1. Ben Cunnington is one of the most underrated midfielders in the competition

The country boy was brilliant against Melbourne on Sunday and did most of it after injuring his knee early on. He finished the game with 26 touches and a goal. His numbers weren't outrageous but most of them were crucial and in important parts of the game.

His ability to get the hard ball, while also showing composure on the outside sometimes goes unnoticed in the wider football community. Very rarely, if at all, is he mentioned as one of the premiere midfielders in the competition. However, his play suggests he probably should be.

2. The Magpies aren't done with yet

The Pies came from nowhere to beat Hawthorn on the weekend. Not only was it a great win, but it also gave them an important boost heading into a crucial stretch.

Before the bye, Collingwood will play Brisbane, Fremantle, and Melbourne. This is a favourable run and they have the chance to win all three games. The Dockers in Western Australia is a tough game, but is not unwinnable.

If the Pies head into the bye 6-6, they have a real chance to make a run to the finals. All hope may not be lost for Buckley and his side.

3. Buddy Franklinย at times looks to be a man amongst boys

Franklin is a brilliant player, but every now and again he does something that make you sit back, channel your inner Brian Taylor, and go "wow-wee". On the weekend, late in the Swans game against the Saints, he gathered a loose ball, shrugged off a tackle, and launched one home from fifty.

When Buddy is doing things like this he is unbelievable to watch. At his best, you would struggle to find anyone in the league who is more entertaining.

4.ย Eleni Glouftsis is great for football

Glouftsis became the first ever AFL female field umpire on Sunday. It came a week after the AFL cameย under scrutiny for a lack of action during the Marc Murphy incident, in which it was said St Kilda players made crude remarks regarding his wife.

Hopefully Glouftsis opens the door for many more female field umpires and encourages those who are currently plying their trade at the local level to continue following their passion. The AFL appears to be ahead of the NRL in regards to gender equality and it can only bode well for the game as whole.

5. Time to bring in a flopping rule

Yes it's part of the game, but with continuous discussions about rule changes, why not bring in a flopping rule. On the weekend we saw on more than one occasion players acting for free kicks, and then making miraculous recoveries after the whistle had blown.

If players are able to do this to earn free kicks, then why would you not try. Currently there is no penalty against trying to actย a free kick, but perhaps it's time we brought one in. Umpires should have the right to warn and then penalise players who are acting to earn free kicks.

We see it in soccer (sometimes) and it has been brought into basketball. Hopefully if the power was given to the umpires, players would be less inclined to try and earn free kicks by flopping.