A huge Round Five of the AFL had everything, from instant classics and tight thrillers to spectacular grabs, long bombs and blowouts. After five weeks, cutting through to evaluate each team is only getting harder.
We take a look at how each team fared in this week's edition of theEdge of the Crowd's Power Rankings.
(The club's previous week's position is in brackets.)
1. Melbourne (1)
The Melbourne Demons remain on top of the Power Rankings for another week, on the back of another huge win.
This time it was the Giants that were the unlucky opposition, as the Demons continued their fine form.
Kysaiah Pickett was the spark for the Demons in the third term with a brilliant running goal that came on the back of his hard running. It proved to be a spark for the Demons who piled on four goals in three minutes at that point.
When the third quarter was finished, the Demons had kicked ten goals to two in the term, and had blown away the Giants, to set up a 67-point win.
2. Brisbane (2)
The Brisbane Lions escaped a Thursday night thriller against the Collingwood Magpies, on the back of the class of its forward line. Despite having less inside 50s, the Lions kicked a winning score on the back of Joe Daniher’s four goals.
Lachie Neale was instrumental in his 200th game, with 33 disposals, including 14 in the second term, when the Lions flexed their muscles.
Hugh McCluggage and Callum Ah Chee we’re devastating for the Lions on the wing, playing the Lions into attacking positions throughout the night, including in the fourth term, when the Magpies mounted a comeback.
Darcy Gardiner escaped suspension for a big bump in a marking contest against Josh Daicos, and the Lions will carry their full strength side for another week.
3. Sydney (6)
The Swans leaped out to a strong start, keeping the Eagles scoreless for much of the first half, piling on eight goals before the home side was on the board.
The Swans showed no mercy, as 11 players chipped in a goal, including Logan McDonald. The young Western Australian had two goals in his first match in his home state, including an on-the-run bomb from outside 50.
Isaac Heeney continued his ascent into the elite of the game, with three goals, 16 disposals and a spectacular leap inside 50 to take one of the marks of the week.
The Swans were not as dominant in the second half, but continued to run hard and tackle ruthlessly. The statement win is a reminder that the young Swans can run with the best in the competition on their day.
4. St Kilda (4)
The Saints have now won four games in a row, and rose to the challenge to beat the Suns. Jack Higgins had five goals and Max King kicked three as the Saints ran away late in the game.
Jade Gresham, in his 100th game, had two goals and 25 disposals to celebrate the milestone.
Brendon Lade stepped in to coach in place of Brett Ratten, who was out due to the health and safety protocols.
Whatever Lade set to the Saints at half time was taken on, as the side leapt out of the blocks in the second half to kick the first three goals of the half, and take a match-winning lead.
5. Geelong (3)
The Cats just weren't quite able to fire on all cylinders in another Easter classic against the Hawks. Despite having won nine of the past 11 Easter Monday matchups, the Cats were slow starters, falling down 23 points early.
A second quarter comeback and a small lead in the third quarter, the Cats were never in control of the match, and once Mark Henry went down with an injury, they were unable to stop the Hawks' attack. Henry's absence was felt in the dying stages as Luke Bruest and Mitch Lewis ran riot, with Lewis kicking the sealer with just over a minute to go.
Tyson Stengle was good for the Cats, as he, Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron each kicked three goals, but it was not enough to outgun the Hawks.
6. Carlton (5)
Carlton held off a huge comeback from Port Adelaide to record its fourth win for the season.
The Blues jumped out of the blocks, with Sam Walsh having 16 touches in the first quarter (finishing with 38 for the match).
The biggest lead for the Blues was 50 points, but the Power fought back in the second half to close the gap.
Charlie Curnow (five goals) and Harry McKay (three goals) gave glimpses of what was imagined when they were both drafted, while Adam Cerra and George Hewett stepped into the void left by Patrick Cripps to win midfield ball.
The win gives the Blues their fourth for the season, in what has been a strong start to Michael Voss' second stint as a senior coach.
7. Western Bulldogs (7)
The Bulldogs cantered to a huge win on Good Friday in the traditional afternoon fixture.
Bailey Smith was the star of the show for the Bulldogs, with 43 disposals, seven marks, and 646 metres gained.
Deep in the forward line, the Kangaroos had no answer for Aaron Naughton or Cody Weightman, who combined for ten goals, and it could have been more.
Marcus Bontempelli (three goals) and Jackson Macrae also got in on the action for the Dogs, as they ran out a strong second half.
The 68-point win was reminiscent of last year’s 128-point margin in the corresponding fixture, as the Bulldogs again ran out convincing winners.
8. Fremantle (9)
Matt Taberner had a career-best seven goals as the Dockers broke the shackles in the second half to kick ten goals to three.
Andrew Brayshaw (34 disposals and a goal) and Will Brodie (26 disposals) were key ball-winners for the Dockers in the middle of the contest.
The Dockers had a three point lead at half time, before Taberner kicked two in a row, and Sean Darcy added another goal to coast to victory.
Michael Walters continue to struggle, showing that the Dockers still have more improvement, as they settle into the season.
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9. Richmond (8)
The Tigers were slow starters, but mounted a sterling effort in the third term to take the lead against the Crows. Trent Cotchin was outstanding, with 24 disposals, while Dion Prestia had 27 disposals of his own.
The forward line found its gear, with Jack Riewoldt, Tom Lynch, Jason Castagna and Liam Baker each scoring two goals.
The Tigers had a brief flurry in the third term, with four goals in seven minutes, but they weren't able to maintain the rage, as the Crows fought back.
In the end, they had no answer to Taylor Walker, as the key forward outmuscled the Tigers' defence in his second match back from suspension. Walker's five goals proved the difference, as the Tigers' couldn't slow him down.
10. Hawthorn (11)
The Hawks were able to produce the goods against their long-time nemesis, the Cats. The Hawks jumped out to an early lead, but the Cats fought back in the second.
As a young side, the Hawks will take lots away from the composure the midfield showed to see off the challenge that came from the Cats in the final three quarters.
Dylan Moore (four goals) and Mitch Lewis (three goals) showed the future for the Hawks, as they worked well with stalwarts Jack Gunston and Luke Bruest. Gunston had three goals in his 200th match for the club.
James Sicily continued his return to his best after missing much of last year with injury, as a pillar of strength and intercepting menace for the Hawks in defence.
11. Collingwood (12)
The Magpies will hold their head high, after fighting hard against the Lions. Jack Crisp had 36 disposals through the middle of the ground, while Scott Pendlebury turned tagger to try and slow down Lachie Neale.
Josh Daicos was a big influence on the Magpies with 10 disposals and a goal in the first quarter, as the visitors started fast.
In the end, the Magpies’ fourth quarter comeback, led by Jordan de Goey, just fell short, as the Magpies were left to rue their earlier lapses in the second quarter.
De Goey finished with four goals, including three in the frantic final quarter, but it wasn’t enough to get over the line.
12. GWS Giants (10)
While the Giants didn’t start strongly, held goalless in the first term, they fought hard. Harry Himmelberg kicked the opener in the second term, and the Giants won the quarter.
The Giants went into the half time break down just 14 points, after physically challenging the Demons in the first half. For the visitors, the lack of polish was telling early.
Brayden Preuss was missed, as young ruck Matthew Flynn was outclassed by the Demons’ combination of Max Gawn and Luke Jackson.
The Giants will take some comfort knowing that talismanic leader Toby Greene will be back next week.
13. Gold Coast (13)
The Suns fought hard, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Saints. It was an even first quarter, and the Suns jumped out to a good start in the second term.
The Suns briefly held the lead, but the Saints kicked the last couple of goals of the first half and then Suns couldn’t get the match back on even tents in the second half.
Touk Miller was as consistent as ever for the Suns, with 32 disposals and 16 contested possessions, leading the way for the match.
Injuries to Mabior Chol and David Swallow will concern the Suns, who will look to bounce back against the Lions in the QClash this weekend.
14. Adelaide (17)
The Crows had enough to beat the Tigers when they fought, with a combined nine goals from Taylor Walker and Elliot Himmelberg proving the difference.
Richmond mounted a strong effort in the third term, taking the lead, but the Crows found another gear to finish out the match.
Josh Rachele starred late with two goals, while Ben Keays (31 touches) and Matt Crouch (26 touches) were consistent throughout the afternoon.
The win was dampened by Rory Sloane suffering a season-ending knee injury. The Crows played a strong final 15 minutes without Sloane, but replacing him will be a big challenge for the rest of the season.
15. Essendon (14)
The Bombers have continued their slow start to the season, and have conceded 97 points or more for the fifth time in five matches this season.
The Bombers fought hard in the first quarter, with a goal to Nic Martin keeping them in the contest, and could have been in front at half time if Nik Cox had been able to kick straight.
The debut of Ben Hobbs was one of the few shining lights for the Bombers, as the 13th pick in last year's draft had 15 disposals and nine tackles. Most importantly, Hobbs looked comfortable with the speed and physicality of the game from the outset.
The Bombers will try and regroup ahead of their traditional fixture against Collingwood next week on ANZAC Day.
16. North Melbourne (16)
The Kangaroos’ afternoon started poorly. Jy Simpkin won the first clearance of the match, and hit Iack Ziebell on the chest at the top of his lead.
The kick bounced of Ziebell’s chest, and the Bulldogs scooped up the loose ball. It ended up in a Cody Weightman goal, and from there it seemed like the tone was set for the afternoon.
The Kangaroos were unable to find any real fluency, outside a patch after quarter time where they kicked five goals in 16 minutes.
Unfortunately for the Kangaroos, they were unable to replicate that fire in the second half, and when the Bulldogs stepped up a head, they were unable to follow.
17. West Coast (14)
The sooner the Eagles can forget this game, the better for them and their fans. The Eagles were listless in the first half, unable to get on the board for 47 minutes of play.
The Eagles were welcoming back a swag of stars after an injury and COVID-hit early part of the season. Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo and Tim Kelly were among the big inclusions.
Jeremy McGovern and Nic Naitanui missed the match due to health and safety protocols, and neither felt replaced by the Eagles.
An improved showing in the second half, with three goals to Liam Ryan was not enough to cover for the listless first half, as the Eagles went down by 68 points.
18. Port Adelaide (18)
Port Adelaide remain anchored to the bottom of the Power Rankings, and the ladder, as they endure their worst start to a season in club history.
Karl Amon was unable to convert a last minute set-shot from outside 50, as the Power's comeback fell agonizingly short.
The Power were down by 50 points during the match, but managed six goals in the third quarter, including two from Ryan Burton in his 100th game.
Zak Butters (32 disposals) and Conor Rozee (24 disposals) were among the leaders of the comeback for the Power, as the young guns tried to rally.