AFL takeaways: Danger’s ultimate act ‘one thing to behold’

Round 8 of the AFL season is within the books, and it used to be unquestionably each narrative heavy and persisted to play havoc with everyone’s pointers.

It’s getting tougher to believe shape strains, with Sydney and Geelong temporarily turning their struggles round to overcome high quality warring parties, whilst Carlton and Port Adelaide let profitable streaks evaporate.

Here are 5 takeaways from the weekend’s effects:

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Patrick Dangerfield cementing mythical standing with ultimate profession arc

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

The 35-year-old has kicked 16 objectives throughout 8 video games, to move with 17.4 disposals in keeping with recreation, however it is his energy and burst this is harking back to the Brownlow Medallist at his height.

He became again the clock in opposition to Collingwood, discovering 29 disposals to move with two function assists and used to be arguably very best on floor. Last week in opposition to Carlton he smashed a pack open within the fourth quarter with ferocity few others may reflect at any age.

It’s nonetheless early within the season and the Cats will unquestionably arrange their captain’s workload, however Dangerfield having the ability to affect the sport like this within the ultimate segment of his profession is moderately the premiership wildcard.

Champion midfielders completing their careers as forwards isn’t a brand new trope, and whilst it has well-known successes like Gary Ablett Jr, Dustin Martin and Leigh Matthews, regularly it has a tendency to only be some way of phasing out a celeb.

Not for Dangerfield, who’s as soon as once more reminding other people why he merits to be at the podium when discussing the most efficient avid gamers within the pageant since 2015.

Bulldogs now in awkward Bevo limbo

The Bulldogs sit down 5th at the ladder after 8 video games, boast a proportion of 127 and proceed to triumph over key accidents to provide effects like their 90-point win over Port Adelaide in Ballarat.

So … what do they do with Luke Beveridge? They obviously sought after to attend till all over the season to make a decision at the premiership trainer, given the inconsistent finishes the membership has had because the 2021 grand ultimate, however they now in finding themselves in an ungainly spot.

The Power in 2023 had been on this very same scenario and opted to increase trainer Ken Hinkley by means of two years in August … sooner than the membership fell aside within the finals, going out in directly units. Now, they’re set to transport on from Hinkley on the finish of 2025 after they most likely would have again then, had they waited a couple of additional weeks.

Would or not it’s making the similar mistake for the Dogs to transport now given now not best their shape, however Beveridge’s skill to hide the absence of megastar avid gamers constantly and the power the gang is obviously taking part in with? Or is it the proper name to fasten him in longer term and get it out of the way in which?

Beveridge has mentioned he may not be training any place in 2026 if it isn’t on the Bulldogs, so the ball is definitely and actually of their court docket, however they will really feel somewhat damned in the event that they do, damned if they do not.

Freo’s listing is a ways too just right to be this dour at the street

The aspect Fremantle put at the park on Friday evening in opposition to St Kilda sought after for not anything. Two emerging megastar key forwards, a lot of small ahead threats, a trio of dominant midfielders, two of the sport’s best paid ruckmen and a rock forged backline of confirmed veterans.

While they have got a couple of avid gamers on their damage listing, you must argue that they had all in their key body of workers available in the market in opposition to the Saints, and nonetheless by some means controlled best 33 issues.

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

But severe questions should be requested if he can not produce effects with this listing out of doors of Western Australia, in particular at the offensive finish, the place he has constantly struggled lately.

Away from house this season they had been smashed by means of Geelong, misplaced to a suffering Melbourne and had been belted by means of St Kilda. Yes, they have got appeared respectable at house, however they’re a center of the pack group at very best if they may be able to’t carry out at the street.

Carlton is formally Adelaide’s bunny

Say what you need about Adelaide trainer Matthew Nicks, however something this is with out query is that he has utterly solved Carlton and trainer Michael Voss’ taste of footy.

The Blues have performed the Crows 4 occasions in Voss’ tenure, losing all 4. Three of the ones video games had been in Adelaide, with a mean dropping margin of 48 issues in the ones video games.

Nicks and his males have thrashed Carlton in uncontested possessions, hit-outs and marks inside of 50 throughout this profitable streak, denying Carlton the competition and power recreation they thrive off and hurting them the opposite direction with quick kicking and pace.

The query for the Crows is whether or not they may be able to get started making use of this sort of tactical dominance in opposition to different groups, particularly making an allowance for their inconsistent season total.

As for the Blues, they continue to be one of the crucial nice mysteries of the season up to now.

Sydney creativity proves Dean Cox belongs

Sydney trainer Dean Cox has been within the highlight given his group’s deficient begin to the season and he reveals himself in a difficult spot total, changing premiership trainer John Longmire.

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

Cox obviously opted to get inventive with their ahead combine given the presence of GWS’ megastar intercept defenders in Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley, their loss of wholesome choices and their loss of want to throw Tom McCartin ahead once more after making an attempt more than one occasions this 12 months already.

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

Not best had been the jobs efficient, however Hamling even kicked his first profession function because the Swans picked up what is also a season-sparking win.

A credit score to Cox, who will want time to seek out his ft within the most sensible process.