Another up and down weekend has been added to this remarkable year and with only three rounds remaining in the home and away season, the top eight is still as confusing as ever.
With the opening round of the game we saw a revamped Sydney Swans outfit run rings around the Danger-less Cats. The signs in Geelong don't look great as Joel Selwood limped off after rolling his ankle and the match review panel will have a few words for Tom Hawkins and Mitch Duncan.
On a Super Saturday of action, the Demons may have played the Giants back into form with a dismal display that has pushed them out of the top eight. In the game of the round, the Bombers managed to squeak out a win against a never-say-die Blues outfit, thanks in large part to Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.
The bottom-placed Brisbane Lions almost toppled the Western Bulldogs in front of their home crowd but the win elevates the Dogs into the eight for the first time since Round 12. It wasn't a Saturday night for close encounters as the Pies demolished North to the tune of nine goals while Freo handed the Suns their fifth straight loss.
In a day laden with finals ramifications, the Saints edged out the Eagles to keep their chances alive, the Tigers all but ended the Hawks hopes with a resounding win at the MCG and Adelaide reinforced their premiership bonafides with a crushing win against an insipid Power.
Heroes
A new Dynamic Duo: Plenty of talk surrounding the best duo in the league of late with Joel Selwood/Patrick Dangerfield and Trent Cotchin/Dustin Martin battling for the right to be the best pair in the league, but has a new contender emerged of late? Take your pick of the below:
Duo A: 49 disposals per game, 10 marks, 8.7 tackles, 6 clearances, 3 goals, 225.7 SuperCoach points
Duo B: 57 disposals, 8.3 marks, 6.3 tackles, 12.3 clearances, 2 goals, 234.7 SuperCoach points
Duo C: 57.3 disposals, 13 marks, 10.7 tackles, 14 clearances, 1.3 goals, 242.7 SuperCoach points
Those averages come from the duos' past three outings together and while hard to separate, Duo C have shown that they're a force to be reckoned with and are not only deserving of a spot in the discussion, they might be the first option. Who are they you ask? None other than Nat Fyfe and Lachie Neale. Duo A being Dangerwood while B is Martin and Cotchin.
Walla: With so much to play for against the Blues, the Bombers looked flat. After making most of the early running, they suddenly allowed Carlton to turn the tide towards the end of the third quarter and it looked as if the Blues were going to pull off the upset. A matchwinner was required and that's when Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti stood tall. He kicked two of the final three Bombers' goals of the game, the last a match-winning run through the middle of the ground which was electrifying. Every team needs a game-breaker and the Bombers have uncovered one. He also just happens to be one of the game's most exciting players right now.
Jack Billings: Billings' inability to convert in front of goal has hurt the Saints on more than one occasion this year, with the dynamic forward booting 17.26 before Sunday's clash against West Coast. The 2013 No. 3 draft pick has lifted his game in so many areas during this breakout season but Billings' wastefulness in front of goal has caused immense frustration for all St Kilda fans. On Sunday, he repaid the faith. Billings booted two goals in a frenetic final term, one after a brilliant mark, and one the sealer from a tight angle that ensured a victory for the Saints that also kept their finals hopes alive.
Villains
Punches: It's been highlighted excessively of late and yet players continue to throw errant fists into opponents. This round saw far more than usual with Tom Hawkins, Mitch Duncan and Zach Merrett likely to face sanctions from the match review panel this week. People may be talking about Sydney's Tom Papley potentially diving, however Duncan throwing a fist should be the only talking point. It's a silly and selfish act that only hurts your team as the Cats will now likely be without two key players for next weekend. How about just focusing on playing footy and leaving the punching for the mits on the training track?
Dismal Demons: After a Round 14 win, Melbourne sat fifth on the ladder and had won their past four games with finals looking like a certainty. Since that time they've lost four out of six and now sit in 10th on the ladder. While finals are still in play, the manner in which the Demons have played is a major cause for concern. In their four losses, they've averaged a woeful 63.5 points per game. With three matches remaining, the Dees need to find their form in a hurry if they hope to extend their season.
Even more dismal Power: Sunday's Showdown between Adelaide and Port Adelaide was supposed to be one of the games of the season. Two possible top-four finishers, traditional rivals, so much on the line ... but instead it was a fizzer as the Crows flexed their impressive muscles and the Power were sent packing with barely a whimper. Nearly every major stat was shocking from a Power point of view - the 84-point loss was the biggest margin in Showdown in history, Port lost the inside-50 count by a record 50 (81-31), were smashed in contested possessions (-46) while the Crows were able to generate a mammoth 40 scoring shots to 11. "It was unacceptable. We got smashed everywhere," coach Ken Hinkley said post-match. It was an understatement.