1. Essendon's season was effectively over in mid-May

We are continually told how long the AFL season is, but a slow start inevitably – unless you're Sydney, circa 2017, or the barnstorming 2013 Tigers – comes back to bite you. The Bombers were incessantly hyped in the pre-season, after pulling off the triple-treat recruiting coup of Devon Smith, Jake Stringer and Adam Saad and sneaking into finals last year. Coach John Worsfold even extended his Tullamarine stay by two years after a rousing round one victory over Adelaide. But Essendon was 2-6 seven rounds later, with two of the club's three 2017 All Australians – Joe Daniher and Zach Merrett – among those to fail to live up to expectations. Daniher kicked only eight goals in seven games before sustaining a groin injury that may keep him on the shelf for the rest of the season. As for Merrett, he's returned to his best, but won fewer than 20 disposals in four of the first eight matches. It is unfair to lay blame only at their feet and the Bombers' struggles go far beyond them. But it's a major shame to belatedly see them matching the best sides when their finals chances are as good as over. Worsfold says it's not a wasted season and they can still get something out of it, but it's hard not to view it that way. - Marc McGowan

2. Jeremy McGovern is wasted in attack

Yes, West Coast's forward line is decimated and, yes, McGovern is the Eagles' best contested mark but Sunday's clash with Greater Western Sydney underlined exactly why Adam Simpson should leave his star intercept defender where he does his best work. Too often McGovern gets caught out of position playing forward of the ball and although he provides a contest, so can Nic Naitanui, Scott Lycett and Nathan Vardy, or even debutant Oscar Allen. Without McGovern patrolling the half-back line, the Eagles looked vulnerable in the air and robbed themselves of one of their greatest strengths for almost no reward. McGovern had only two handballs and no marks at half-time, and although he kicked a goal in the third quarter (and snared two majors last round against Adelaide), his influence on the contest is significantly diminished up forward. Fortunately, the experiment might be over with Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling potentially in the mix to face Collingwood next round. - Travis King

3. Luck of the Irish can turn the Swans' horror week around

Mid-week only Isaac Heeney (concussion), Tom Papley (hip) and Sam Reid (NEAFL) were missing from Sydney's best available 22 in 2018. Then Lewis Melican (hamstring) went down at training, Jarrad McVeigh (collarbone), Kieren Jack (knee) and Dan Hannebery (calf) followed against Geelong, and Reid (Achilles) lasted five minutes in the twos. They need some dash off half-back, and Irishman Colin O'Riordan is ready to debut. He's averaged 28.7 possessions per game this season, and finished with 39 touches, 12 marks, and two goals against the Giants on Saturday. Timing is everything in footy, and it's time to pull the trigger and let the 22-year-old from County Tipperary bring his dash to the AFL. Surely Tadhg Kennelly has already knocked on John Longmire's door? - Adam Curley

FROM THE TWOS Irish Swan presses his claims for debut

4. The smaller the better for Simon Goodwin

Yes, it was Fremantle, it was slippery, and the Demons only managed 13 majors. But 37 scoring shots from 78 inside 50s against the Dockers must make Simon Goodwin stick with two talls and plenty of crumbers in attack. The inclusion of Jeff Garlett and Charlie Spargo – playing together for the first time – brought intensity and pressure, the Demons laying a season-high 26 tackles in their forward 50. Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca offered plenty as resting forwards, Bayley Fritsch impressed as a high half-forward and Jesse Hogan and Tom McDonald played where they should be – closer to home. Dropped duo Sam Weideman and Mitch Hannan will need to bang down the door in the VFL to force their way in. - Mitch Cleary

5. Charlie Curnow needs some help – now

There was a litany of problems with Carlton's performance on Saturday but perhaps the starkest was its inefficiency inside forward 50. Despite being outworked inside and outside the contest, the Blues generated more inside 50s (51-49) than the Lions, but rarely looked threatening. With young star Charlie Curnow almost always the sole target, Darcy Gardiner took his space and got great assistance from a zoning Luke Hodge. It was two-on-one most of the day. Brendon Bolton will point to Andrew Phillips' early injury forcing a move for Sam Rowe to go forward – and he has a point – but surely it's time for Harry McKay to add to his eight career games. - Michael Whiting

FANTASY FORM WATCH A new premier forward?

6. Don't sleep on Ben Stratton

James Sicily is the headline act of the Hawthorn backline this year and he was both brilliant and exasperating at the same time against the Bulldogs on Saturday night. But the defensive MVP for the Hawks this year has been Ben Stratton. The 29-year-old has been the general of the Hawthorn back six, and a feature of his season has been his ability to play both tall and small. He complements Sicily beautifully and while Sicily's intercept marking and rebounding is his strength, Stratton is a superb spoiler and is outstanding when the ball hits the ground. Stratton was one of several Hawks whose hunger was in question following the three-peat, but he has been rejuvenated and has relished the step up in responsibility with the departures of Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson and the prolonged absence of Grant Birchall. - Ashley Browne

7. The Tigers need to keep Jayden Short

Short played 16 games last year but didn’t feature in Richmond’s breakthrough premiership side. However should the Tigers make it back to the Grand Final, and Friday's win over Adelaide showed again why that seems a very likely case, then Short should be there. The Tiger brings genuine run and carry to their line-up and is having an excellent season. He picked up 25 disposals and kicked a goal against the Crows. Short is among a big group of Tigers out of contract this season and the parties are some way apart in terms of what his value should be at the club. But Richmond should make his signature a priority. - Callum Twomey

8. North's Coleman leader has the rest of the comp on the run 

Ben Brown moved seven goals clear of Lance Franklin in the race for the Coleman Medal on Sunday. However, it was perhaps the other side of his game that warrants just as much praise. Brad Scott credited Brown for his work ethic after North Melbourne's 37-point victory over Gold Coast, revealing that Brown is just about the best endurance runner at the club. Having kicked three goals early against the Suns, he was double-teamed for much of the match. But he continued to lead, often creating more space for the likes of Jack Ziebell and Majak Daw. The big North Melbourne forward finished with four goals for the match. But as Scott said afterwards, this one was just as important as any six or seven-goal display. - Riley Beveridge

THE RUN HOME How the contenders are shaping up

9. Motlop is a very important piece of the Power's midfield

There were plenty of question marks about Port Adelaide's recruitment of Geelong speedster Steven Motlop at the end of last season. Motlop's best is very good, but he often had quiet games for the Cats. However, the Power's move has been justified. Motlop's influence with his outside run and ability to hit targets inside 50 were crucial in the Power's 36-point win against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Motlop finished the game with 28 disposals (22 of them uncontested), seven inside 50s and seven rebound 50s. His experience will also be vital during the Power's finals campaign and push towards a premiership. - Lee Gaskin