Spherical eight of the AFL season is within the books, and it was actually each narrative heavy and continued to play havoc with everyone’s suggestions.

It is getting more durable to belief type traces, with Sydney and Geelong shortly turning their struggles round to beat high quality opponents, whereas Carlton and Port Adelaide let profitable streaks evaporate.

Listed below are 5 takeaways from the weekend’s outcomes:

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Patrick Dangerfield cementing legendary standing with remaining profession arc

Patrick Dangerfield did not need to play a sport in 2025 to safe his legacy as a Corridor of Famer, however what he’s doing as a mostly-permanent ahead is one thing to behold.

The 35-year-old has kicked 16 targets throughout eight video games, to go together with 17.4 disposals per sport, however it’s his energy and burst that’s harking back to the Brownlow Medallist at his peak.

He turned again the clock in opposition to Collingwood, discovering 29 disposals to go together with two purpose assists and was arguably greatest on floor. Final week in opposition to Carlton he smashed a pack open within the fourth quarter with ferocity few others might replicate at any age.

It is nonetheless early within the season and the Cats will definitely handle their captain’s workload, however Dangerfield with the ability to affect the sport like this within the remaining part of his profession is kind of the premiership wildcard.

Champion midfielders ending their careers as forwards will not be a brand new trope, and whereas it has well-known successes like Gary Ablett Jr, Dustin Martin and Leigh Matthews, typically it tends to only be a manner of phasing out a star.

Not for Dangerfield, who’s as soon as once more reminding folks why he deserves to be on the rostrum when discussing the most effective gamers within the competitors since 2015.

Bulldogs now in awkward Bevo limbo

The Bulldogs sit fifth on the ladder after eight video games, boast a share of 127 and proceed to beat key accidents to supply outcomes like their 90-point win over Port Adelaide in Ballarat.

So … what do they do with Luke Beveridge? They clearly needed to attend till throughout the season to make a name on the premiership coach, given the inconsistent finishes the membership has had because the 2021 grand remaining, however they now discover themselves in a clumsy spot.

The Energy in 2023 have been on this very same state of affairs and opted to increase coach Ken Hinkley by two years in August … earlier than the membership fell aside within the finals, going out in straight units. Now, they’re set to maneuver on from Hinkley on the finish of 2025 once they doubtless would have again then, had they waited just a few further weeks.

Would it not be making the identical mistake for the Canine to maneuver now given not solely their type, however Beveridge’s skill to cowl the absence of star gamers persistently and the vitality the group is clearly taking part in with? Or is it the fitting name to lock him in long run and get it out of the best way?

Beveridge has acknowledged he will not be teaching anyplace in 2026 if it isn’t on the Bulldogs, so the ball is nicely and really of their court docket, however they could really feel a little bit damned in the event that they do, damned if they do not.

Freo’s checklist is much too good to be this dour on the street

The facet Fremantle placed on the park on Friday evening in opposition to St Kilda needed for nothing. Two rising star key forwards, quite a few small ahead threats, a trio of dominant midfielders, two of the sport’s highest paid ruckmen and a rock stable backline of confirmed veterans.

Whereas they’ve just a few gamers on their damage checklist, you could possibly argue they’d all of their key personnel on the market in opposition to the Saints, and nonetheless someway managed solely 33 factors.

The Dockers love coach Justin Longmuir, a lot in order that they gave him a rolling contract to take much more strain off his shoulders.

However critical questions have to be requested if he cannot produce outcomes with this checklist outdoors of Western Australia, notably on the offensive finish, the place he has persistently struggled in recent times.

Away from house this season they have been smashed by Geelong, misplaced to a struggling Melbourne and have been belted by St Kilda. Sure, they’ve seemed respectable at house, however they’re a center of the pack staff at greatest if they cannot carry out on the street.

Carlton is formally Adelaide’s bunny

Say what you need about Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks, however one factor that’s with out query is that he has fully solved Carlton and coach Michael Voss’ model of footy.

The Blues have performed the Crows 4 occasions in Voss’ tenure, dropping all 4. Three of these video games have been in Adelaide, with a median shedding margin of 48 factors in these video games.

Nicks and his males have thrashed Carlton in uncontested possessions, hit-outs and marks inside 50 throughout this profitable streak, denying Carlton the competition and strain sport they thrive off and hurting them the opposite manner with brief kicking and velocity.

The query for the Crows is whether or not they can begin making use of this type of tactical dominance in opposition to different groups, particularly contemplating their inconsistent season general.

As for the Blues, they continue to be one of many nice mysteries of the season thus far.

Sydney creativity proves Dean Cox belongs

Sydney coach Dean Cox has been within the highlight given his staff’s poor begin to the season and he finds himself in a troublesome spot general, changing premiership coach John Longmire.

The Swans discovered themselves at 2-5 and coping with vital accidents throughout the board heading into their crosstown conflict with GWS.

Cox clearly opted to get inventive with their ahead combine given the presence of GWS’ star intercept defenders in Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley, their lack of wholesome choices and their lack of need to throw Tom McCartin ahead once more after attempting a number of occasions this 12 months already.

He threw stalwart Joel Hamling ahead, one thing the 32-year-old has not performed in his decade-long profession – he hadn’t ever even kicked a purpose. However Cox gave him the duty of taking part in a defensive position on Buckley, whereas fellow journeyman Aaron Francis did what he might on Taylor.

Not solely have been the roles efficient, however Hamling even kicked his first profession purpose because the Swans picked up what could also be a season-sparking win.

A credit score to Cox, who will want time to search out his toes within the prime job.