The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.
1. Kangaroos dispose of another would-be challenger
They were challenged strongly in both the second and third terms, but the Kangaroos were convincing in remaining undefeated. When the Suns got within three points midway through the third, it felt like North Melbourne's streak was in jeopardy, but seven straight goals later it was a landslide. The pressure around each contest was enormous, led by midfielders Nick Dal Santo, Andrew Swallow and Ben Cunnington, and when Gold Coast tried to spread, there was a North player in their face. Next up, Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
2. Another notch on Goldstein's belt
It was a case of the master being too good for his apprentice when Todd Goldstein added Daniel Currie's name to his growing list of victims. Currie spent three years at Arden St, playing just four games in Goldstein's shadow, and found out just why the Kangaroo is the reigning All Australian ruckman. Currie gave away a free kick at the opening bounce, and after Gary Ablett gave away a 50m penalty, Goldstein had the game's opening goal. He kicked two in the first term, was the catalyst for the decisive 19-10 centre clearance dominance and finished with 18 disposals in another first-class performance.
3. Rough night for Gaz
From the opening minutes when Gary Ablett copped a kick to his calf, it was going to be a long night. It didn't get much better in the second quarter when Ben Cunnington was reported for rough conduct againsthim. The dual Brownlow medallist hobbled around for a while but kept on giving. While his usual explosion hasn't quite been there in the opening five weeks, the Suns' skipper lifted in the third quarter and finished with 28 disposals, six clearances and a final-quarter goal.
4. Forward line shootout worth the Waite
In Tom Lynch and Jarrad Waite, this game offered up the competition's two hottest forwards – and they didn't disappoint. Lynch was again a colossus for the Suns, despite often being double-teamed and closely scragged by Scott Thompson. He kicked four goals from his eight marks (four contested) to keep his lead atop the Coleman Medal list. Waite was not to be outdone. He gave off four goals in the first half and cashed in during the final quarter, kicking two of his own. They had plenty of help, with Peter Wright (three goals) playing his best game for the Suns, and Ben Brown (four) and Drew Petrie (two) taking advantage of their smaller Suns opponents.
5. Hot foot race between the young and the old
They might be 16 years apart in age, but the foot race between Adam Saad and Brent Harvey during the third quarter was one to remember. Saad chased a loose ball deep into the Suns' back pocket, picked it up and immediately set off on one of his trademark run-and-bounce dashes. Boomer chased as hard as his 37-year-old legs could, but four bounces and 50m later, Saad was free and putting his team into attack. It was a breathtaking race between two of the game's quickest movers.
