1. Pressure lifts again on Buckley
Even Nathan Buckley's harshest critics can't deny there have been issues with some of Collingwood's best players. Steele Sidebottom missed two weeks through suspension, Dane Swan is unlikely to play again this year after injuring his right foot and skipper Scott Pendlebury has been battling with sore ribs. The skipper is tough enough to nevertheless have an impact, but he often only moves into the midfield after the opposition team has taken advantage at stoppages. Collingwood isn't good enough to rest its captain so the likes of Jack Crisp and Levi Greenwood need to improve to lessen the pressure on Pendlebury.

2. This Melbourne team knows how to move the ball
Last week the Demons lost despite kicking 131 points against North Melbourne, and they continued to show that ability to score against the Pies. Melbourne's ball movement was brilliant, especially in the first quarter when it kicked six goals. Moving up the field so quickly also meant Melbourne's forwards were afforded plenty of space to operate in. Encouragingly for Demons fans, Bernie Vince was missing through suspension and his kicking skills will only make Paul Roos' men more dangerous.

3. Gawn's early form merits All Australian thinking
Opposition teams are going to have to figure out how to shark Max Gawn's hit-outs, because he is a dominating other ruckmen. Coming off his impressive game against North big man Todd Goldstein, Gawn consistently put the ball down his teammates' throats at the MCG. He was at his best in the first quarter and his influence meant the Demons won clearances 12-5 in the opening term. Ranked top ten in the competition for contested marks per game, Gawn's imposing body-work deep in defence assists Melbourne in moving the ball out of its backline. 

4. Watts' slow burn looks worth the wait
Jack Watts has certainly grown up since his debut against Collingwood in 2009 on Queen's Birthday Monday. That day he was met with ferocious pressure from a Magpies unit keen to set the No.1 draft pick on his heels. On Sunday though, Watts was in fine form. He finished with four goals, all scored in the first half, including a set shot while pressed up against the boundary in the second term. The much-maligned 25-year-old has struggled to consistently make an impact but after a strong start to 2016, he is perhaps finally starting to reach his potential.

5. Howe hoping for more
Jeremy Howe played five seasons at Melbourne before being traded to Collingwood. It was a pretty quiet day for him though, with none of the soaring marks that the footy world has become so accustomed to. He finished with 14 disposals and didn't kick a goal. In the first quarter, Howe marked against Lynden Dunn in the forward 50 and tried to be unselfish with a handball to Adam Treloar, but the midfielder was under pressure and Melbourne saved what probably should have been a goal. Neville Jetta added to Howe's pain by ensuring the high-leaper will have a sore body on Monday after a driving tackle on the wing.