Spherical eight of the AFL season is within the books, and it was definitely each narrative heavy and continued to play havoc with everyone’s suggestions.
It is getting more durable to belief kind strains, with Sydney and Geelong shortly turning their struggles round to beat high quality opponents, whereas Carlton and Port Adelaide let profitable streaks evaporate.
Listed here are 5 takeaways from the weekend’s outcomes:
READ MORE: Drastic name Port should take into account after ‘alarming’ losses
READ MORE: ‘Seems to be heavy’: Powerful name Pies should make on flag tilting wildcard
READ MORE: ‘Crippling’ hit lamented by Giants as Swan fears ban
Patrick Dangerfield has been a pleasure to observe in 2025 Getty
Patrick Dangerfield cementing legendary standing with last profession arc
Patrick Dangerfield did not must play a sport in 2025 to safe his legacy as a Corridor of Famer, however what he’s doing as a mostly-permanent ahead is one thing to behold.
The 35-year-old has kicked 16 targets throughout eight video games, to go together with 17.4 disposals per sport, however it’s his energy and burst that’s harking back to the Brownlow Medallist at his peak.
He turned again the clock towards Collingwood, discovering 29 disposals to go together with two objective assists and was arguably greatest on floor. Final week towards Carlton he smashed a pack open within the fourth quarter with ferocity few others may replicate at any age.
It is nonetheless early within the season and the Cats will definitely handle their captain’s workload, however Dangerfield with the ability to impression the sport like this within the last part of his profession is kind of the premiership wildcard.
Champion midfielders ending their careers as forwards will not be a brand new trope, and whereas it has well-known successes like Gary Ablett Jr, Dustin Martin and Leigh Matthews, usually it tends to only be a means of phasing out a star.
Not for Dangerfield, who’s as soon as once more reminding folks why he deserves to be on the rostrum when discussing the most effective gamers within the competitors since 2015.
Luke Beveridge has the Bulldogs buzzing Getty
Bulldogs now in awkward Bevo limbo
The Bulldogs sit fifth on the ladder after eight video games, boast a share of 127 and proceed to beat key accidents to supply outcomes like their 90-point win over Port Adelaide in Ballarat.
So … what do they do with Luke Beveridge? They clearly needed to attend till in the course of the season to make a name on the premiership coach, given the inconsistent finishes the membership has had because the 2021 grand last, however they now discover themselves in a clumsy spot.
The Energy in 2023 have been on this very same state of affairs and opted to increase coach Ken Hinkley by two years in August … earlier than the membership fell aside within the finals, going out in straight units. Now, they’re set to maneuver on from Hinkley on the finish of 2025 after they probably would have again then, had they waited a couple of further weeks.
Would it not be making the identical mistake for the Canines to maneuver now given not solely their kind, however Beveridge’s potential to cowl the absence of star gamers constantly and the vitality the group is clearly enjoying with? Or is it the correct name to lock him in long run and get it out of the way in which?
Beveridge has acknowledged he will not be teaching wherever in 2026 if it isn’t on the Bulldogs, so the ball is effectively and really of their courtroom, however they might really feel a bit damned in the event that they do, damned if they do not.
Freo gamers go away the sphere following the loss to St Kilda AFL Photographs through Getty Pictures
Freo’s record is much too good to be this dour on the street
The facet Fremantle placed on the park on Friday night time towards St Kilda needed for nothing. Two rising star key forwards, quite a few small ahead threats, a trio of dominant midfielders, two of the sport’s highest paid ruckmen and a rock strong backline of confirmed veterans.
Whereas they’ve a couple of gamers on their harm record, you can argue that they had all of their key personnel on the market towards the Saints, and nonetheless someway managed solely 33 factors.
The Dockers love coach Justin Longmuir, a lot so that they gave him a rolling contract to take much more strain off his shoulders.
However severe questions have to be requested if he cannot produce outcomes with this record exterior of Western Australia, significantly on the offensive finish, the place he has constantly struggled in recent times.
Away from dwelling this season they have been smashed by Geelong, misplaced to a struggling Melbourne and have been belted by St Kilda. Sure, they’ve seemed first rate at dwelling, however they’re a center of the pack staff at greatest if they can not carry out on the street.
Carlton is formally Adelaide’s bunny
Say what you need about Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks, however one factor that’s with out query is that he has utterly solved Carlton and coach Michael Voss’ model of footy.
The Blues have performed the Crows 4 occasions in Voss’ tenure, dropping all 4. Three of these video games have been in Adelaide, with a median dropping margin of 48 factors in these video games.
Nicks and his males have thrashed Carlton in uncontested possessions, hit-outs and marks inside 50 throughout this profitable streak, denying Carlton the competition and strain sport they thrive off and hurting them the opposite means with brief kicking and velocity.
The query for the Crows is whether or not they can begin making use of this sort of tactical dominance towards different groups, particularly contemplating their inconsistent season total.
As for the Blues, they continue to be one of many nice mysteries of the season to this point.
The Blues stay inconsistent in 2025 Getty
Sydney creativity proves Dean Cox belongs
Sydney coach Dean Cox has been within the highlight given his staff’s poor begin to the season and he finds himself in a troublesome spot total, changing premiership coach John Longmire.
The Swans discovered themselves at 2-5 and coping with vital accidents throughout the board heading into their crosstown conflict with GWS.
Cox clearly opted to get artistic with their ahead combine given the presence of GWS’ star intercept defenders in Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley, their lack of wholesome choices and their lack of need to throw Tom McCartin ahead once more after making an attempt a number of occasions this yr already.
He threw stalwart Joel Hamling ahead, one thing the 32-year-old has not completed in his decade-long profession – he hadn’t ever even kicked a objective. However Cox gave him the duty of enjoying a defensive function on Buckley, whereas fellow journeyman Aaron Francis did what he may on Taylor.
Not solely have been the roles efficient, however Hamling even kicked his first profession objective because the Swans picked up what could also be a season-sparking win.
A credit score to Cox, who will want time to seek out his toes within the prime job.
