Richmond are the real deal. After upsetting Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval by 13 points, they’ve certified themselves into the top four. Adversely, the Power are yet to defeat a top eight side this season.

One of football’s greatest images is seeing the ecstasy of a bottom placed side on the final siren when they’ve caused a major upset. Chris Fagan’s troops provided this.

Brisbane players’ lifted their arms like champions as they edged out Essendon by 8 points in one of the ‘feel good’ moments of 2017.

Gary Ablett Jr, arguably the greatest player of all time, celebrated his 300th game in typical Ablett fashion, amassing 37 disposals as the Suns coasted to a 19-point win over North Melbourne.

The first draw of 2017 occurred between GWS and Geelong, decided by Tom Hawkin’s set shot miss after the siren. This game reflected the opening 15 rounds of the season – it’s an even playing field where no team can widen that gap.

THE GOOD

Butler’s bouncing bonanza

Dan Butler bounced his way to one of the goals of the year on Saturday night. It was the defining moment of the match that injected Richmond with the momentum they used to take the lead with.

Butler’s run started from behind the centre circle. At full pace, with two Port players on his tail, he bounced twice, before side stepping an oncoming defender and kicking straight through the goals from 30 meters out. Butler kicked three goals on the night. 

Man of Steele

Dan Butler wasn’t the only one who went on an inspiring run. Jack Steele saved a certain Fremantle goal, chasing down Brennan Cox in a heroic defensive play.

Replays showed that Steele ran 150 metres to apply the tackle and despite being evidently fatigued, was still able drag Cox down. An effort like this would’ve inspired his teammates and been singled out by coach Alan Richardson at the three quarter time huddle. 

Bend it like Buddy

Buddy Franklin put Melbourne to the sword with a trademark bouncing banana goal in the fourth quarter. Tucked away on the boundary, he craftily kicked the ball on the outside to ensure it would bounce back in through the goals.

Franklin’s four goal outing puts him equal first on the season goal kicking tally. The resurrection of Sydney’s season has been astounding. After sitting 0-6, they’ve won seven of their past eight games and are now 7-7. The form team of the completion, Sydney sits just one win outside the top eight.

THE BAD

Interchange nightmare

It has become notorious in the modern game for a player who kicks a goal to instantly interchange himself. In this instance, it was the moment that may have cost GWS the game and could alter the way interchanges’ function forever.

Jonathon Patton equalised the scoreboard against Geelong after booting his fourth major with just under seven minutes remaining in the game. He immediately sprinted for the bench.

Subsequently, Patton was unable to get back on the ground for five minutes. He was visibly frustrated, standing by the boundary line waiting to come back on. Meanwhile, GWS lacked a strong, marking presence up forward despite accumulating a multitude of inside 50s.

Roo’s invaluable… experience?

Nick Riewoldt tricked an umpire into giving St Kilda a 50-metre penalty late in the game against Fremantle. It was both cunning and unethical.

After teammate Tim Membrey marked, Riewoldt commanded for Fremantle youngster Griffin Logue pass it to him. Riewoldt evaded the pass, creating the illusion that Logue had thrown the ball away, prompting the umpire to pay the penalty.

A former Saints fan, Logue’s profile on Fremantle's official website lists Nick Riewoldt as ‘the player from another club you most like to watch.’ Perhaps that explains this mishap.

Master vs. apprentice

Sam Powell-Pepper was taught a football lesson on Saturday night against the very player he’s been compared to in his first season – Dustin Martin.

Powell-Pepper used Martin’s infamous ‘don’t argue’ move against him in the fourth term. Moments later, Martin gave back his trademark move to the mini raging bull, orchestrating Richmond’s match sealing goal.

Martin broke the record for the most ever broken tackles in a game with eight on the weekend.

THE UGLY

Buggered off

In the opening moments of Friday night’s game, Tomas Bugg clocked Callum Mills’ head in a nasty incident that left him concussed. He was unable to return to the game.

It has caused a widespread uproar from the media and AFL greats alike, many labelling the incident ‘thuggery’ and calls for the re-introduction of the red card system. Bugg will face a lengthy suspension of up to six weeks from the AFL tribunal. 

Love him or hate him, Bugg is football’s greatest aggressor, but now he must face the music.