Narrm v Fremantle, MCG

The Dees have that many runs on the board it’s wise to take the glass half-full view of their loss.

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This is by no means to detract from the Dockers’ performance but to point out why the reigning premiers were ripe for the picking. Their previous two wins came against West Coast and North Melbourne, so they were hardly battle hardened for a meeting with top-four contenders. Steven May went down early. Christian Petracca may as well not have played. So when James Aish restricted Clayton Oliver’s influence, limiting him to 12 possessions after half-time, they were down two of their prized midfield trio. Rarely will the planets align for their rivals. Watch out Sydney! Rory Lobb has long threatened to become a very good player – he may now be ready to deliver. The big man has the height to ruck full time but is a reluctant ruckman. Sean Darcy’s arrival as a topline big man means Lobb can be used as a forward who pinch hits in the ruck. When his mindset is right, he has the tools to be dangerous in both roles, as he showed with his three goals and nine marks. At full reach with an honest jump, the 206-centimetre Lobb is a nightmare for any defender. His preparedness to run Max Gawn from end to end should prompt other big men to back themselves against the game’s premier ruckman. We’ll be hearing more about Lobb in the months to come. - Andrew Wu

West Coast v Western Bulldogs, Optus Stadium

The Western Bulldogs remain an enigma this season but three straight wins has Luke Beveridge’s men back in the premiership hunt. A 6-5 win-loss record may not quite suggest that but their core strength – dominance at stoppages – has returned. They are No.1 in the league for clearance differential, and this stranglehold was on show against the rabble that is West Coast on Saturday night. Tim English’s return from hamstring/illness could not have been better scripted. He was fortunate that the Eagles were without Nic Naitanui but the manner in which English controlled the hitouts and clearances, and the threat he posed when pushed forward, highlighted why he may be central to the Bulldogs’ hopes of grand final redemption. If opponents are to counter the Bulldogs, their half-backs cannot get lost in traffic, as too often happened to the Eagles, when the Dogs pushed an extra man up to stoppages. We await Friday night’s clash against Geelong with interest. For the Eagles, what else can be said? Jeremy McGovern’s back injury added to the frustration of a season with only one win to date. Tim Kelly, after wearing media criticism earlier in the season, has had a strong month, while Jack Darling, after a tumultuous off-season, had his best game of the campaign. This season cannot end quick enough. - Jon Pierik

Gold Coast v Hawthorn, TIO Stadium

The chances of Alastair Clarkson taking over as Suns coach from his 2008 premiership player Stuart Dew are fading as the season goes on. On Saturday night, the Suns won their third game of the past four weeks to take their record at the halfway point of the season to 5-6 – their best since 2014. The Suns look invigorated. They kicked efficiently, out-tackled the Hawks and smashed them in contested possessions in Darwin, where they hope to build a formidable record in future seasons. Former Tigers Mabior Chol (three goals) and Brandon Ellis (24 disposals, two goals) were prolific, while captain Touk Miller continued his strong season. The Hawks, however, are struggling for consistency. Apart from their win over Brisbane last weekend, they’ve lost five of their past six and have some huge concerns. Without a genuine ruckman, their flaws are evident, and they face Collingwood next week in a match that could determine whether they remain in the hunt for the top eight. That task might become more difficult without Sam Frost, who was offered a one match ban for rough conduct. - Damien Ractliffe

St Kilda v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium

St Kilda marched to 8-3 at the halfway point with a bye to follow, sailing past North Melbourne side that showed glimpses of improvement in what will be a long arc towards regeneration. The Saints were held to one goal in the second term after threatening to break away in the first, and patience was rewarded with a thrilling burst of scoring in the third after Jack Ziebell marked his 250th game with a goal that served primarily to open the St Kilda floodgates. Jack Sinclair set up many an attacking foray for the Saints, while Bradley Hill, Jade Gresham and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera were similarly damaging. For North Melbourne, the coach David Noble maintained his calls for patience with the group after a hectic week of exits from the club’s recruiting department. There are green shoots visible for the Kangaroos, but they are a long way from getting anywhere near St Kilda’s composure and fluency. - Daniel Brettig

Collingwood v Carlton, MCG

Carlton’s top-four ambitions could rest on how they cover the next six weeks without Jacob Weitering after the star defender hurt his shoulder early in the narrow loss to Collingwood. The Blues conceded 18 marks in their defensive 50 after Weitering took two intercept marks before the injury forced him out of the game. The Blues play Essendon next, before a tough run against Richmond, Fremantle and St Kilda. The Magpies, however, are finding their mojo. Mason Cox played his best game for the Pies, showing why coach Craig McRae has maintained his belief in the big man. Patrick Lipinski continued his good form after crossing over from the Dogs, while Ollie Henry (three goals) again proved dangerous in attack. The Magpies’ draw opens up in the second half of the season, due to face seven of the bottom eight teams over the next eight matches. - Damien Ractliffe

Port Adelaide v Essendon, Adelaide Oval

Port Adelaide have given themselves a fighting chance of qualifying for the finals after recovering from a dire 0-5 start to the season to hit the halfway juncture at 5-6. Sunday’s gritty wet-weather victory over Essendon saw the Power move to within four points and percentage of the top eight – but not before some familiar old concerns reared their ugly head. With victory seemingly assured when Port led by 31 points at half-time and with heavy rain setting in, Ken Hinkley’s men were left floundering in a third-quarter ambush as the Bombers – like Geelong did so brutally at the Cattery a week ago – turned up the heat at the contest. Essendon weren’t able to capitalise on that admirable nose-first, backside-up salvo, but better sides will surely make the Power and their shallow on-ball brigade pay. The Bombers’ first half was full of haphazard forward entries, wayward goalkicking, costly defensive turnovers and a midfield seemingly uninterested in chasing and tackling. Following the interval, the game’s worst conditions brought out the best in Ben Rutten’s men and that uncompromising approach – not always a trait evident in this group – should be their template moving forward. - Steve Barrett

Match review news

Sydney’s Lance Franklin has been offered a one-match ban for striking Trent Cotchin. Cotchin’s Tiger teammate Toby Nankervis was fined for engaging in rough conduct.

Hawthorn’s Sam Frost can accept a one-match suspension for forceful front on contact against Brandon Ellis, while Jarman Impey was offered a $1000 fine for kneeing Ben Ainsworth.

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