If Tigers fans weren't crowing after Round 4, then they certainly are now.
Richmond improved to 5-0 -- their best start to a season since 1995 -- after coming from 20 points down at three-quarter time to overrun an injury-struck Demons side. Damien Hardwick's side joins Adelaide and Geelong at the pointy end of the ladder as the competition's only unbeaten teams.
For the first time since 2013 Essendon took the honours on Anzac Day, despite a memorable Magpies debut from Daniel Wells. While the Bombers jump to 3-2, Collingwood drops to 1-4 -- the worst start to a season under Nathan Buckley.
For the first time this season, it seems, attention has shifted away from the Hawks who finally chalked up a win. The pressure now moves to John Longmire and Brad Scott after the Swans and Kangaroos both fell to 0-5.
The Western Bulldogs were given an almighty scare in Bob Murphy's 300th match when the plucky Lions raced out to a remarkable 38-point lead midway through the second term. However, a stunning 70-point turnaround in the second half ensured the Bulldogs' favourite son would be able to celebrate his milestone match in style as the reigning premiers picked up a fourth win.
Elsewhere, Port Adelaide bounced back from two narrow losses by humiliating the Blues, Fremantle pulled a rabbit out of the hat in Perth and GWS continues to lurk behind the frontrunners at 4-1.
HEROES:
Robbie Gray: Adelaide Oval may be home to the AFL's best small forward in Eddie Betts, but Robbie Gray is proving he's every bit as valuable to the Power - fitting into the forward line perfectly through the opening rounds of 2017. Against the Blues on Friday night, Gray booted five goals -- as well as four behinds -- and picked up 22 disposals en route to collecting the Peter Badcoe Medal for best afield. The Port star was involved in absolutely everything throughout the match and continually terrified the Blues' back six every time the ball came inside 50. Gray's ball-winning ability combined with his prowess in front of goal makes him one of the competition's most unique and damaging players.
Adelaide's attack: Move over Giants, make way Dogs, there's a new premiership favourite in town. The Crows at 5-0 have been super impressive in 2017 -- led by their star-studded attack -- and continued their hot form on Saturday afternoon by thrashing a reasonably in form Gold Coast side who were searching for a hat-trick of wins. Tom Lynch and Eddie Betts both booted three at Metricon Stadium, while skipper Taylor Walker, Troy Menzel, Charlie Cameron, Andy Otten, Riley Knight and Curtley Hampton each kicked two. The Crows are averaging 133 points per match this season, easily the most in the competition, and if they continue to spread the goal kicking load they're going to be mighty tough to beat. And to think they still have Josh Jenkins and Mitch McGovern to squeeze into the side once they're fit again.
Congrats @rjdouglas26 on 200 great games for @Adelaide_FC Another solid team effort to get our best start in an @AFL season. #weflyasone
— Lleyton Hewitt (@lleytonhewitt) April 22, 2017
Dominant Daniher: The AFL home and away season wouldn't be the same without the iconic Anzac Day clash and once again it lived up to the hype as Essendon outlasted the Magpies in a seesawing MCG encounter. Despite missing a number of chances, Joe Daniher was absolutely superb for the Bombers with three goal assists, eight marks, six inside 50s and three goals -- including a 70m bomb which sparked the Bombers to life in the second half. There was absolutely no disputing who would be named Anzac Day medallist.
VILLAINS:
Travel-sick Eagles: For the second time in 2017, West Coast find themselves on ESPN's villains list after turning in another embarrassing performance at the MCG. The Eagles were belted by 50-points to a previously winless and at times insipid Hawthorn side, dropping to 0-2 at the home of football in 2017. West Coast have now lost six of their past eight matches at the MCG and continue to raise questions about whether or not they're a genuine flag chance. What's perhaps most concerning for the Eagles is their reliance on Josh Kennedy -- no side kicks inside 50 to a player more than West Coast to Kennedy -- and when he's not at his best it often ends in tears. Luckily, West Coast do not play at the MCG again during the home and away season.
North's constant choking: For the first time in 45 years the Kangaroos have started a season 0-5, but gee things could have been so much brighter at Arden Street. North Melbourne have held commanding leads in three of their past four matches -- Round 2 (led Geelong by 32), Round 4 (led Bulldogs by 29), Round 5 (led Fremantle by 29) -- only to be overrun each time. Their senior players in Andrew Swallow and Jack Ziebell fail to stand up late in matches and that was again the case on Saturday night against the Dockers, picking up 15 and 17 disposals respectively and having little impact when it mattered.
The numbers crunch:
North's record (under Brad Scott) in games decided by under a goal: WLLLLLLWLLLLLLWLLL
The Roos have lost 10 consecutive matches and 15 of their last 17.
Only once in his past 72 matches has Andrew Swallow picked up 30+ disposals.
Racial slurs: Sadly, it seems just about every week a new racial controversy emerges in the AFL. Just when it looked as though we had moved on from such derogatory and uncivilised behavior, something else crops up. Footage emerged from Saturday's Bulldogs-Lions match of a man directing racial slurs at a Brisbane trainer who had just conceded a 50m penalty for running through a mark. This type of behaviour is not on, has no place in society or our game.