We are still not even halfway through the 2017 home and away season and yet it would seem (amazingly) we are putting a line through Sydney.
The Swans -- who dropped their opening six games before bouncing back with three wins on the trot -- were handed another unexpected loss thanks to a clutch Jarryd Roughead goal at the SCG. It would take a miracle for them to secure a finals berth now.
Richmond fans found their voice once again after the Tigers finally shook off some final quarter nerves to edge the Bombers in a Dreamtime classic, the most attended Saturday night home and away match in history.
Saturday night also saw the Crows return to their dominant best with a 100-point belting of the Dockers. Rory Sloane did his Brownlow chances no harm with a superb 30 disposal, 13 tackle and two goal game.
Elsewhere, Geelong snatched a thrilling win over the Power, Collingwood survived a Lion scare while the Giants finally scored a win over the Eagles.
HEROES
Brilliant Buddy: His side may not have won, but Lance Franklin re-staked his claim as the league's best footballer after a breathtaking display at the SCG on Friday night. Buddy was involved in absolutely everything forward of centre for Sydney, kicking five goals and owning 11 score involvements in a performance which fittingly came in Indigenous Round. His third goal on the night saw him climb into the top 10 goalkickers of all time. Can he get to the 1,000 mark?
Thursday footy: What. A. Match. If we get games half as good as the epic between Geelong and Port Adelaide then Thursday night footy may have to become a regular on the AFL fixture. It was a highly ferocious, see-sawing encounter that just had to be decided by a moment of brilliance from Patrick Dangerfield. The 2016 Brownlow Medallist picked up 24 disposals and booted three goals to go along with eight tackles -- including two which were critical in the fourth quarter. Tom Stewart also deserves a special mention for halving a one-on-one contest with Robbie Gray in the dying seconds, even if it was a borderline free kick.
Danger does, what Danger does best. #AFLCatsPower pic.twitter.com/kLyITQpRBL
— AFL (@AFL) May 25, 2017
Brotherly love: Take a bow, Matt and Brad. The dynamic Crouch brothers played arguably their best combined game for the Crows as the ladder leaders flogged Fremantle to the tune of 100 points on Saturday night. The pair combined for 65 disposals, 13 clearances (including nine from the centre), 12 tackles and 11 inside 50s. It's been well documented that Adelaide's one glaring weakness is their lack of midfield depth, but if these two can fire consistently then the Crows are in with a real chance come September.
VILLAINS
Dreadful Dockers: Need we say more? In almost torrential rain, Fremantle -- a side that had been gathering momentum over the past three weeks -- were brought back down to Earth in what can only be described as one of the club's worst ever performances against Adelaide and one that will certainly have everyone questioning if they are a serious finals contender.
Lyon: We're bitterly disappointed, we need to respond and regroup #foreverfreo
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) May 27, 2017
The numbers crunch:
It was the first time a Ross Lyon coached side has been beaten by 100+ points.
Adelaide had 30 more scoring shots than Fremantle and 32 more inside 50s.
The Dockers' last 100 point loss came in Round 21, 2010 against the Hawks.
St Kilda's reliance on Nick: Do the Saints have a talented list? Yes. Are they a genuine flag contender? Possibly. Are they too reliant on their inspiration leader Nick Riewoldt? Definitely. The Saints -- who were convincingly beaten by the Swans last week -- suffered a second consecutive deflating loss, going down to the Bulldogs by 40 points. What was evident was just how much they missed Riewoldt's link up play and scoring ability as they managed just seven goals for the match and failed to rally when the Dogs began to pull away.
Out-of-sorts Lions mid: Daniel Rich has got to be one of the most frustrating players in the league. He always teased us with his ability but has never really delivered and on Sunday he turned in another shocker against the Magpies. Rich picked up just 14 touches and made five turnovers which will have Chris Fagan pulling his hair out. A moment which summed up his match, and maybe even his career, came in the second term when he took a courageous mark in the defensive 50 before playing on, running straight into four Collingwood players and coughing up a goal. Dayne Beams and Dayne Zorko are doing their bit, they need Rich to step up.