• Fantasy form watch: This week's pig and Presti
• Around the state leagues: Key Pie flies, Hawk hamstrung
• After the siren: The win that saved a season

1. The Crows can win without Patrick Dangerfield
Dangerfield's a superstar – but if Adelaide's performance against Melbourne on Saturday is any indication, the Crows will be OK without him if he decides to leave at season's end. The midfielder was tagged more or less out of the game by a fired-up Bernie Vince but a host of players stood up to lead the Crows home. Rory Sloane was superb, as were Richard Douglas and David Mackay. Cam Ellis-Yolmen played his best AFL game too. With Brad and Matt Crouch also around the Crows' midfield would do just fine without Danger next year if it had to. - Harry Thring

2. Not even a mid-season draft could save West Coast
The Eagles' defence has been decimated by injury, and their woes may worsen after Sunday's shellacking at the hands of cross-town rivals Fremantle. Following the losses of key defenders Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown, Jeremy McGovern was subbed out of the derby with a knee problem.

But the Eagles' issues run deeper than just injuries. They were uncompetitive in the midfield in an utterly one-sided opening term which allowed the Dockers to cruise after quarter time. They were smashed in contested possessions and clearances. Coach Adam Simpson has stated that being competitive in contested situations is a non-negotiable. No failsafe draft or trade period can fix that deficiency. – Alex Malcolm

3. The Saints have a pressing problem 
Coach Alan Richardson wants to teach his players a game-plan that will consistently win them matches in the future. The problem now, however, is they don't have the muscle to pull it off. It involves pressing up the ground when they have the ball deep in attack, and it leaves them vulnerable on the turnover if their opponents win the contest and get the ball out cleanly. Collingwood scored a number of goals using quick transition on Friday night, which Richardson conceded made his team look like it was pressing up and attacking too hard. After quarter time they were regularly beaten in the contest (139-114), which resulted in them conceding a massive 66 inside 50s to 25. – Nathan Schmook  

4. Rebuilding doesn't mean rolling over for Carlton
Mick Malthouse is adamant Carlton won't hand out games to young Blues just because the club is rebuilding, and the players clearly haven't given up on the season. A pattern was emerging for the Blues midway through their round-three loss to Essendon – a bright start followed by a fadeout. Only this time, Carlton refused to lie down. Malthouse's men rallied from a 41-point deficit and if not for some inaccurate kicking and poor decision-making could have given the Bombers a huge scare. There were promising signs with fifth-gamer Patrick Cripps (22 disposals) and Irish debutant Ciaran Byrne, and a win in New Zealand over St Kilda is a realistic aim on Anzac Day. – Travis King

5. The Cats' finals chances are in young hands
After declaring during the week he was sick of the past, coach Chris Scott got a glimpse of what the present looks like for Geelong. In Sunday's first half, the Cats were shaky, fumbly and looking like a team coming towards the end of their tether. But with captain Joel Selwood riding shotgun, it was a couple of Geelong's youngsters who stepped up in a big way to help get their side over the line. Pint-sized forward Cory Gregson had his best game at AFL level with 21 touches, while versatile big man Mark Blicavs delivered a clutch goal to seal the win. Blicavs has become a fixture in Geelong's side thanks to his ability to do a bit of everything. And with Jimmy Bartel, Mathew Stokes and Tom Lonergan likely to be missing in the near future, more of the Cats' youngsters will need to follow suit and take their chance if their side is going to play finals. – Ben Guthrie

6. Dan Hannebery is an elite midfielder once again 
An All Australian the previous season, 2014 was a tough year for one of the Swans' most consistent on-ballers. The 2012 premiership star finished outside the top 10 in the Bob Skilton Medal after missing six games with an ankle injury, but he has started this season on a tear. Hannebery had 12 possessions in the opening term against GWS in the Sydney derby, and finished with a season-high 34 plus eight clearances to be a worthy winner of the Brett Kirk Medal for best on ground. Hannebery proved he's back to his best against the Giants. – Adam Curley

7. Tiger Ben Griffiths is a perfect forward foil
After six seasons working on his craft, Griffiths looks right at home at AFL level. The 200cm forward/ruck was a regular in the 2014 Tigers outfit, playing 16 of his 38 career games, and appears to have taken another step forward early this season. Against the Lions he finished with 19 disposals, 10 marks and 2.2, playing a perfect foil to regular full-forward Jack Riewoldt. Griffiths works hard, presents well up the ground and provides a strong marking target closer to goal. With Riewoldt and Griffiths kicking six goals between them and providing dangerous focal points, the smaller Richmond forwards and midfielders were also able to profit. – Michael Whiting

8. Redemption beckons for Nathan Krakouer
Port Adelaide was bitterly disappointed when Krakouer left to join Gold Coast as one of the expansion club's uncontracted player concessions at the end of 2010. At the time, Krakouer had played just 40 games after being drafted at pick No.39 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, but the injury-prone speedster finally looked ready to deliver on his potential. The Suns did not see the best of Krakouer either, with the defender playing just 13 games in one season before walking away from AFL football. Krakouer eventually rediscovered his love of the game and earned a second chance at Port with a strong 2014 season with its Magpies SANFL team. In his first AFL game in nearly four years, Krakouer showed against North Melbourne that Port's gamble could pay off. Although not one of the Power's best players, Krakouer's 17 possessions, five rebound 50s and three inside 50s suggested he could cement a regular senior spot with the top-four contender. Krakouer does not turn 27 until May either, so he could yet leave a lasting legacy at Alberton Oval. – Nick Bowen

9. Brendan Whitecross never holds back
While he didn't light up the stats sheet like his 44-touch skipper Luke Hodge, Brendan Whitecross won't forget his latest trip to Launceston in a hurry.

The nuggety Hawk utility returned to AFL action for the first time since the 2013 preliminary final when he ran out against the Bulldogs at Aurora Stadium and it didn't take long to see why the Hawks were so happy to have him back in the brown and gold. Despite collecting just 12 disposals, Whitecross repeatedly put his body on the line in the contest, wearing a couple of heavy knocks that didn't escape the attention of Alastair Clarkson, who reserved a special post-match mention for the much-loved Hawk in number 11. – Stu Warren