry the Roos through a high-pressure match. Harvey and Dal Santo kicked crucial goals to seal the win, but the Kangaroos' real match-winners were their youngsters. – Nathan Schmook
9. The Bombers can get by without their genuine ruckmen
There were plenty of questions about how the Bombers' ruck prospects after Paddy Ryder joined Tom Bellchambers on the injured list last weekend. The Blues had their own problems with Matthew Kreuzer out, which left Robbie Warnock to team with Sam Rowe. Coach Mark Thompson predicted in February that Jake Carlisle and Joe Daniher had a bright future as a forward line combination. On Sunday night, they did more than enough as a ruck pairing. While the Bombers' midfield was in full flight and counteracted any ascendancy the Blues got through Warnock getting first hands to the ball, both Carlisle and Daniher did more than just provide a contest and their work around the ground was far superior to anything the Blues had to offer. - Jennifer Phelan
