Fans could hold their breath between round’s five and six, with just three days separating them.

Adelaide remains the last team undefeated, surging to 6-0 after a grueling 76-point hiding of the previously unbeaten Richmond.

We’ll learn more about the Tigers in their enthusing matchup with the Western Bulldogs next week. 

What’s worse than losing five straight games to start the season? Being 0-6 and losing to a rebuilding Carlton side that many predict will finish in the bottom four.

Sydney are the last winless side in the competition and their finals prospects plunged further at the MCG on Saturday.  

Josh J. Kennedy again reigns as the leading league goal kicker with 22. Only just trailing is Eddie Betts, tied with two Giants, Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene, on 20 a piece.

Rory Sloane will be leading the Brownlow Medal count. The form player of competition is averaging 29.5 disposals, 9.7 tackles and 1.3 goals, all career-highs.

THE GOOD

The Little Master

Gary Ablett’s career was written off by many a couple of weeks into the season. He appeared unconditioned and out of touch. But you can’t keep a good man down, or in this case, a champion.

Ablett is one of the all-time greats and he asserted that on Saturday night, leading the Suns sensationally. He boasted a staggering statline, including 45 disposals, 9 tackles, 10 inside 50s, 1 goal and a career-best 18 clearances.

Whilst his side went down by 13 points to a brave North Melbourne, Ablett nearly single handily drove a Gold Coast comeback. The 32-year old plays his 300th game later in the season.

The battle of the Western

The 2000s have held some prodigious rivalries. First there was Sydney v West Coast, then Geelong v Hawthorn, now this.

Fans were treated to a tantalizing preliminary final re-match between the Western Bulldogs and GWS on Friday night, a modern day rivalry dubbed the ‘battle of the Western’.

In this case, the sequel was just as good as the original. The Giants claimed a narrow two-point victory as the competition heavyweights’ butted heads in a back and forth blockbuster. Till next time.

Simpson and his Docherty

Kade Simpson and Sam Docherty were both enormous for Carlton in their exuberating 19-point triumph over Sydney. They combined for 70 disposals, 24 marks, 12 tackles and 1 goal.

They defend like modern day goalkeepers. Every time Sydney attacked, they would be waiting for the intercept mark, slingshotting Carlton back the other way.

It was the best game of Docherty’s young career, whilst the ageless Simpson is still as savvy as they come.  

THE BAD

Dangerwood

Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield had their worst combined performances to date. Selwood, who was coming off a career-best 43 disposals, was largely nullified by Collingwood’s Levi Greenwood, finishing with just 17. It was his lowest tally since round 12, 2015.

Dangerfield registered 21 disposals and was well below his best as Geelong’s undefeated streak ended at the hands of an inspired Collingwood outfit.

The Pies were written off after a crushing Anzac Day loss to Essendon just five days earlier, but produced their best performance of the season, winning by 29 points at the MCG.

Hero to zero

Joe Daniher was brilliant against Collingwood on Tuesday, capping off Essendon’s resounding win with an Anzac Day medal to his name. 

He played brilliantly against Melbourne too, finishing with 17 disposals, 13 marks and 1 goal. However, that 1 goal was blemished by an additional 6 behinds.

Given Essendon lost by 38 points to Melbourne, Daniher could well have changed the result off his own boot. Daniher must remedy his goal kicking to become a truly elite forward of the competition. 

Out cold

Hearts were in mouths at the MCG after Gary Rohan’s sickening landing following a failed mark attempt. Rohan was planted on his head and was stretchered off and hospitalized.

Play was delayed for five minutes as an array of silence stunned the arena. The luckless Swan has been cleared of serious damage, but continues to be hampered with injuries.

THE UGLY

Bruce’s bolt from the blue 

In an otherwise conquering day for St Kilda, spearhead Josh Bruce would like to have his time over in one particular incident.

The wide open Bruce received a handball at the edge of the goal square, before running further towards goal and spaying the ball into the post, less than five meters out.

Luckily for Bruce, the Saints were up by 60 points at this stage, however, the miss has been declared ‘the worst in AFL history’ by Kevin Bartlett.