IN THIS week's Things We Learned, we discover the Swans have midfield options, North Melbourne with George Wardlaw in the side just feels different plus much, much more.
Check out what we learned from round 22 of the 2026 season.
*This article will be updated after the match between St Kilda and Carlton on Sunday night
1) This classy Crow is rising at the right time
Izak Rankine's performance against Richmond on Saturday night broke the record for the most ranking points accumulated by an Adelaide player. That in itself is an achievement, but when you consider his 37 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 12 clearances, seven inside-50s, six tackles and a goal came in torrential rain in a game that threatened to push the Crows outside the top six, it becomes an historic performance that may have saved his team's season. Rankine missed Adelaide's 2025 finals campaign through suspension, but since round 17 he has ranked inside the top five in player ratings, elevating his game at the perfect time for the Crows' premiership push. Incredibly, Rankine has never played in a finals game, but he looks ready to launch in September. - Bede Briscomb
2) Fremantle's flag chances may lie with its skipper
The normally mild-mannered Justin Longmuir wasn't beating around the bush when it came to critiquing Fremantle's four-point loss to Melbourne on Saturday. In just its third defeat of the season, Longmuir specifically called out his back six, saying they were "average behind the ball" and "really poor at ground level". Captain Alex Pearce had been rested for the trip to Melbourne given his lengthy injury history and how many games he'd managed to string together this season, and replacement Brennan Cox was rusty after a few weeks off himself. Longmuir specifically highlighted the lack of leadership behind the footy, signifying Pearce - not the tall forwards, dependable midfielders, Luke Jackson or Shai Bolton - is likely to be Fremantle's most important player at the pointy end of September - Sarah Black
3) Harley Reid has the mental strength to match his physical powerÂ
For so much of Harley Reid's first 59 games, the young superstar has relied on his power and speed to elevate himself in games and get on top of opponents. Against Collingwood on Sunday, however, he was stripped of his weapons by a corked leg in the first quarter after a collision with ruck Darcy Cameron that left him hobbled. With his leg heavily strapped in then second half, Reid pushed through the pain and continued to have an influence in a different way, winning a game-high nine disposals in the third term but handballing almost all of them before a late goal, while he had another 10 disposals - eight of them handballs - as the Eagles surged in the fourth quarter. It's been a season of growth for Reid when it comes to physical preparation, off-the-ball scuffles, and free kicks. Sunday's game was another example of his growth, showing he can still influence games through sheer willpower, not just physical power. – Nathan Schmook
4) The Roos are just different when George Wardlaw plays
Far too often this season, North Melbourne has lacked the necessary hard-nosed edge to beat sides above it on the ladder. Heading into Thursday night's clash against the Western Bulldogs, the Roos had lost five in a row and four of those defeats were without George Wardlaw as he battled another hamstring strain. Whether that's a coincidence or not remains to be seen, but the 22-year-old's return showcased exactly what Alastair Clarkson's side has been missing. Despite being on managed minutes, Wardlaw sparked his team around the ball, gathering 19 disposals, kicking a goal and laying four tackles, including a bone-crunching hit on Ed Richards that fired up the Roos faithful. If Wardlaw can stay fit and healthy into 2027, it'll go a long way towards North reaching finals for the first time since 2016. - Brandon Cohen
5) This Suns gun's return to form is timely as rivals prepare to circle again
It has been a disrupted season for Matt Rowell, but the Brownlow medallist is well and truly getting back to his best late in the year for the Suns. Rowell has dealt with hand and ankle injuries in 2026 which have hindered his impact, but his recent run of good form reached new heights in Sunday's win over Greater Western Sydney as he produced one of the performances of the season. Rowell had 40 disposals, 17 clearances, 16 tackles, seven score involvements and 881 metres gained to lead the Suns past the Giants. Rowell attracted plenty of rival interest before he re-signed with the Suns last year, but the midfield bull is a free agent at the end of next season and a return to top form is sure to only increase the desire for his services heading into what will be a fascinating 2027 for the Suns. - Dejan Kalinic
6) An unlikely Swans duo has stepped up in midfield
Heading into Sydney's clash with Port Adelaide, questions hovered over who would fill the midfield void with James Rowbottom and Justin McInerney both sidelined. Stepping up to answer the call, Braeden Campbell (22 disposals and five clearances) spent valuable time at the centre ball-ups, while Jai Serong (24, 11 tackles, three clearances and a goal) provided crucial midfield depth, size and versatility during key patches. This duo's impact in the reshuffled stoppage set-up delivered, as the Swans won clearances 41-38 and piled on nine unanswered second-quarter goals, kicking 5.2 directly from centre ball-ups in a game-changing blitz. Scores from stoppages has been an issue for the Swans against the better teams, so the emergence of the pair gives Dean Cox another lever to pull in finals. – Emily Patterson
7) The Hawks have time, but they desperately need to bridge the gap
The Hawks are sitting third and in a great spot with a fortnight of the home and away season remaining, but Brisbane taught them there's a gap that needs bridging if they're truly to contend for this year's premiership. Sam Mitchell's team is now 2-4 against fellow top-six teams this season and it's been 10 weeks since they've claimed one of those scalps (against Adelaide), although there's been a distinct lack of opportunities with their draw. Brisbane's pressure was suffocating, and although Hawthorn won the clearance numbers, it was repeatedly forced into turnovers that springboarded the premiers' attack. And when they went forward, there was little potency inside 50, with Nick Watson having a rare quiet night. The personnel is there, and if they're good enough, this was a great time to cop the lessons, learn from them and be right to push the big hitters in September. - Michael Whiting
8) The two Ollies show the Cats' depth
Geelong's hot start to its Saturday twilight game against the Bombers was largely thanks to two players, coincidentally with the same name. One had odd-coloured boots and long blond hair, the other dark hair and an exceptional leap and mark, with the two kicking seven of the Cats' first 10 goals, including an equal career-best to Dempsey in just one half of footy. Both Dempsey and Henry finished with four as Shannon Neale, meanwhile, kicked three. The Cats had no trouble hitting the scoreboard on Saturday despite having three of their stars missing - Jeremy Cameron, Max Holmes and skipper Patrick Dangerfield - showing the depth at the Cattery. Heading into finals, the Cats shouldn't be underestimated despite their injury concerns. – Phoebe McWilliams
