Spherical eight of the AFL season is within the books, and it was definitely each narrative heavy and continued to play havoc with all people’s suggestions.
It is getting more durable to belief type strains, with Sydney and Geelong shortly 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:
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Patrick Dangerfield has been a pleasure to observe in 2025 Getty
Patrick Dangerfield cementing legendary standing with closing 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 targets throughout eight video games, to go together with 17.4 disposals per sport, but it surely’s his energy and burst that’s harking back to the Brownlow Medallist at his peak.
He turned again the clock in opposition to Collingwood, discovering 29 disposals to go together with two purpose assists and was arguably greatest on floor. Final week in opposition to Carlton he smashed a pack open within the fourth quarter with ferocity few others might replicate at any age.
It is nonetheless early within the season and the Cats will definitely handle their captain’s workload, however Dangerfield having the ability to affect the sport like this within the closing part of his profession is kind of the premiership wildcard.
Champion midfielders ending their careers as forwards shouldn’t 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 simply be a approach 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 perfect 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 wished 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 closing, however they now discover themselves in an ungainly 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 probably would have again then, had they waited a couple of further weeks.
Wouldn’t it be making the identical mistake for the Canines to maneuver now given not solely their type, however Beveridge’s means to cowl the absence of star gamers persistently and the power the group is clearly enjoying with? Or is it the best 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 properly and actually of their courtroom, however they could really feel somewhat damned in the event that they do, damned if they do not.
Freo gamers depart the sphere following the loss to St Kilda AFL Images through Getty Photographs
Freo’s record is way too good to be this dour on the street
The facet Fremantle placed on the park on Friday night time in opposition to St Kilda wished 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 would argue they’d all of their key personnel on the market in opposition to the Saints, and nonetheless by some means 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 should 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 lately.
Away from dwelling this season they had been smashed by Geelong, misplaced to a struggling Melbourne and had been belted by St Kilda. Sure, they’ve appeared respectable 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 fully 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 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 brief kicking and velocity.
The query for the Crows is whether or not they can begin making use of this sort of tactical dominance in opposition to different groups, particularly contemplating their inconsistent season general.
As for the Blues, they continue to be one of many nice mysteries of the season thus far.
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 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 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 want 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 accomplished in his decade-long profession – he hadn’t ever even kicked a purpose. However Cox gave him the duty of enjoying a defensive position on Buckley, whereas fellow journeyman Aaron Francis did what he might 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 seek out his toes within the prime job.
