Eddie Betts' high point came in 2016 when he kicked 75 goals, after 63 in 2015 ...

last season's 29, and three from three games this year, is a sign of major - and for Don Pyke, worrying - decline.

Chris Fagan has spent every minute of the three 2019 season matches coaching from the interchange bench ...

it's only a matter of time before all his peers copy him. It's working, and this is a copycat industry.

there was a nightmare scenario for the Blues when they pondered life back in mid-March ...

it was losing the first three games before heading to the Gold Coast for round four. 

the Magpies have found the magic formula for beating Richmond (2018 prelim final, round two this year) ...

they now need to work on one to overcome the Eagles (round 17, qualifying final and Grand Final in 2018, round three in 2019).

they've chosen to take Hooker out of the leadership group ...

that's always going to be eyebrow-raising. Back from injury this week, and even without such status, he remains arguably the key to this team's hopes.

we know this is a futile request ...

we'll ask anyway in the hope of a miracle … please don't boo Gaff. He made a terrible mistake, it cost him greatly, he's been more than genuine in his regret and sorrow. Move on, like he has ... 

he's expertly met every challenge thrown his way to extraordinarily secure two best-and-fairest awards, and filled a heap of diverse roles since making his debut in 2013 ...

Mark Blicavs has another big responsibility on Saturday: matching the red-hot Jeremy Cameron. 

Hombsch, Collins and Miles all spent considerable time in respective state league comps last year and are now playing key roles in the AFL ...

expect more second-tier talent to be recruited to the Suns, as early as the mid-season draft. 

it doesn't quite roll off the tongue just yet like Dunstall and Brereton, Carey and Longmire, Brown and Lynch, Franklin and Roughead, Lloyd and Lucas or Roach and Cloke ...

if round three's 12 goals combined form is repeated and leads to an inaugural Giant premiership, 'The Jeremys' - Cameron and Finlayson – will too have their place in footy history and vernacular. 

Jaeger O'Meara is a late withdrawal with his hip problem, or plays sore ...

in old bookmaking parlance, the Hawks' odds of a win against the Saints go from 2-1 on ($1.50) to 6-4 ($2.50). He's become that crucial. 

you are one of the many who called for Nathan Jones to be dropped ...

don't do it again.

we thought the sky was the limit for Mason Wood three years ago ... 

we were probably wrong. Back in the team to play the Crows. Could still make it, but needs to rocket-launch immediately. 

Robbie Gray has been solid without being in the type of form that has earned him four Virgin Australia AFL All Australian jackets ...

a match against a Martin, Cotchin and Rance-less Richmond should get him back in selection meeting discussions.    

Dusty wants to go round dishing out an elbow to an opponent 80 metres off the ball ...

he deserves a three-week ban, not one. 

Hodgey was able to twice do it last year as an "on-field coach" for Brisbane and win games against his old team Hawthorn ...

Brett Ratten clearly looms as the key in the Saints' coaches' box against the Hawks on Sunday. Six years as Clarko's deputy should come in handy. 

most people are writing off this club's finals hopes ...

we'll be reserving judgement for one more week. But one more week only.  

Fyfe isn't playing in the Derby ...

here comes Eagles win No.3 for the year.

JJ returning to the seniors is good news ... 

Boyd making a comeback through the VFL is arguably even better. 

you scrapped the entire Tribunal system ...

you'd also get rid of the near-weekly mixed messaging about what you deem acceptable. Worth consideration.