IN THIS week's Things We Learned, we discover there's more than one side to a Swans star, a Bombers mid desperately needs a chop out, and much, much more.

Check out what we learned from round 11 of the 2026 season.

1) This Demon is well and truly in contention for Rising Star

In a season where so many talented youngsters have fitted in seamlessly at the highest level, there's a Melbourne defender who is a class above. In wet and slippery conditions on Saturday night against the Bulldogs, Jordy Allen was clean and composed looking like someone who had been playing AFLW for a lot longer than her 10 matches. In the rain, Allen had 23 disposals, 412m gained, nine intercept possessions and five inside 50s. Allen must be in the conversations when it comes to this season's Rising Star Award. - Phoebe McWilliams

2) Chloe Molloy is about more than just kicking goals

Chloe Molloy's elite output is driven as much by her defensive work rate as her offensive flair. The Swans star kicked a season-high five goals in the 22-point win over West Coast, including four in the second half and her 100th AFLW career goal, but her influence stretched far beyond the scoreboard. A versatile forward-midfielder capable of rotating on-ball to shift momentum, Molloy generates much of her attack through relentless pressure. Her goals are not simply served on a platter; they're often created through her work forward of centre, where she laid three inside-50 tackles - an equal game-high - and won holding-the-ball free kicks through desperate defensive chases. - Emily Patterson

3) This Bomber desperately needs support 

The star Bomber is in career-best touch, picking up another 38 disposals, nine clearances and seven tackles in her side’s five-point loss to Hawthorn. Beyond that, Georgia Nanscawen had 22 touches, and then Georgia Gee with 17, while Amy Gaylor - playing in at centre-half back - also had 17. But few had the impact of Prespakis over the four quarters, with her increased endurance allowing her to cover the ground with ease and continue to be involved in disposal chains. It’s no longer enough to have a one-two punch midfield. The best sides in the league bat down to five quality mids, and it’s an area Essendon need to seriously invest in over the next few years. - Sarah Black

4) Power, Pies are heading in different directions

Friday night’s clash at Alberton Oval was a stark illustration of the different directions Port Adelaide and Collingwood are heading. With Abbey Dowrick, Matilda Scholz and Shineah Goody leading the charge, the emerging Power played one of its most complete games of a campaign where Glenn Strachan’s side has made encouraging inroads in his first season in charge. By contrast, the faltering Pies slumped to a new low few thought was possible in an already disastrous season. After his side failed to kick a goal for the first time in its AFLW history, coach Sam Wright conceded Collingwood’s problems won’t be a quick fix. - Jason Phelan

5) The Lions won't be down for long

Brisbane is set to miss finals for just the second time in club history, but it looks more like an aberration than the beginning of a rebuild. The Lions had nine different goalkickers in a 52-point drubbing of the Saints, their second score above 60 points this season. The win delivered two special milestones, with Nat Grider kicking her first AFLW goal in 96 games and premiership teammate Sophie Conway slotting a major after the siren in her 100th game. On the verge of a contract extension, Lions head coach Craig Starcevich said the mood and morale of the team has never wavered, and moments like that showed exactly why they're poised to climb back up the ladder. - Bede Briscomb

6) Don't forget about Chantal Mason

Amidst the outstanding form of Geelong trio Jackie Parry, Aishling Moloney, and Chloe Scheer this year, it would have been easy to miss the making of 21-year-old Chantal Mason. But after Saturday's performance against Fremantle, she can no longer claim under the radar status. It was Mason who set the Cats alight early with two first-quarter goals, and a hand in every other score for the quarter, as she went on to finish with 19 disposals, 10 score involvements, and three goals as one of the best on ground. Her capacity to leap at the footy and take a contested mark has been the biggest growth area of her game this year, but the confidence that time spent as a supporting ruck has given her allows her to get a feel for the game in a way she hasn't in previous seasons. Mason could very well be a difference-maker come finals. - Gemma Bastiani

7) There's some fight to go with the Suns' flair

Most of the headlines surrounding Gold Coast's dramatic rise this season have centred on the form of Charlie Rowbottom and their crop of exciting draftees, with the Suns a compelling watch through their high-octane style. However, in defeating Richmond on Saturday to qualify for finals, Rhyce Shaw's team had to show another side of their make-up. Down two players due to injury and running out of legs, the Suns withstood an avalanche of Tigers territory to cling on and win. Richmond generated 15 inside 50s in the final term to Gold Coast's six, setting up camp in the front half of the ground for the final 10 minutes. But the home team was able to calmly rush behinds and show a level of grit that should help them in November. – Michael Whiting

8) The Crows missing finals would be a missed opportunity

With one game still to play, the odds appear stacked against Adelaide in its quest to play finals in 2026. Finishing round 11 one game outside the top eight, the Crows not only need to win next week against third-placed Melbourne, but for other results to fall their way also. It's a shame, as Adelaide has shown it's more than capable of matching it against the best teams in the competition, defeating this year's big-improver Gold Coast last week and admirably keeping pace with the near-faultless North Melbourne for three quarters this week. While the Crows' rocky start to the season will ultimately prove their undoing, the way they've rallied and righted the ship is admirable, and with plenty of plucky young stars who would delight on the big stage, it's a bit of a shame they're unlikely to feature. Ah well, there's always next year. - Sophie Welsh

9) Alyce Parker is going from strength to strength

After playing a single half of footy in 2025 after a foot injury ended her season, Alyce Parker has taken her game to another level in 2026. After a three-goal performance last week in the Giants' win over Hawthorn, her 29 disposals, nine clearances and 479 metres gained in the pouring rain in Sunday evening's narrow loss to Carlton were vital. Coach Cam Bernasconi praised her contest work and ability to get dangerous ahead of the ball - even if it didn’t result in a score in the tough conditions. In another difficult season for the Giants, as players like Cambridge McCormack consider their future at the club, a fit and firing Parker is vital to take the side forward. - Danielle Croci