IN THIS week's Things We Learned, we discover the Cats are becoming more dangerous by the week, write the Crows off at your own peril and much, much more.

Check out what we learned from round 10 of the 2026 season.

1) The Cats' ball use is sharpening 

There was a passage of play from Geelong in the third quarter against West Coast on Saturday that would have made premiership rivals stand up and take notice. It didn't end in a goal, but the way midfield stars Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison and Mikayla Bowen combined was an indication that the Cats are getting more and more damaging as finals approach and they spend more time working under new coach Mick Stinear. Highlighting the damaging style the Cats are playing, Prespakis had a career-high 13 score involvements over the game, and a game-high 11 possessions in a third-quarter burst. Geelong's forwards have been celebrated for their firepower, but the work up the field should be just as scary for opposition teams. - Nathan Schmook

2) Adelaide can do some damage if …

It's still a big 'if' despite a pulsating win against Gold Coast, but the Crows can do some damage in the finals if they make it. Teenager Chloe Bown played arguably the best game of her short career as Adelaide brought the Suns' six-game winning streak to an end with its most complete display of the season to improve to a 5-5 record. With Grace and Niamh Kelly hitting the scoreboard, Ebony Marinoff doing Ebony Marinoff things on the ball and Sarah Allan expertly marshalling the defence, Ryan Davis has his side firing on all cylinders at the sharp end of the season. - Jason Phelan

3) Belle Dawes is still Brisbane's barometer

When her team needed a midfield lift against an opponent known for its hardness around the contest, it was little surprise Brisbane turned to Belle Dawes against Port Adelaide on Saturday. After being beaten soundly at stoppages during their five-game losing streak, Dawes was assigned the task of going with clearance queen Abbey Dowrick. Although the Port ace had her share of the footy, it was Dawes that energised the Lions with her game-high nine tackles and relentless hunt on the footy and opposition. Her ice-cool third quarter goal gave the hosts some breathing space, and although 16 disposals don't jump off the stats sheet, Dawes again proved her impact goes far beyond numbers. – Michael Whiting

4) No Hore, no Austin, no worries for Demons

There were concerns about Melbourne's forward line leading into Friday night's clash against Richmond, with skipper Kate Hore (neck) and leading goalkicker Mia Austin (throat) both sidelined  with injury. But the Dees showed they have plenty of firepower to call on with nine individual goalscorers in a strong team performance. High forward Ryleigh Wotherspoon led the way with a career-best four goals, while Georgia Gall stepped into Austin's role as deepest forward kicking two of her own. Of course, the Dees will welcome the return of Hore and Austin, but in the meantime, they showed on Friday night they have plenty of other options capable of hitting the scoreboard. - Phoebe McWilliams

5) Freo forward has been an excellent find 

Noa McNaughton only landed on Fremantle's list in May as a pre-season signing after Àine Tighe was moved to the inactive list, but the small forward has made a big impact since. On Sunday, she was vital to Fremantle's 11-point win, booting a brilliant checkside goal in the second quarter before lifting magnificently in the last term. When Fremantle fell behind, it was McNaughton who used her class to snap a crucial goal in response, then using her speed and attacking instincts to set up Eden Zanker for another two minutes later. The Dockers lost a dominant tall forward when Tighe was ruled out for 2026 with her ACL injury, but they found a very valuable and exciting small one in McNaughton. – Nathan Schmook

6) It's time to give Maddy Prespakis her flowers

Essendon midfielder Maddy Prespakis knew she had to go to work over the off-season and improve her game. Despite her obvious strengths around the contest, Prespakis was struggling to get involved when the game was in transition last year, so spent plenty of time working on her fitness and running ability over the off-season. To say that hard work paid off would be an understatement. Prespakis is covering the ground as well as she ever has which was clear in warm conditions at Windy Hill on Sunday. The star Don, who will surely be in the All-Australian squad discussions this year, recorded 32 disposals and did everything to keep her side in the contest. - Dylan Bolch

7) This unheralded Swan needs to play for the rest of the season

Sydney has experimented two different looks in recent weeks around its limited supply of talls, and playing back-up ruck Caitlin Reid against Collingwood on Sunday appears to be the most potent result in the absence of Ally Morphett. Coach Colin O'Riordan indicated the Swans were likely to stick with Reid in the 21, given it allowed Taylor Smith much more time in attack. Not only did the recruit kick three of her own (after going goalless last weekend), smaller forwards Chloe Molloy and Cynthia Hamilton were much more potent, given they had both Smith and first-year tall Maddie Quinn to bring the ball to ground - Sarah Black

8) Young pup shows plenty of fight

Second-year forward Emma McDonald's selection for the round 10 clash against Carlton was somewhat of a talking point after sustaining an elbow injury in last week's 43-point win over Essendon. But senior coach Tam Hyett said the 20-year-old was always more likely than unlikely to play, a decision that ultimately proved to be correct. McDonald finished with six marks and two goals, getting the better of Madeline Hendrie when it mattered. Hyett praised the 20-year-old for her competitiveness and resilience on Saturday afternoon. "It was a pretty big knock to the elbow, but I think the sign of a really strong [player] whose still learning that resilience," she said. "You've got to learn to deal with potentially a bit of soreness. We didn’t really have any concerns with her not playing, and are really proud with the way that she showed up." - Lincoln Tracy

9) Composure under pressure cost Hawthorn

Hawthorn’s finals hopes suffered a blow against GWS on Sunday afternoon, undone in the dying moments by a split-second decision from star forward Áine McDonagh. With the Hawks' season on the line and trailing by two points, McDonagh marked in the forward pocket with less than 30 seconds remaining, within range to kick for the win. Instead, she played on, snapping under pressure and sending the ball wide. McDonagh has been one of Hawthorn's biggest weapons all season, with her 22 goals putting her atop the goalkicking leaderboard, but the late miss proved costly as the Giants held on. Post-match, coach Daniel Webster lamented Hawthorn's execution late, saying his side hadn't been good enough when it mattered most. - Emily Patterson