1. Caleb Daniel's footy IQ might be the best in the League
The pint-sized Bulldog is quickly building a reputation as an elite footy brain under pressure, and his composure in the dying moments of his side's thrilling four-point win over the Sydney Swans has only enhanced that standing. Daniel gathered a loose ball in heavy traffic just outside the Dogs' forward 50 and with the clock ticking down, refused to blaze away and give up his team's only chance at winning, which was keeping possession of the ball. The 19-year-old rarely makes bad decisions and managed to find himself some room where there was none, and chip a brilliant pass across his body to find Marcus Bontempelli all alone. History will show that 'The Bont' ultimately gave off his chance at glory to Jason Johannisen who kicked the Dogs' to a memorable win, but if it wasn't for the vision and smarts of Daniel, the Bulldogs would be the ones nursing broken hearts, not the Swans. Still staggering this bloke isn't getting more love in the NAB AFL Rising Star conversation. - Adam Curley
2. Changes are coming at Tigerland
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick insists the Tigers' best footy is good enough to compete with any team. It's a questionable viewpoint but, even if he's right, the issue is their base level is miles off the best teams. The Tigers' inability to consistently produce the football their fans expect was glaringly exposed in 17 horrible minutes during the second quarter at Adelaide Oval against Port Adelaide on Friday night. During those minutes, Port kicked six goals and went inside 50 on 14 occasions. The Tigers didn't register a foray inside 50, and their system completely broke down. The loss all but ends Richmond's chances of playing finals in 2016, a bitterly disappointing result for a side that was touted as a top four contender pre-season. Hardwick also hinted at changes at Punt Rd for the remainder of this season and possibly into 2017. "We're off the pace," he said. "That's the reality of it, so we need to continue to find players that can take us forward and get us back to where we need to be." - Kym Morgan
3. Another long career beckons for a Silvagni at Carlton
He couldn't quite deliver the goal the large, pro-Carlton crowd so desperately wanted to see, but Jack Silvagni showed more than enough to suggest he'll have a lengthy and successful career in navy blue. Silvagni, wearing the long sleeves his father was renowned for, was raucously cheered every time he went near the ball but didn't seem overawed. He set up the Blues' first goal, took a strong contested mark but missed his first shot and, disappointingly for fans, passed off a 15m set shot in the final term. In between all of that, the 18-year-old showed plenty of poise in traffic, even if he spilled a couple of marks he might wish to have again. Finishing with 15 touches and six marks was a strong return on debut – especially in Carlton's at times dysfunctional forward line – and an exciting journey has begun for the third generation player from a famous football family. - Travis King
4. Jack Watts is repaying the Demons
It might have taken far longer than the club and fans had hoped, but Watts is now the consistent, competitive player Melbourne expected he would become. In the first quarter of Sunday's fighting loss to free-scoring Adelaide, his ball use was so good he made positive things happen every time he disposed the ball. In the second quarter he kicked two goals, then in the third when the Crows gained some momentum he played loose in the backline before bobbing up forward late to kick a goal that kept the Dees in touch. He has now kicked 27 goals for the season, his highest one-season tally for his career and is one of the best five players on the Demons' list. - Peter Ryan
5. Two-metre Peter is starting to influence matches
He's played just 12 senior games, but Peter Wright took another big step forward against the Saints. With the brilliant Tom Lynch always attracting the best (and sometimes two) defenders, Wright again proved a handful. He kicked three goals, including a couple of thumping set shots, but just as impressively hauled in 10 marks, including three contested. He also gave off three goals. Wright was up against smaller opponents in Sam Gilbert and Dylan Roberton, but at 203cm, that's usually going to be the case. Rodney Eade's understated comment that the 19-year-old "has growth in him" should be a word of warning to the rest of the competition. - Michael Whiting
6. A solid young midfield is emerging at Essendon
Essendon suffered another heavy defeat on Thursday night but the end result should not deflect from a very promising first term against the Eagles. The Bombers carved out a three-point lead at quarter-time on the back some outstanding clearance work from a fledgling group. They won the clearances 15-6 in the first term and the centre clearances 5-1 against an Eagles midfield featuring Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff. Matthew Leuenberger had eight hit-outs and Zach Merrett, brother Jackson and Darcy Parish combined for seven of the 15 clearances. If that quartet can develop quickly then the future is bright when the banned Bombers return to the fold. - Alex Malcolm
