It was a shortened round, but one that taught us a lot.
We were treated to several thrilling contests, and we may just have a clear flag favourite.
Here’s what we learned from Round 12:
We have a clear number one seed
Well, if we needed any more convincing, Melbourne proved to us that they’re the best team by beating Brisbane in Sydney on Friday night.
Perhaps most impressively, it was the way the Demons responded to the Lions’ fast-start, clawing their way back into the contest and eventually running over the top of a Brisbane side that was gunning for its eighth straight win.
Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy believes the Demons have “every element covered”, with their prolific midfield, dangerous forward line and rock-solid defence shaping them as the team to beat heading into finals.
They’ve now taken care of Richmond, Brisbane, Geelong, Sydney and the Western Bulldogs and rightfully sit as premiership favourites and ladder leaders.
Magpie kids starting to flourish
While Collingwood’s win over Adelaide on Saturday didn’t shift them up the ladder, the victory will mean a lot to coach Nathan Buckley and his playing group.
The Magpies have undertaken a youthful approach following their finals hopes dissipating, and they’ve slowly started to trend upwards despite early growing pains.
Saturday’s five-point win over a building Crows side away from home should fill the Pies with confidence that they can begin to trust their young kids in big moments and win a few more games before the season is said and done.
Caleb Poulter looks a steal at Pick 30 and Trent Bianco looks like he’s well and truly up to it after just two games at senior level.
Throw that in with Nathan Murphy and Isaac Quaynor’s progression, Beau McCreery’s instant impact and Josh Daicos’ continued growth and the Magpies have a road map out of the rebuild.
If we start to see a more from first rounders Ollie Henry, Fin Macrae and Reef McInnes before 2021’s done, then Collingwood’s disastrous off-season might not sting as much as initially thought.
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Inaccurate Saints made to pay again
St Kilda’s nine-point loss to Sydney on Saturday was the second time this month that goal kicking has cost them the four points.
While their tally of 12.11 was better than some disastrous results we’ve seen this year, three costly misses late from Jack Higgins was ultimately the difference between winning and losing.
After kicking 5.17 against Geelong in Round 9, this one must sting for a Saints side whose finals hopes are just about dead and buried.
The Saints might need to re-think banning Max King from goal kicking lessons with Matthew Lloyd ... and they should probably consider sending a couple of their other forwards to him while they're at it.
Carlton’s McKay reliance exposed
Carlton Harry McKay reliance was exposed against West Coast on Sunday after the gun forward went down with concussion.
Once McKay left the field, the Blues looked stagnant in attack as West Coast interceptors Harry Edwards (nine marks), Shannon Hurn (nine marks), Josh Rotham (nine marks) and Tom Barrass (eight marks) mopped up in his absence.
The Coleman medal leader had kicked 30% of Carlton’s goals going into today’s clash, and his loss was equally felt when the Blues weren’t able to halve enough contests to create chances for their smalls.
He’s a good enough player to rely upon when fit, but the Blues are crying out for a Robin to their Batman.
Fingers crossed Charlie Curnow makes a return sooner rather than later.
Viewers benefit without overlapping fixtures
Saturday proved the AFL should aim avoid overlapping fixtures going forward.
Melburnians locked in their lounge rooms were glued to the TV with three back to back matches all going down to the last quarter.
The games rightfully deserved their own breathing space, and footy fans caught a glimpse of what could be with some fixture tinkering.
Constant Thursday night games would help ease the Saturday dilemma, clearing the afternoon for back to back games before concurrent unavoidable night fixtures.
A Sunday night game has its issues on the eastern seaboard, but when in Perth it works perfectly at twilight local time and in the evening (AEST).
Hopefully we see more of it when the standard fixture returns post bye rounds.
It’s a big week for West Coast
Next Sunday night West Coast host Richmond at Optus Stadium in a mouth-watering clash for football fans.
It’s a seventh v eighth contest, with the winner likely to vault themselves again into top four calculations.
The undermanned Eagles were valiant to take the four points against a dangerous Carlton side, but it’s about time they make a statement.
Beat Richmond, and we’ll start considering the Eagles as genuine premiership contenders again.
Lose, and they’re likely to fight it out for a spot in the bottom half of the eight in 2021.
