IN THIS week's Things We Learned, we discover a Crow is in career-best form, it's time to take notice of the Western Bulldogs and much, much more.

Check out what we learned from round four of the 2026 season.

1) Once again, Collingwood is in a serious scoring hole

Collingwood's scoring is not a new problem, with the Pies having struggled to find a consistent path to goal ever since Chloe Molloy left for Sydney. Coach Sam Wright argues Collingwood's ball movement is developing to a better place to give the forward line greater opportunity, and the Pies faced a stern test on Sunday against the strength of Carlton's backline. But up until the dying minutes of the game, Ruby Schleicher had kicked the entirety of the Pies score of 22, leading a forward line with Kalinda Howarth and a smattering of undersized draftees. Imogen Barnett, Ash Centra and Mattea Breed were all injured (albeit the latter returning from an appendix operation), while Sabrina Frederick is currently on managed minutes. Bri Davey could be an option in attack, but that lever has not yet been pulled, as she is also needed around the ball - Sarah Black

2) It's time to sit up and take notice of the Dogs

Western Bulldogs coach Tam Hyett noted that "becoming relevant" was a big focus for her side last year after a challenging few seasons, and her young team is now putting it together. Running over the previously undefeated Swans, the Bulldogs smashed them in clearances (+15) and contested possessions (+45). Co-captain Isabelle Pritchard is taking her game to another level leading the midfield, while young Rylie Wilcox and Jess Fitzgerald are building too, with key forward Emma McDonald standing tall in the final term for the three goals that sunk the Swans. Now sitting at 3-1, if Saturday afternoon is anything to go by, Hyett is right - the Bulldogs are more than relevant now. - Danielle Croci

3) This Demon can use her wheels to slice

It will take some serious application and running power to contain Naarm midfielder Eliza McNamara this season after the 24-year-old produced the best performance of her career with a game-high 32 disposals and two goals against Waalitj Marawar on Sunday. McNamara has continued to work on her elite ability to cover the ground on the wing and it showed at Mineral Resources Park as she sliced through the Eagles in transition and used the ball with skill to have a game-high nine score involvements. It was McNamara's second quarter that turned the game with 11 disposals, with coach Tom Wilson describing her ability to show up constantly at contests as the best he has seen. A big year looms if the endurance beast continues to use her running power in such a damaging way. – Nathan Schmook

4) If one Roo doesn't hurt you, another will

North Melbourne is one of the hardest sides to match up against and on Saturday, they showed why. Up forward, the Roos have some seriously dangerous smalls, with Blaithin Bogue, Vikki Wall and Alice O'Loughlin as well as mids Bella Eddey and Eilish Sheerin who roll through there as well. The Saints did a reasonable job shutting them down on Saturday, but North's talls had an absolute day out, with Tahlia Randall and Kate Shierlaw kicking a bag of nine between them. The Roos' round four game against the Saints highlighted that while you can nullify one group of forwards, it’s the other that will get you. - Phoebe McWilliams

5) The Dockers have increased their depth, and it's having an impact

For many years, Walyalup has been reliant on a handful of stars in order to win matches - usually a combination of Kiara Bowers, Hayley Miller, Mim Strom and Áine Tighe when fit, with the occasional Emma O'Driscoll cameo. But now Gab Newton and Aisling McCarthy (absent against the Tigers) have added grunt through the middle, and the kids are now working their way into the system. Georgie Brisbane was a handful in attack and allowed Bella Smith and Eden Zanker (both recent recruits) to handle the ruck after Strom's injury. Noa McNaughton was a livewire across half-forward, while Aoife Healy added significant height on the wing. In order for the Dockers to improve, they needed to seriously attack their list, and gains have certainly been made. - Sarah Black

6) The talented Suns add grit to the mix

Four rounds into the season, the Suns have two wins on the board, which was as many as they managed all last season on their way to the wooden spoon. A key factor in that improvement has been the addition of some grit and determination to the mix. That was on display in a dour contest against Yartapuulti at a wind-swept Alberton Oval on Saturday. Undoubtedly talented but still a young side, Gold Coast could have wilted in the face of the Power's late pressure in the past, but Daisy D'Arcy, Charlie Rowbottom and company dug deep to seal a thrilling win. - Jason Phelan

7) This Crows winger is in career-best form

Maddi Newman has played more than 70 games, but she may just be putting together the best season of her AFLW career right now. Newman has starred on the wing in 2026 and is a crucial part of the way the Crows have moved the ball this year. She's got elite pace, has used the ball really well and makes sound decisions. The 25-year-old is averaging career-high numbers for disposals, goals and marks, highlighting how she has taken her game to the next level under new coach Ryan Davis. Newman has polled coaches' votes in two out of three games already this season and will likely figure again this week after an instrumental performance against the Hawks, finishing with 23 touches and a goal. Does a maiden All Australian blazer await? - Dylan Bolch

8) This trio of Cats can do a lot of damage

Expectations of Geelong in 2026 were high in the pre-season but reassessed by many after a 73-point round one thumping at the hands of North Melbourne. The Cats’ opponents since have been a class lower than the Roos, but new coach Mick Stinear now looks to be familiar with his gun ball winners Nina Morrison, Mikayla Bowen and Georgie Prespakis, and is getting the absolute most out of his midfield. Against North, the trio combined for 56 disposals, but in the following weeks they have averaged 87 as a group and were massive again in the win against Essendon on Sunday. If Stinear can keep his engine room tuned and firing the way it has through the past three rounds, the Cats should return to finals for the first time since 2023. Whether they can close the gap between themselves and the Roos is another question altogether. - Howard Kimber

9) The Lions are regenerating on the run

Brisbane still hasn't quite figured out how to cover for the off-season loss of Taylor Smith and the unexpected absence of Courtney Hodder, but the Lions made positive steps against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night. The 31-point win is even more impressive given the majority of the tall forward options the Lions had tried up until this point (Neasa Dooley and Eleanor Harrell) were also out with injury. Dakota Davidson competed well and split contests, while Evie Long was another tall target up forward. In the absence of Ruby Svarc and Marlo Graham, Shanae Davison was dangerous in front of the sticks, buzzing around goal and bringing plenty of pressure. It's all a work in progress, and fans - as well as the team itself - will need to be patient as the Lions work out their best set-up as tough match-ups await last year's Grand Finalists in the next few weeks. - Sophie Welsh