1. There is still plenty to be done for the Dockers
Having won three on the trot, the Dockers looked to have proved their doubters wrong. However, their performance against Adelaide on the weekend has sent them multiple steps backwards.
They have a percentage of just 81.5%, which ranks 15th in the league, despite having won six of 10 games this season. They have managed to get over the line in a number of games, however, have been far from convincing.
The Dockers have a lot to do if they are to prove to everyone that they are a legitimate finals side. Can they bounce back from last year and play in September, or will it be another early holiday? Their effort in round 10 points to one very obvious answer.
2. Swapping jumpers should be a part of the AFL
On Saturday night there wereย a number of the Richmond and Essendon players who swapped jumpers. Despite it being seen on very few occasions in the AFL, there should be a place for it.
In 2015 Cam Guthrie caused some controversy by swapping jumpers with West Coast and Carlton legend, Chris Judd. However many AFL players came out in support of the move. In soccer we also see it a lot and it acts as a mark of respect between opposition players.
Seeing the greats of the game swap jumpers would be great for fans. Not only that, but players have the chance to take home the jersey of a player who they would have admiration for. Let's hope we see more of it in the coming years.
3. Toby Nankervis was the best pick-up of the off-season
Nankervis has been excellent all year for the Tigers, but on Saturday night he proved just how good of a pick up he was. The Tigers brought in the 22-year old for pick 46 in the National Draft.
Despite somewhat struggling through the first three quarters, the big man came up in the clutch moments. He kicked the match-sealing goal from outside fifty, then in the dying minutes he claimed an intercept mark in the back-line to calm the Richmond faithful.
Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis and Brad Hill have all been good at their new clubs, but they have not quite had the impact that Nankervis has. The fact that it was expected by so few, just makes it even better.
4. In a few years time Carlton will be a scary side
On Sunday we saw Carlton dominate a quarter and a half of football. They looked very impressive and could have easily beaten North Melbourne if it were not for some costly skill errors and poor decisions in the fourth quarter.
Matthew Kreuzer was excellent against Todd Goldstein, Bryce Gibbs had one of his best games ever according to Leigh Matthews, while the likes of Docherty, Cunningham, Cripps, and Charlie Curnow were all brilliant in patches.
Once they can improve on their consistency, this young side will be a force to be reckoned with. Brendan Bolton looks to have them on the right path and they will be looking to push up the ladder in the coming years.
5. The AFL needs to make some quarter-time fan games easier
This is a slightly trivial one, however, for the sake of the fans it needsย to be addressed. On Saturday night one lucky punter got to kick for $5,000 on the MCG. He had to nail a shot into a bin from 30 metres away from just one attempt.
Now of course he missed, however, this is something that even AFL players would have to take multiple shots at, let alone a fan. Of course you need to make it difficult when you're giving away big money, however, you still want to see them win something.
Maybe it's giving them $100 if they get it within five metres, or letting them have three attempts, or bring it in closer for less money, or have multiple targets, just something. Yes some games are easier than others, but give each fan a chance at glory in front of thousands, don't make it nearly impossible.
