The Western Bulldogs are a shadow of their 2016 premiership version, they barely got close to Sydney in their clash on Thursday, losing by 46 points. 

Interestingly, the refreshed Brisbane and Carlton, who were heavily unfavoured in their matchups, won against the unrested Fremantle and GWS.

Melbourne surged back into the top eight, defeating a gallant Collingwood by four points in their annual Queen’s Birthday clash in front of over 70,000 people at the MCG. 

The only team to lose coming off the bye was St Kilda, who travelled to Adelaide to play the Crows. The AFL must be careful with their fixturing of the bye Rounds moving forward.

Adelaide are once again kings of the table with a league best percentage of 141.75. You have to wonder how long it will last given the way the erratic season has unfolded.

THE GOOD

Milestone man fit and firing

Matthew Kreuzer’s 150-game career has been plagued by injuries, playing 20 games or more in just four of his 10 seasons.

Drafted with the first pick of the 2007 National Draft, Carlton picked Kreuzer ahead of Trent Cotchin, Patrick Dangerfield and Alex Rance.

He’s now justifying that selection, averaging career-highs in disposals, tackles and hitouts in 2017. He outdueled Shane Mumford and monstered the Giants with 21 disposals, 6 marks, 8 tackles, 33 hitouts and 1 goal on the weekend.

He is the in-form ruckman of the competition and pressing his case for All-Australian selection.

Walla’s wizardry

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s highlight reel was in full flight on Saturday night. First came his best Gary Moorcraft impression, dropping a goal of the year contender on Jack Hombsch‘s head in the goalsquare.

Then came one of the goals of the season. The Tiwi Island native outclassed Hamish Hartlett in the forward pocket to keep the ball in, before kicking a banana goal to put an exclamation point on Essendon’s big night. 

Howe in the heavens

Jeremy Howe seems to take mark of the year every week, but this was something special. A Melbourne kick in to a big pack created the perfect stage for the high flyer.

The ex-Demon leaped onto Tom McDonald’s shoulders, then further propelled himself to take the mark. Howe displays hops that would even challenge the most athletic NBA players.