Have we seen the blueprint for beating the competition's top seed? Fremantle took Melbourne apart in a blistering second half that reaffirmed their own credentials while perhaps, finally, exposing the Demons' kryptonite.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, there is a battle brewing between North Melbourne and West Coast to see who can lock down that 18th place, with both teams proving less than competitive this season.
1. Melbourne (-)
Look, they haven't fallen from the peak of our rankings, nor from the summit of the AFL ladder, but as proven by the Dockers last Saturday, the Demons are beatable.
Whether or not any of the reigning premier's challengers can use Round 11 to construct their own blueprints for the back half of the season is yet to be seen.
However, Melbourne's first loss since July 24, 2021, sought to underscore just how important Steven May is to Simon Goodwin's defensive plans.
With the Demons fixtured to face the likes of Sydney, Collingwood, Brisbane and Geelong in the near future, their once cruisy run towards September could face a few more hiccups.
2. Brisbane (-)
Despite watching on as the Giants jumped out of the gates at the Gabba, Chris Fagan's side proved able to reel in their visitors and get back on the winner's list.
Though conceding eight first-quarter goals the week after dropping their bundle against the Hawks in the Apple Isle was never going to inspire confidence, the Lions' ability to finish to contest with 30 scoring shots proves that the pride has plenty in their offensive arsenal.
Sunday evening's upcoming date against the Dockers will be a must-watch for every fan, irrespective of allegiance.
3. Fremantle (+1)
Since playing off on grand final day in 2012, there has been little call for optimism between the Mole lighthouses since falling short of the Hawks nine years ago.
That is until now.
With a devastating eight-goal run during the third term, the Dockers absolutely blew the previously undefeated Demons off the park and further cemented themselves as a genuine competition contender.
As previously mentioned, Sunday's clash against Brisbane has the ability to be the game of the year so far.
4. Carlton (- 1)
And just like that, several lungfuls have escaped the Blues' balloon.
Sure, at 8-3 heading into the bye with a percentage north of 115 per cent is a marker that every rusted on 'Bagger would have signed off on before Round 1, but with a loss to the Pies compounded by key defender Jacob Weitering slung up on the sidelines, the same buoyancy of before has faded sizably.
With very few defensive options available to him, as well as the likes of Richmond, Fremantle and St Kilda awaiting after the bye, Michael Voss is currently faced with his sternness challenge since walking through the doors at Princes Park.
5. St Kilda (-)
While a win against North was expected, the Saints still had to go out and deliver.
And with the help of recent draftees Marcus Windhager, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Mitchito Owens, the second half specialists were able to cruise home on Sunday afternoon.
Plenty of praise must also be sent defensive assistant Corey Enright's way, given St Kilda's back six is currently firing on all cylinders and via all avenues.
6. Sydney (-)
Though plenty will be made of a post-siren umpiring decision, the Swans' ability to romp home against the previously red-hot Tigers saw the horrors of their loss to the Blues blown away.
In spite of the fact that they remain entrenched in the eight with a win-loss ledger of 7-4, Sydney faces their stiffest test next weekend, with a smarting Melbourne side awaiting them at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
7. Geelong (-)
Seemingly able to play a multitude of styles this season, Chris Scott's clowder remains devastating across each line of the ground.
With the likes of Tom Stewart and young gun Sam de Koning down back, the Cats have been able to pluck and repel everything at will.
At the other end, Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins are as deadly as ever, with ex-Tiger and Crow Tyson Stengle enjoying a redemptive arc only matched by Darth Vader.
Still, with three of the Hoops' four losses coming against fellow finals contenders Sydney, Fremantle and St Kilda, the seasoned side is still a step away from setting the competition's pace.
8. Richmond (-)
Factor in a bounce here and a whistle there and Richmond could well have be celebrating their fifth consecutive win last Friday night.
However, after coughing up a five-goal lead to the resurgent Swans, bitterness, rather than banked points before the bye, joined the Tigers on their flight back south.
At 6-5, the Punt Roader's season remains in the balance, and with Port, Carlton and Geelong awaiting them, Damien Hardwick's ambush is now, well and truly, in make-or-break territory.
9. Western Bulldogs (-)
Akin to the Saints, the Dogs were expected to take care of business against the Eagles out west. And with 25 majors from 36 scoring shots, the Whitten Oval side was more than able to get the job done.
A far sterner test against Geelong awaits Luke Beveridge's boys this Friday night.
Are the Bulldogs capable of stepping up to the plate and swinging for the fences?
Absolutely.
However, should we all be willing to blindly trust a side that has already dropped points to a trifecta of bottom-eight sides?
Not just yet.
10. Collingwood (+1)
After the nadir of 2021, Sunday afternoon's win over the old enemy must have felt spectacular for every single member of the Magpie army.
Still, while it will take plenty to take the gloss over such a gritty win over the previously white-hot Blues, the fact that Collingwood's form remains topsy-turvy is enough to baffle the game's biggest boffins.
With wins against the ilk of St Kilda, Fremantle and Carlton, the Woods can feel somewhat content, yet, the Round 3 loss to the Eagles is sure to still burn.
Sunday afternoon's clash against the Hawks will tell us plenty about each of these resurgent sides.
11. Port Adelaide (-1)
While claiming a win usually sees sides earn higher ground, the mere fact that the Power were unable to blow the Bombers off a sodden Adelaide Oval has left them open to a slight decline.
Though getting back into the winner's circle was sure to be the most important item on Ken Hinkley's agenda, scheduled dates with Richmond, Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Geelong before the end of July will prove whether Port's list will be on the job, or not, come September.
12. Gold Coast (-)
In spite of being the butt of most of the competition's jokes, Stuart Dew's Suns appear as though they have finally dawned for real.
Following Ben King's disastrous ACL injury during the summer, the vast majority of the game's talking heads put a line through the expansion side.
Yet, with the punk-spirited forward duo in Levi Casboult and Mabior Chol doing routine damage, the hodgepodge crew from the coast have enjoyed a 3-2 May, with rousing wins coming against Sydney, Fremantle and Hawthorn.
If the Suns are serious about cracking a place in the eight by September, their fixtures against the Roos, Crows and Power this June become critical.
12. GWS Giants (+1)
Proving able to land a series of hooks, crosses and jabs on the Lions' jaw saw Mark McVeigh's Giants earn early plaudits on Saturday afternoon.
But given a knockout blow was unable to be produced before the bell, the points were Brisbane's for the taking.
McVeigh's offensive-minded style has been a breath of fresh air for viewers, but with the Dogs and Pies on the card after a bout with the Roos, the side from Sydney's west will need to keep their gloves up if they are to return to the finals action.
14. Hawthorn (-1)
Without a recognised ruckman available to tackle Jarrod Witts, Saturday night's clash in the top-end was always going to be a tough ask for Sam Mitchell's side.
And while victories against genuine contenders and the ability to run others closes, have proven possible, if the 67-point loss to the Suns is any indicator of future performances, the Hawks' brown and gold cue appears certain to be in the rack come September.
15. Adelaide (-)
Despite pressing hard for plenty of Saturday afternoon, by the time the final siren had sounded at Kardinia Park, the gulf between Matthew Nicks' murder and the Cats was stark.
A chance to beat up on a woeful West Coast outfit will be afforded to the Crows this Saturday. However, if victories against the Roos and Suns can't be obtained before the end of June, eyes will soon turn full-tilt to the off-season before too long.
16. Essendon (-)
Though the usual suspects in messers Parish and Merrett were able to find plenty of the Sherrin on Sunday evening, yet another defeat awaited the Dons by the time the round had come to a close.
An effort may have been provided by Ben Rutten's charges after crossing the border, but with Essendon's esteem currently lying alongside the fallen autumn leaves, 2022 is already a write-off.
17. North Melbourne (-)
Yes, it's true, the Roos were beaten comfortably for the umpteenth time this season. And yes, North's twin pillars Cameron Zurhaar and Nick Larkey were near-unsighted against the Saints, but there were positives to take from their latest defeat.
With David Noble's mob able to, once again, prove a semblance of a structure behind the ball for the second week in a row, at least one small mercy was on show in spite of the scoreboard.
While their clash against the Suns on Saturday is far from the game of the round, there may be something on offer should a united front on every line be brought to Darwin.
18. West Coast (-)
Any adjective that would aptly describe the Eagles' season is probably unpublishable, so instead, we'll just stick with insipid.
In a season in which the members of Adam Simpson's eyrie have tasted success just the once, rock bottom may have been found after being soundly belted by the Bulldogs last Saturday to the tune of 101 points.
Given the former powerhouse from Perth has been blown off the park by an average of 12 goals across the past month, it's hard to see where the next slither of joy will come from.
