IN THIS week's Things We Learned, we discover a Hawk firming for a maiden All-Australian blazers, the Sun still improving and much, much more.

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

1) Hawk firms for maiden All-Australian blazer

Only five rounds have been completed in the 2026 season, but Hawthorn ruck Lucy Wales is well and truly firming for a maiden All-Australian blazer. Wales was sensational against the Bulldogs in round five, using her elite endurance to get around the ground and act as an outlet for the Hawks coming out of defence. Wales racked up 22 disposals, eight intercepts and three contested marks, continuing what has been a really solid campaign so far. Port Adelaide’s Matilda Scholz and Fremantle’s Mim Strom have been the premier rucks of the competition in recent times, but Wales is well and truly in that conversation now. - Dylan Bolch

2) Charlie Rowbottom is getting better

At just 23 years of age, Charlie Rowbottom already has quite the resume, earning two All-Australian jackets to go along with three best and fairests. However, the Gold Coast midfielder is on the improve, making one notable difference to her game in 2026. Already one of the best contested ball-winners in the competition, Rowbottom again showed against Collingwood she now puts a higher priority on the defensive side of her game as well. Whether it’s improved fitness, a dedication to that part of her game, or a combination of both, Rowbottom is getting between contests better and working back diligently to help her defenders. Her 29 disposals (17 contested) that included 11 clearances was crucial, but the improved defensive element of her game was what really caught the eye. – Michael Whiting

3) The Eagles can't afford to take Ella Roberts for granted

West Coast snared its first win of the season against Brisbane on Saturday and can thank one person for banking the four points. Ella Roberts was so dominant that it's not only hard to remember she's just 21 years old - it's impossible to believe. Born and bred in WA, there is the romance of a home state connection, but Roberts – who grew up a Freo supporter - is going to be courting huge attention from across the country when contract talks come around next year, and the Eagles can't take anything for granted. Daisy Pearce needs her young superstar's signature on paper and she needs it now. - Howard Kimber

4) This dangerous Dee is up and about

Tayla Harris looks to be relishing life under new coach Tom Wilson. The Melbourne forward was back to her high-flying best, taking a number of her signature contested marks on Sunday against Port Adelaide. Harris had 15 disposals, six score involvements, four marks and two goals in arguably her best game for the season. Harris was one of nine individual goalkickers for the Dees, highlighting how the club is playing cohesive, team-first footy in their undefeated start to the season. – Phoebe McWilliams

5) This is shaping up as another AA year for Harriet Cordner

Carlton might not have come away with the win, but it was Harriet Cordner's – and her side's – defensive efforts that gave North Melbourne an almighty scare on Sunday afternoon. Bringing the pressure all game, the Blues held the Kangaroos to an uncharacteristic four goals. Disciplined and organised in defence, Cordner anchors this structure. She had an equal career-best 17 intercept possessions of 29 against the Kangaroos after 16 last week against Collingwood. Post-game, coach Mathew Buck was full of praise for Cordner's work, in particular outside game day, going through vision and ever-improving on her craft. Could she find yet another level against her old side Melbourne next week? - Danielle Croci

6) Purring Cats midfield is hard to stop

Geelong’s historic first-ever win against Adelaide came on the back of a powerful midfield display that most clubs will find hard to stop when firing on all cylinders. Led by Georgie Prespakis with a game-high 32 possessions, the Cats’ high-powered onball brigade wrenched the momentum away from the Crows in a pivotal second quarter. Geelong had 39 more disposals than Adelaide for the term and banged through three unanswered goals to help set up a fourth win of the season. - Jason Phelan

7) Returning Docker can fill crucial role 

While the Dockers wait for a diagnosis on dual All-Australian Emma O'Driscoll's ankle injury, they can do so knowing that young defender Holly Egan has the class to step up if given more intercepting responsibility. Egan was immense early against Essendon on Sunday after O'Driscoll went down, showing her ability to peel off and then rebound with six disposals and four intercepts for the quarter. After recovering from an ACL injury and making her debut in round one, Egan has shown flashes of her talent and is now a stronger and smarter defender whose fast feet make her an attacking threat when she gets chances to take the game on. O'Driscoll is a crucial player for the Dockers, but there is clearly scope for Egan to soak up some of her senior teammates' responsibility if needed. – Nathan Schmook

8) Emerging young star a rare bright spot for Saints

Third gamer Jade McLay played a lone hand up forward for the Saints against Richmond, finishing with 4.1 in a performance that pleased senior coach Nick Dal Santo. The St Kilda senior coach said the 19-year-old was only scratching the surface of her potential, and highlighted that her attack on the ball and strong physical presence would serve her and the club well in the midfield as well as up forward. And while Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw struggled to make an impact for St Kilda, splitting time between the ruck and the forward line, it seems the pair certainly has the talent and to become a formidable forward force for the Saints in years to come. - Lincoln Tracy

9) Sydney's uncontested ball movement breaks games open

Sydney proved it can completely control a derby without winning the dirty work in the trenches. While GWS edged both clearances (28–21) and contested possessions (131–118), the Swans completely sliced the Giants open out wide, racking up a +22 margin in uncontested footy (138–116). By using clean kick-and-mark chains into open space, Sydney generated 10 more inside-50s (46–36) and created far higher-quality scoring shots. When the Swans hit the trigger to take the game on out of back-half transitions, the Giants simply couldn't match their speed or delivery into the forward 50. It shows that under Colin O'Riordan, Sydney's structural setup and outside efficiency can render an opponent's inside stoppage dominance completely irrelevant on the scoreboard. - Emily Patterson