WELCOME to Reaction Time.

Early each week, AFL.com.au's Riley Beveridge will discuss the topic that deserves a reaction at your club and grade it on the 'Urgency Index'.

It could be anything from an issue that's got a team pondering drastic change, or the form of an underrated star that requires immediate recognition.

The gradings, which relate specifically to the topics, are as follows:

• Panic Stations.
• Simmering.
• Watch This Space.
• Green Shoots.
• Flying.

In this week's Reaction Time we delve into how one player haunted Adelaide twice in a week, how a Fremantle forward produced the big response, Geelong's growing list need, Brisbane's three-minute drill to win through to another preliminary final, and how a real life episode of Family Feud could unfold this weekend.

If there was a collective groan emanating out of West Lakes last Monday afternoon, when news that Zac Bailey would turn down Adelaide's lucrative free agency offer to stay at Brisbane on an eight-year deal first started filtering through, they would have grown even louder by the time Saturday night rolled around. Of course, he would produce this type of performance to end the Crows' season following their near-12-month chase to secure his signature. Adelaide had no answer for Big Time Bailey, who finished with 23 disposals, three goals, six scores, three goal assists and 14 score involvements in another huge display on the biggest stage. Adelaide will go again as it pursues the difference-maker its list vitally needs, and will undoubtedly have the likes of South Australian duo Nasiah Wangeneen-Milera and Will Day in its sights in 2027, but will that be too late for an already under-pressure Matthew Nicks as he enters a contract year next season?

Urgency Index: Simmering.

Gone in 190 seconds. That's how long it took for Brisbane to seal its spot in the preliminary final on Saturday night and once again reestablish its position as the most dangerous wounded animal in the jungle. When the Lions were whipped by the Giants, they responded by peeling off seven consecutive wins by an average margin of 43 points. When they were blown out by the Blues, they rebounded with three straight victories by an average of 57 points. And after being smoked by the Swans in last week's qualifying final, this was the answer. Three minutes, seven entries, six scores, five goals, and another timely reminder of why Chris Fagan's side might still be the team to beat in 2026.

Urgency Index: Flying.

This was the Treacy Transformation game. After his four-disposal no-show against Hawthorn last week, Josh Treacy responded with a performance of pivotal importance to help Fremantle rebound against Geelong. He clunked eight marks, including three contested grabs, to go with 13 disposals, a goal, two goal assists and was involved in seven scores to finish as the fifth highest-rated Docker on the ground. Timing is everything for Treacy, who will now face a likely matchup against Tom McCartin in next week's preliminary final. That spells good news for the Freo forward, with Champion Data noting he's kicked 11 goals from his last four games when directly paired with McCartin.

Urgency Index: Green Shoots.

This is why Geelong will go hard after Rowan Marshall. Up against one of the very best on Friday night, the Cats allowed Luke Jackson to get off the chain. The All-Australian ruck produced a dominant performance with 25 disposals, two goals, 15 contested possessions, eight clearances, 12 score involvements and nine hitouts-to-advantage, as Geelong's ground-and-pound tactic of throwing numerous bodies at him fell short. A combination of youngster Mitch Edwards, veteran Mark Blicavs and a part-timer in Shannon Neale couldn't slow Freo's Firestarter as the Dockers won clearance by 13 and scored 76 points from stoppage, highlighting the Cats' need for a more reliable solution to their ruck headache. The talented Edwards has shown plenty in his first real season at this level, but he'll surely benefit from having the experienced Marshall alongside him.

Urgency Index: Simmering.

How much has Hawthorn learnt in five weeks? It was only that long ago when Brisbane ripped through Sam Mitchell's side, scoring 35 times from 65 entries to hand the Hawks their worst defeat in 831 days. Everything about that game was on the Lions' terms. They controlled it on the outside, taking 94 uncontested marks. They dominated on the inside, winning contested footy by 11. And they profited on the scoreboard, going as far as 73 points in front late in the piece. But, if anyone can mastermind taking all of that away from the back-to-back reigning premier in barely a month's time, it's Mitchell.

Urgency Index: Watch This Space.

Might see an episode of Family Feud break out on Friday night: Serong v Serong. In his last five games, Sydney's Jai has rattled off a series of impressive shutdown jobs. According to Champion Data, he's kept Nasiah Wangeneen-Milera to 14 disposals in 84 minutes, Jason Horne-Francis to 14 disposals in 85 minutes, Zach Merrett to 18 disposals in 49 minutes, Luke Davies-Uniacke to nine disposals in 54 minutes, then Josh Dunkley to six disposals in 41 minutes. His target for the preliminary final? It might very well be his older brother in Fremantle's Caleb, who had 23 disposals, six clearances and a goal last week to finish as the Dockers' second highest-rated player on the ground in their semi-final win.

Urgency Index: Watch This Space.

FOOTY ASIDE …

Friday morning was simply brilliant. An unbelievable crowd of 100,021 at the MCG for the first ever NFL game on Australian shores, a ripping Melbourne spring day, the pubs on Richmond's famous Swan St bustling from 7am, and a Niners side deservedly romping to a 27-7 victory over the Rams after taking the past week to embrace everything about the occasion. Kyle Shanahan's side looked frisky with veteran addition Mike Evans pairing well with quarterback Brock Purdy and with Christian McCaffrey able to be used sparingly. There's no doubt they would have won over plenty of Australian neutrals with the way they handled themselves while over here, as well. More of that, please.

Urgency Index: Flying.