Things we learnt: They may have lost, but the Tigers showed plenty

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is that guy.

If there is anything to take from Round 20, it’s that Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is worth absolutely every cent that St Kilda have to offer.

His rapid ascension to the top of the AFL has been as stellar as any in recent history, and now – kicking TWO goals in the dying seconds to come from 46 points down at 3QT to win, the biggest come-from-behind final term victory in history – Nasiah’s status in the competition has been stamped and sealed.

Building his career in the back flank, applying his trade in the midfield with absolute ease and now taking hangers from full forward to nail one of the all-time great final terms, there is not much that the man cannot do on a football field.

34 disposals, nine score involvements, six clearances, five marks, four tackles and four goals including two in the final minute… forget TDK, Nasiah is your man!

The Saints deserve so much credit, booting nine goals to none in the final term to return from the dead in a contest that meant absolutely nothing in the context of the season.

Jaiden Sciberras

They may have lost, but the Tiges showed plenty

Richmond fans should be very proud of their young cubs, putting up an almighty fight against the Magpies.

Despite going down by 36 points, the Tigers turned the contest against the competition’s best into a scrap, playing with the most heart you’ll ever see from a 16th placed outfit.

Maintaining an elite level of pressure throughout, the Tigers showed signs of a quality side despite a number of key absences.

It’s clear to see that the heroics of Maurice Rioli Jnr. in weeks past has rubbed off on the rest of the squad, with players mounting major chases, putting in third and fourth efforts and continuing to hunt even as the result appeared out of reach.

Adem Yze has done a brilliant job with the young guns at his disposal, and while the game slowly transitioned back into the grasp of the Magpies, the signs of a top culture and intent were there in spades.

The wins will come with time, and if this contest was anything to go by, the future is well and truly in good hands under Adem Yze.

Jaiden Sciberras

The Suns have built a fortress

Up North, the Suns are as scary as any.

Off the back of a terribly poor performance against the Crows in Round 19, Gold Coast responded emphatically, powering past the enemy to walk away 66-point winners over the reigning premiers.

If one thing is for certain, nobody will want to face the Suns at People First Stadium come September.

This season, Gold Coast have knocked off all of Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane on home soil, while also taking down Hawthorn and the Bulldogs in the top end.

If they can mount some momentum away from home, the Suns are every chance at a major finals scalp, and if they land a home final, it’s hard to bet against them regardless of their opposition.

And with a game in hand and solid percentage, a home final could be a reality.

Jaiden Sciberras

Jeremy Cameron can reach 100 goals

A favourable run, elite form and his teammates on board…

Jezza needs 31 goals from his last four games, which for any footballer, seems nearly impossible.

However, Jeremy Cameron is hardly your average footballer. 31 in his last six games, including 11 goals against the Kangaroos, Jezza is absolutely every chance of being the first man to reach the milestone in the home and away season since Lance Franklin in 2008.

If the superstar can maintain his accuracy, he could be in for a bag against all of Port Adelaide, Essendon and Richmond, and if Tom McCartin hasn’t returned for Geelong’s clash with Sydney, the star man could be on for four genuine stat-padders in the final four weeks.

Requiring an average of eight goals a game, it won’t be an easy feat, however you best believe his Geelong teammates will be feeding Jez at every possible moment.

Start the countdown.

Jaiden Sciberras

Darcy foil helps the Astro-naught reach a new stratosphere

When Sam Darcy came back into the Western Bulldogs starting lineup in Round 14, few would have been more excited than Aaron Naughton.

When the 22-year-old son of a gun fractured his left knee in the Round 6 clash against St Kilda, it would see Naughton once again become the main tall target in the forward line and thus attract the opposition’s best defender.

During this period of six games, he only mustered eight goals, and in two of these games, he went goalless.

But with Darcy back in the side and helping take some of the focus off Naughton, this has helped him get into career-best form.

Within that seven-game stretch, Naughton has kicked 26 goals.

This would include his career-best tally of seven goals against Essendon on Friday night. That was also the third time he has kicked five goals or more this season, which is also a career best.

With Naughton's contribution alongside Darcy's return, the Bulldogs have scored more than 97 points in every game but one since Round 14.

And that was against Brisbane in Round 19, when the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area before the game.

While they have only beaten one top eight side all season, they shouldn’t be too far away from another if they can maintain this level of scoring in the games to come.

And next week, against the Giants at Marvel Stadium, serves as a great opportunity to do just that.

Nicholas Quinlan

Can the Giants ride the Orange Tsunami to finals success?

GWS’s performance against their arch rivals, the Sydney Swans, on Friday night was the textbook definition of a tale of two halves.

Despite the Giants coming into the match as favourites, the Swans had the bragging rights over their little brothers.

In the last five games between the two New South Wales clubs, Sydney had won all five games, which included the Swans' comeback win in last year's thrilling Qualifying Final.

And it looked like the Swans would make it six in a row when they led by as much as 35 points in the back end of the second quarter.

But in the third, it was a completely different story.

It started in the opening minute with Finn Callaghan, who managed to burst from half back from a free kick advantage and kicked a running goal from 60 metres out to get the ball rolling for the Giants.

The Orange Tsunami was back, and it helped reinvigorate GWS for the remainder of the game.

From there, the Giants were able to break the shackles, managing to kick a further eight goals to Sydney’s one as they convincingly took the lead.

And in the fourth, they kept the pressure on to complete a 79-point turnaround in a resounding 44-point victory.

If you’re a Giants fan, there would be slight concerns about the slow starts they have shown against the Suns, Lions, Tigers, and now Swans, where they have needed second-half comebacks to win the match.

But if they can find a way to play like they did in the second half on a more consistent basis, then the competition will be quaking in their boots.

Nicholas Quinlan

The Hawks are playing all the hits

The Hawthorn band is back together.

Mitch Lewis back kicking goals. Will Day back doing special things. James Sicily and Dylan Moore back in top form. Calsher Dear back performing at the highest level.

There has been some doubt about Hawthorn’s credentials in recent times but if they can remain somewhat injury-free for the next two months then anything can happen.

The way they cast Carlton aside on Thursday night with consummate ease was impressive.

The Hawks still need more out of Jai Newcombe and James Worpel, and if they can get Josh Weddle back, then look out.

However, it’s a massive month ahead with huge tests against Adelaide (away), Collingwood (MCG) and Brisbane (Gabba) in the next four weeks.

They’ll likely need to win at least two of those just to make the eight.

Andrew Slevison