PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Charlie Curnow. The Carlton forward kicked a career-best nine goals in his side's 108-point demolition of West Coast, setting an individual goalkicking record at Perth's Optus Stadium. Gets the nod just ahead of Geelong's Tom Hawkins who also bagged a career-best haul - eight goals, including four of the game's first six, against Essendon.
THE MOMENT: Brisbane's Will Ashcroft, hemmed in a pocket, produces a stunning goal of the year contender. The rookie Lion taps the ball overhead with his right hand and then, in one motion just inside the boundary line, grabs it, plonks it on the outside of his right boot, and the ball sails through. Honorary mention to GWS captain Toby Greene for his match-winning goal against Sydney and to Steele Sidebottom for the behind that gave Collingwood yet another tight win, this time over Adelaide.
TALKING POINT: The entry of a Tasmanian team to the AFL is now a formality after the federal government pledged $240 million towards a new $715m multi-purpose stadium at Macquarie Point. Club presidents and the AFL commission are expected to soon rubber-stamp the Tassie club and then the haggling begins over issues including when they will enter and what start-up draft concessions they receive.
STATS THAT MATTER: 257. The number of games Sydney champion Lance Franklin has kicked multiple goals, eclipsing the previous VFL/AFL benchmark of Collingwood legend Gordon Coventry's 256.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Fremantle midfielder Matthew Johnson has a two-game ban for his dangerous tackle on Brisbane's Dayne Zorko. As if West Coast aren't in enough strife, Sam Petrevski-Seton also has a one-game suspension for the tackle he laid on Carlton newcomer Alex Cincotta.
INJURIES: X Duursma (PA, knee), D Zorko (Bris, hamstring), D Rich (Bris, calf), S Petrevski-Seton (WC, corked thigh), R Bazzo (WC, concussion), C Comben (NM, leg), C Coleman-Jones (NM, concussion), T Powell (NM, ankle), J Bowes (Geel, calf), N Kreuger (Coll, knee)
WHAT'S NEXT: Carlton host Brisbane in a Friday night opener to a round featuring a juicy preliminary final re-match between Collingwood and Sydney on Sunday. On Saturday, Geelong host Adelaide, struggling West Coast travel to play Richmond, Gold Coast host Melbourne, GWS meet the Western Bulldogs in another grudge match for the Giants and Fremantle host Hawthorn. Sunday's games are the Pies-Swans, Port Adelaide versus Essendon, and North Melbourne against St Kilda.
