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.

McGovern saves the day

Marks don’t come much bigger than Mitch McGovern’s colossal clunk in a pack of nearly 10 players. Jake Kelly kicked the ball inside 50 with four seconds remaining in a last roll of the dice moment, which McGovern was up for, no pun intended. McGovern scored the goal after the siren to equalize the scores at the MCG in a true tale of two halves. Collingwood led by as many as 50 points in the third quarter after dominating the first half, but the Crows stormed home through elite rebound play to set up a theatrical ending.

The atmosphere was electric for a crowd of just 33,269 at the MCG. Collingwood fans were left devastated while Crows fans can rejoice at the fact that they’re side have a deadly third gear they are capable of reaching.
 

THE BAD

Shaw as hell

Heath Shaw was shown grilling teammate Aidan Corr moments after the siren following his side’s narrow 12-point triumph over Fremantle. His act was untoward considering GWS had just secured the victory.

Footy players and coaches have rare moments of joy, especially on the field and Shaw should’ve bit his tongue and spared the spray.

Shaw’s hostility and aggression ultimately pushed him out of Collingwood and it would be a shame if it somehow cost him success at GWS.

Pucker down

Spare the spray and definitely spare the smooch. Hawthorn’s Will Langford heckled and even kissed Swans veteran Jarrad McVeigh during their clash on Friday night.

McVeigh labelled the act "disrespectful" in what was a vigorous and physical game, which Langford claimed he was "just trying to keep it lighthearted out there."

Luke Hodge famously kissed Buddy Franklin in the 2014 Grand Final, Langford may want to build up his resume more like Hodge’s before he uses such tactics on a star like McVeigh.

Till the fat lady sings

Port Adelaide fans were seen heading for the exits at Adelaide Oval with their side down 10 points with two minutes remaining. Fans leaving games early is a bad look, no matter the state of the scoreboard.

It reminded you of that iconic NBA moment in 2004 when Rockets fans prematurely left the Toyota Center with their team trailing San Antonio late in the game. Tracy McGrady became a basketball god, scoring 13 points in 33 seconds to secure a famous comeback victory.

Just like the Rockets, the Power stunned their own fans after winning on the final siren thanks to a methodical play where Paddy Ryder tapped the ball over his head to set up Robbie Gray’s booming goal from 50 meters out.

THE UGLY

Dusty’s brownlow?

Brownlow medal favourite Patrick Dangerfield faces a one-week suspension after violently slinging Matthew Kreuzer to the ground in a tackle. Kreuzer left the game facing a possible concussion.

Dangerfield's tackle was graded as careless conduct with medium impact to the head. Should Geelong accept the ban, Dangerfield will be disqualified to win this year’s Brownlow.

The AFL made a strong stance of removing sling tackles from the game in the past few years and many players before Dangerfield have been suspended for similar incidents. The Cats have until 11am Tuesday to notify the AFL if they wish to challenge the ruling at the tribunal.