Surprise and revelation, shock and disappointment - the emotions that drive every footy fan. They bring people together to either share in their frustrations or revel in their unfiltered joy.
Whether it is through player improvement or through coaching methods, every action has an equal and opposite reaction to what fans have come to expect from the years prior, with a player's form or a lapse in coaching sometimes either making or breaking a season.
Accounting for this, I took a look at each team's surprise player or coach and each team's shocking disappointment.
Western Bulldogs
Surprise: Arthur Jones
The 23-year-old small forward was in and out of the Bulldogs for the last four seasons until this season, when he has finally broken through as an electric presence in the forward line. Jones has scored in every game since round 10 and can fly for the mark like few out there.
Shock: Lachie Bramble
Bramble has been decent down in the back for the Bulldogs but has had his worst season statistically for them so far, averaging the fewest touches yet in his career (15.0). He's still a creative playmaker, but he'll need to lift if the Bulldogs want to make any noise come finals time.
