We’re seven games through Round 6 and we’ve learned a lot since Friday.
While there are two blockbuster games to go on Anzac Eve and Anzac Day respectively, here are the major talking points out of the round so far.
See the talking points below!
Marcus Bontempelli may be in the best form of his life
We learned from Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne during the week that Marcus Bontempelli was quietly having a dominant season, and his performance on Friday may be the best of the lot.
Against the Dockers, Bontempelli put the Bulldogs on his back as he had 31 disposals, eight clearances, 10 tackles, two goals, seven inside 50s and nine score involvements – a gargantuan performance.
David King believes the loss of Josh Dunkley has turned Bontempelli into an even more dangerous player for the Bulldogs as he plays a more contested game style, and it’s hard to argue against it.
The ‘Bont’ has been one of the game’s absolute elite players for the last seven years, but he’s been genuinely scary in 2023 as a 27-year-old.
The fact that he may just be entering his prime now is borderline unfathomable given his career resume, but he’s never looked better than does right now.
Connor Rozee has gone to new heights again
Another player that’s taken his game to the next level, there’s no doubt Connor Rozee is Port Adelaide’s best player.
Coming off an All-Australian season, Rozee looks an even better player in 2023 and that was on full display against West Coast as he kicked two goals, had eight inside 50s and 29 disposals in Saturday’s win.
While the numbers are obviously impressive, it’s Rozee’s nous in the contest and elite skills that separate him from the rest and the 23-year-old is beginning to truly take games by the scruff of the neck.
Club great Kane Cornes believes the midfielder is turning into a genuine top-10 player in the competition, and he may just enter that bracket if his form continues until the end of the season.
Grand Final rematch says a lot about the teams involved
Well, it was fun while it lasted for opposition fans, but the Cats are back.
After a slow start to the season, Geelong’s return to GMHBA was a statement as they blew the team they beat in the 2022 Grand Final off the park by a margin of 93 points.
With some of their cavalry back and the likes of Tom Hawkins getting into the season after an interrupted summer, the Cats are beginning to fire on all cylinders.
Conversely, the Swans just don’t look like the side that finished second last year as they also sit 3-3 through six rounds.
While there’s no doubt Sydney are down without some important players, early losses to Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Geelong probably suggest they’re back in the pack of a good side, but not a great one.
It’ll be interesting to see if they can do what Geelong do once some players return and truly show us what they’re capable of.
Saints are legit as questions linger over Blues
In a game that was set to be a true test of where both teams are at, St Kilda and Carlton both confirmed their form lines – even though they both entered the round inside the top four.
For St Kilda, their organised defence and ability to be efficient inside 50 with a plethora of goalkicking options again came to the fore, and everyone in the competition knows they’ll need to be at their absolute best to get anything against this Ross Lyon side.
For Carlton, while they only had one loss to their name, their below-average percentage probably told a better story as the same issues continued to plague them.
While the Blues have some of the best players in the league on paper, the midfield and forward line just aren’t connecting as well as they should be.
The loss of Sam Docherty and Adam Saad also proved how important quality half-backs are in the modern game, and you can’t see the Blues doing much against many quality teams if the duo remain sidelined.
Luckily West Coast await next week, it could be the confidence booster this side needs.
Adelaide look like a different team away from home
Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve said Adelaide is on track to play finals, and that remains the case after they just got over the top of Hawthorn in Launceston.
Only grabbing the lead with about 90 seconds remaining, it would have been pleasing to see for Matthew Nicks that his side had enough class when it mattered to get the job done.
While we still think they’re a top-eight side, their form away from home leaves a lot to be desired and they’ll probably need to tidy up that part of their game if they’re to go deep in 2023.
After losing to GWS in Sydney in Round 1, their Round 6 matchup against the Hawks was just their second trip away from the Adelaide Oval.
To just knock off a team many expect to finish 18th probably suggests the Crows aren’t quite there yet when not in their nest.
It could be a part of that game that develops as the season goes on, but they’re going to need to put in some big performances away for everyone to truly believe in them.