The weekend opened in emphatic fashion, with Hawthorn downing Sydney and halting their eight-game winning streak. Hawthorn was also the most recent team to defeat Sydney back in Round 10.

Two other games were decided by less than a kick, while literally nothing separated Collingwood and Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.

The top three sides have all endured draws and exposed their flaws at times this season, proving how even the competition is. West Coast stormed back into the top eight after burying Brisbane and the Bulldogs claimed a critical four points off Essendon to salvage their finals credentials.

It’d take a minor miracle for Hawthorn or St Kilda to claim a finals position from here, but it isn’t impossible.
 

THE GOOD

New kids on the block

It’s a new era of forwards. The Josh Kennedy's, Jack Riewoldt's and Eddie Betts' of the world have had cameo appearances on the AFL stage compared to Joe Daniher and Ben Brown this season.

Brown kicked four goals against Melbourne and assisted North Melbourne’s shock four-point victory in Tasmania, whacking suggestions that the Kangaroos are tanking.

Joe Daniher kicked a career-high bag of six against the Bulldogs to take him to the top of the Coleman race with 53 majors this season. Brown trails in equal second place with Buddy Franklin on 51.

Lonergan’s bravery

Tom Lonergan’s defensive prowess is big, but his heart is even bigger, playing with just one kidney. With his side up 43 points, he courageously went back into a contest to cop all 103 kilos of Levi Casboult’s driving force into his back.

Flashback to Round 21, 2006 when Lonergan lost one of his kidneys in a game against Melbourne and it’s amazing to consider he still plays as boldly as he does.

“Because he’s only got one left, it’s a significant risk to play on because, if he copped a hit to the other kidney and had it removed he would have to rely on dialysis,” said Dr Peter Larkins following his original injury in 2006.