What a cracker … Fremantle v Western Bulldogs
Fremantle has defied the footy world again by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. While the skills in Sunday’s thrilling epic at Subiaco weren’t always at either team’s sublime best, that might have had something to do with the frantic pace at which much of the contest was played.

Both sides went up and down the huge expanses of Subiaco Oval at a rate of knots – especially in the first half – and eventually finished with 17 goals apiece.

Fremantle again came up short and it was evident in the final minutes that this was a team that simply had forgotten how to win, or looked afraid to lose. Hats off to Rocket Eade and the Bulldogs however, who smelt the home side’s fear and pounced like all good sides do.

Player of the round … Travis Johnstone
Apologies to Adelaide’s Brett ‘The Birdman’ Burton who made strong claims, but 32 touches and three goals from the midfield gives the former Demon the nod.

The Brisbane Lions and Carlton both wheeled out star-studded midfields at Telstra Dome on Saturday night, yet Johnstone sparkled brightest. After coach Leigh Matthews urged his new recruit to produce more just a few weeks ago, Johnstone answered in emphatic fashion with a best afield performance.

What we learned … the new interchange rule will take time
It’s a good thing the AFL gave clubs a ‘practice run’ at the newly introduced interchange rules during round eight.

Several clubs took their time adjusting to the changes being imposed, and had the new strict rules been in place at the weekend there would have been free kicks, 50m penalties – and goals – galore. And even angrier coaches.

A few coaches let their feelings be known about the new rules in the aftermath of a sloppy first attempt in weekend matches. The Adelaide Crows practised the new changes at training last week and maybe a few more clubs will this week to make sure they get it all right in round nine.

Fans, however, should prepare themselves for some frustrating times as there might be the odd slip-up on the boundary line as their team comes to grips with the new protocols.

One for the vault … Harry O’Brien’s gem
HO HO HO! Not known for his efforts up forward, big Harry O kicked one of the goals of the season on Friday night when he out-pointed Saint Steven Milne point blank.

What either of those two men were doing in the Collingwood forward pocket is beyond, well, most of us, but the big Brazilian’s effort inspired everyone in the black and white.

The Big O’s second career goal had a touch of everything – a spoil, bodywork, desperation, power, pace and then precision with the finish. Sure, it might have flicked the goal umpire’s flag on the way through and therefore may not have actually been a goal, but the ump raised two flags and that’s all that matters.

Double the Mark Williams, double the fun
We already knew how good Choco was for a yarn, but now we know that when you combine the two Mark Williams, then … whammo!

The Power coach, while saying he “couldn’t care less” about the Hawk forward’s choking gesture, didn’t miss his namesake when asked about it after the match.

“He hadn’t touched the ball all day so I’m not sure exactly what he was getting at,” Choco said. Whack.

Williams’ actions (the Hawthorn one) near the end of his team’s cracking come-from-behind win in Tassie on Saturday is set to add further spice to any future meetings between the two teams in the near future. We can’t wait for the next match-up, especially should these two get to square off in September.

He's a keeper … Trent Cotchin
On wet days the supremely-skilled players stand up, they say. It’s easier to tell exactly whose skills are a cut above the rest.

Well, it might only have been his first game but one only had to have a look at the way Richmond debutant Cotchin kicks the ball to know he’ll play plenty of games for the Tigers. Last year’s No.2 draft pick booted two goals (and should have kicked three), gathered 16 touches and showed plenty of poise for someone who just a few hours earlier was warming up for Coburg to play in the VFL.

Coach of the Round … Alastair Clarkson
Clarko gets our nod this week for not only orchestrating the Hawks’ comeback over Port Adelaide – and having his team undefeated and sitting second on the table – but also showing just what a man of substance he is.

Clarkson, who last week signed a three-year deal, let Hawk Mark Williams know that his mocking celebration of Port Adelaide in the dying minutes of Saturday’s clash won’t be tolerated. Those who overstep what the coach expects won’t be around for as long as he is.

Chin up, Tadhg(er)
It seems the Sydney Swans can’t take a trick on the injury front. The week they regain one running defender (Nick Malceski) from a serious knee injury, they lose another.

Swans coach says his club might have to “re-build” Tadhg Kennelly’s body after his latest injury. The Irishman attempted the old Darren Cresswell ‘slap it back into place’ method after dislocating his left knee against the Bombers on Sunday, and looked in agony as he lay on the boundary afterwards.

Already possessing dodgy shoulders and a crook right knee, the man from the Emerald Isle is likely to look more like a mummy the next time he takes the field, such will be the amount of taping and strapping required to get him across the line.

Turn it up
Some footy fans might have thought their televisions were on the blink over the weekend when their sets suddenly switched to silence. However they probably soon realised there was no malfunction at their end, rather the broadcaster had opted to mute a likely-heated discussion between umpire and player following a decision.

While the channel in question has its heart in the right place, sparing footy fans of any potential crude language – only to cross back to commentators talking about a player’s displeasure – may encourage viewers to sit back on the couch and think up every expletive under the sun, trying to become expert lip-readers.

If broadcasters want to use the technology, be prepared to run the gauntlet with what might be heard through the mikes. Fans love hearing banter between players and umps!

There’s always next week for … the Bombers
Although Essendon coach Matthew Knights will be hoping that, like some believe is prone to happen, his team doesn’t start next week the way it finished the last.

Dreamtime at the ‘G can’t come quick enough for Knights and his young side after a disastrous second half at ANZ Stadium on Sunday. The Sydney Swans booted the last 13 goals of the match to belt the Bombers by 91 points, and the leaky Dons will go into Saturday night’s clash an underdog after being hammered a few times this season.