1. 18 clans, one voice
This was a round like no other. Setting aside our allegiance and our colours, the game itself took a back seat as the football community mourned the shocking death of Adelaide coach Phil Walsh.

The matches – eight of them, with Sunday's cancelled Crows-Cats clash replaced by a moving commemoration at Adelaide Oval – were marked by the absence of hoopla. There was no pre-game entertainment. No club songs before or after games. We united in the minute's silence and, most memorably, in the coming together of the two competing clubs. Weekend foes stood arm-in-arm after each game to pause, reflect and pay tribute.

The phenomenon spread nationwide, repeated at every level of footy across the country.

It was a tribute particularly worthy for Walsh. A football obsessive like so many of us, he also understood in his all-too-brief time as an AFL coach that his role encompassed the welfare and spectacle of the game as a whole (Patrick Dangerfield v Nat Fyfe being a case in point). To Walsh, coaching meant more than steering Adelaide to the four premiership points each week. 

The sights and sounds (or absence of them) of a game in mourning will remain etched in our memories. In celebration, but also in grief, the AFL community is capable of great things. – Ashley Browne

• RIP Walshy: Fans flock to Adelaide Oval to pay tribute to fallen coach

2. Ablett is back, and he's still the champ
It was 12 weeks between games, but Gary Ablett didn't let us down on his return from shoulder injury. The dual Brownlow medallist started a bit slowly against the tag of Kangaroo Ben Jacobs, but by full-time he had 31 disposals, 11 clearances, three goals and a 55-point win. His presence alone was enough to inspire the Suns, but just as importantly, his performance showed it wouldn't be long before Ablett would again challenge for the mantle of best player in the game. The shoulder is fine and the champ is back – look out opposing teams. - Michael Whiting

3. The Eagles' engine room remains underrated
West Coast's midfield, maligned for several seasons, is now deeper and of higher quality than most of its opponents. Against Melbourne on Saturday night, reigning Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis was relatively quiet with Bernie Vince managing him, while Luke Shuey was subdued too after attracting Jack Viney as a tag. All that meant was Andrew Gaff, Dom Sheed and Chris Masten led the way with 79 disposals between them. With youngster Liam Duggan pushing through and Mark LeCras capable of pinch-hitting there, the Eagles are creating a midfield that will challenge the best in the years ahead. - Peter Ryan

4. St Kilda is closer to a flag than Essendon
The Saints' fifth win of the season, which saw them leapfrog Essendon on the ladder, was symbolic of something bigger. Never mind this season - they could well have leapfrogged the Bombers in each club's chase for their next premiership. More than 12 months ago, St Kilda unveiled a blueprint to win its second flag before 2020. That is not just on track, it could be fast-tracked following the club's best win under Alan Richardson. The Saints had six players on Sunday aged 22 or under, while the Bombers had five. But it was Essendon coach James Hird who recently spoke about how difficult it is to win games when the balance of experience and youth is skewed too far towards youth. At 4-9, it is time for the Bombers to unveil their own blueprint for their next premiership. - Nathan Schmook   

• After the siren: Forget the coach, these Dons are dusted
• Hird insists: I'm still the right man for the job

5. They'll be lining up for free agent Leuenberger
There were concerns for the Lions in the ruck department this week after losing Stefan Martin ahead of a date with Fremantle and Aaron Sandilands. But Matthew Leuenberger put in a phenomenal performance to make a case to be the Lions' definitive number one in the long term. Leuenberger has struggled to entrench himself in the Lions' side this year but he beat Sandilands in the hit-outs through three quarters, eventually being shaded 51-53 as the Dockers stepped up a gear. He also kicked two important goals in what, until Freo's fourth-term spree, was a low-scoring game. Leuenberger becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the season and on his performances in the last two weeks he will attract plenty of attention. - Alex Malcolm

• Who's on the move? Vote on the future of 2015's big-name free agents

6. Scott Pendlebury has returned to his best
As much as Collingwood tried to downplay any injury concerns surrounding their captain in recent weeks, it was clear something had been bothering him. Pendlebury spent a significant portion of the game on the interchange bench in the game against Fremantle last Thursday night, while his impact in recent weeks had not been to the level many expect from the five-time All Australian. However, the Magpies skipper put all that debate aside with a vintage performance his side's 10-point loss to the Hawks on Friday night. Pendlebury gathered 37 disposals (20 contested), 10 tackles, 10 clearances and six inside 50s, with coach Nathan Buckley saying it was "as good as I've seen him play" throughout his 205-game career. - Ben Guthrie

7. The Dogs have unearthed another rising star
Most of the talk about Caleb Daniel before his debut focused on his 167cm stature, and it only took one quarter for the pocket rocket to prove that elite football is still a game for all sizes. Daniel ripped off the green substitute's vest to start the third quarter against Carlton and had an immediate impact, igniting the stagnant Western Bulldogs with his hard-running and ability to find the footy. The South Australian's ability to put himself in the right spot at the right times earned him nine touches for the term – and the helmeted 19-year-old was swamped by teammates after he kicked an important 45m set shot. Daniel finished with 14 touches – six contested – and five marks. He looks a future NAB AFL Rising Star nominee, potentially the ninth in three years at the Kennel. Another tick for the Bulldogs' recruiting team, who swooped on Daniel with pick 46 in last year's draft. - Travis King

8. 'Titch' Edwards still doesn't get the recognition he deserves
Richmond has its quartet of stars, and they deservedly attract plenty of attention. Captain Trent Cotchin, midfielder Dustin Martin, goalkicker Jack Riewoldt and defender Alex Rance take many of the Tiger headlines. All four were again important in the Tigers' come-from-behind win over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday, as was another consistent Richmond player who doesn't quite get the recognition his performances warrant. Edwards had 24 disposals and kicked two goals against the Giants, and gave the club some zip even though they were a bit flat at stages of he sloppy and slippery contest. Edwards may continue to fly under the radar externally, but inside the Tigers he is extremely highly regarded. - Callum Twomey

9. Toby Nankervis is next in line at the Swans
With incumbent ruckman Mike Pyke turning 32 at the start of next season, the Swans will have a close eye on who takes the reins from the bustling Canadian. After Thursday night's impressive debut, Toby Nankervis has one hand on the position when a transition is called for. The strong-bodied 20-year-old is known at the Swans for his physical presence and willingness to challenge senior teammates at training. He took that attitude into Thursday night and added some finesse with a curling left-foot pass to Josh Kennedy with his first kick. A return to the NEAFL is likely with Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett set to resume after their one-week suspensions, but the taste of senior football will be valuable. - Nathan Schmook  

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• Who starred for your club in this weekend's state leagues?