1. Time for the Bulldogs to talk finals?
Maybe not yet, but it isn't far away. With their eighth win, the Western Bulldogs have climbed up to seventh on the ladder and moved a game clear inside the top eight. Written off by many pre-season, it's been fascinating to watch their revival under Luke Beveridge – built on elite pressure and ferocious tackling. A favourable run home – the Dogs should only start genuine outsiders against Collingwood and West Coast in their last nine games - suggests they are in the box seat to return to finals for the first time since 2010. Momentum is building at the Kennel, with Saturday night's victory the first time the Bullies have won three in a row since round 15, 2011.

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2. Brilliance and Benny Hill moments in a low-scoring arm-wrestle
First the positives: Dylan Buckley threading the eye of the needle with his left boot for a goal of the round contender in the second term; Jake Stringer's imperious answer from 55m off a step at the other end; and a towering grab by Carlton's human highlight package Andrejs Everitt in the goalsquare. But Cameron Wood and Levi Casboult's bungled attempt to share the footy in a wide-open 50m arc, where the ball bobbled around between them before Wood was caught holding the ball, summed up some of the inaccurate Blues' efforts in front of goal. 

3. Rising star builds his case
He's already the favourite to take out the NAB AFL Rising Star award, but Patrick Cripps' chances of joining the illustrious club seem to be growing by the week. The 20-year-old shrugged off a knee scare in the opening term to almost inspire the Blues to an unlikely triumph. Cripps did it all, tackling, chasing, using his 190cm frame to launch for high marks and wrench his trademark clearances from packs. His evening finished early due to a suspected ankle problem, but the emerging gun still ended up with 16 disposals – nine contested – six tackles, five marks and five clearances. 

4. Disappearing Dog makes his presence felt
The Western Bulldogs struck gold with tenacious 163cm Brownlow medallist Tony Liberatore and there's plenty to like about Caleb Daniel. Daniel had to cool his jets as the starting sub until half-time but ripped off the green vest and got involved immediately. The South Australian had nine touches in the third term, the highlight being a 45m set shot which sailed through post-high. As the Dogs rushed from everywhere to celebrate, Daniel disappeared amongst his teammates' bodies in a moment he'll remember forever. 

5. Popular veteran racks up 250
Not many former rookies wind up notching 250 AFL games and its credit to Matthew Boyd that he's sailed past the milestone in top form. The 32-year-old has been spoken about as an All Australian contender in his new role across half-back, helping to drive the Dogs' surprising push up the ladder. Boyd is averaging more kicks, disposals, uncontested possessions, marks and rebound 50s than last season, lending chief architect Bob Murphy a hand to set up attacking thrusts. On Saturday night, Boyd was one of the best on ground with 33 touches, 14 uncontested marks, five rebound 50s and a classy long-range goal, showing there's plenty of life in the old dog yet.