Spherical eight of the AFL season is within the books, and it was actually each narrative heavy and continued to play havoc with everyone’s ideas.
It is getting more durable to belief kind strains, with Sydney and Geelong rapidly turning their struggles round to beat high quality opponents, whereas Carlton and Port Adelaide let successful streaks evaporate.
Listed below are 5 takeaways from the weekend’s outcomes:
READ MORE: Drastic name Port should think about 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 ultimate profession arc
Patrick Dangerfield did not should 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 objectives throughout eight video games, to go along with 17.4 disposals per sport, however it’s his energy and burst that’s paying homage to the Brownlow Medallist at his peak.
He turned again the clock towards Collingwood, discovering 29 disposals to go along with two purpose 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 affect the sport like this within the ultimate part of his profession is kind of the premiership wildcard.
Champion midfielders ending their careers as forwards just isn’t a brand new trope, and whereas it has well-known successes like Gary Ablett Jr, Dustin Martin and Leigh Matthews, usually it tends to simply be a approach of phasing out a star.
Not for Dangerfield, who’s as soon as once more reminding individuals why he deserves to be on the rostrum when discussing one of the best 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 proportion of 127 and proceed to beat key accidents to provide 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 through the season to make a name on the premiership coach, given the inconsistent finishes the membership has had because the 2021 grand ultimate, however they now discover themselves in a clumsy spot.
The Energy in 2023 had been on this very same scenario 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 possible would have again then, had they waited a couple of additional weeks.
Would it not be making the identical mistake for the Canines to maneuver now given not solely their kind, however Beveridge’s capability to cowl the absence of star gamers persistently and the vitality the group is clearly taking part in with? Or is it the proper name to lock him in long run and get it out of the best way?
Beveridge has said he will not be teaching anyplace in 2026 if it is not on the Bulldogs, so the ball is effectively and really of their court docket, however they might really feel slightly damned in the event that they do, damned if they do not.
Freo gamers depart the sphere following the loss to St Kilda AFL Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
Freo’s record is much too good to be this dour on the highway
The aspect 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 could possibly argue they’d all of their key personnel on the market towards the Saints, and nonetheless in some way managed solely 33 factors.
The Dockers love coach Justin Longmuir, a lot in order that they gave him a rolling contract to take much more stress off his shoulders.
However severe questions have to be requested if he cannot produce outcomes with this record outdoors of Western Australia, significantly on the offensive finish, the place he has persistently struggled in recent times.
Away from residence this season they had been smashed by Geelong, misplaced to a struggling Melbourne and had been belted by St Kilda. Sure, they’ve regarded respectable at residence, however they’re a center of the pack workforce at greatest if they can not carry out on the highway.
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’ fashion 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 shedding 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 successful streak, denying Carlton the competition and stress sport they thrive off and hurting them the opposite approach with quick 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 general.
As for the Blues, they continue to be one of many nice mysteries of the season to date.
The Blues stay inconsistent in 2025 Getty
Sydney creativity proves Dean Cox belongs
Sydney coach Dean Cox has been within the highlight given his workforce’s poor begin to the season and he finds himself in a tricky spot general, changing premiership coach John Longmire.
The Swans discovered themselves at 2-5 and coping with important accidents throughout the board heading into their crosstown conflict with GWS.
Cox clearly opted to get inventive 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 carried out in his decade-long profession – he hadn’t ever even kicked a purpose. However Cox gave him the duty of taking part in a defensive position on Buckley, whereas fellow journeyman Aaron Francis did what he may on Taylor.
Not solely had been the roles efficient, however Hamling even kicked his first profession purpose because the Swans picked up what could also be a season-sparking win.
A credit score to Cox, who will want time to search out his toes within the prime job.
