THERE are big moments in matches and big moments in seasons, and David Mundy's ice-cold game-winner for Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday could well have been both.

Just as the result turned on that kick, so might the seasons of two clubs that could not have been further apart in the early running.

The Tigers joined Adelaide and Geelong as fast starters who have now run into serious trouble after eight rounds, and all three would be concerned to varying degrees.

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It was not long ago that the Cats, Crows and Tigers were all undefeated at 4-0, occupying the top three spots on the ladder.

'Dangerwood' was a force to be reckoned with at the Cattery, Adelaide's potency was compared to the mighty Essendon of 2000, and Richmond's new attacking game style was undoing the sins of 2016.

But the past month has been a disaster for the Tigers and Cats, with Adelaide hitting less turbulent – but still rough – waters in the past fortnight.

First to Geelong. From 4-0, the Cats have gone on to beat St Kilda before losing consecutive matches to Collingwood, Gold Coast and finally Essendon on Saturday night.

Their losing margins have progressively reduced over the past three weeks but their form has arguably worsened, with teams slicing them up through the midfield and getting easy rebound goals.

On Saturday night Orazio Fantasia, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Josh Green combined for eight goals, highlighting the inability of the Cats' midfield to stop quick entries, and their backline's inability to cope with quick players.

The smother, the left-foot finish, the fist pump: take a bow Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti #AFLDonsCats pic.twitter.com/NZ8VAe04TB — AFL (@AFL) May 13, 2017

So given the contrast in their first and second months, how will the third look for the Cats? They take on the Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Adelaide, all at Simonds Stadium before a round 12 bye. Then it's on the road to West Coast. It's as tough a month as any team faces.

For the Tigers, 4-0 became 5-0, but that has become 5-3 after consecutive losses to Adelaide, the Western Bulldogs and finally Fremantle in a match they nearly stole in a thrilling fourth quarter.

It has been a three-week period that has reminded the Tigers of their shortcomings and, despite the slim margin, Sunday's loss was the worst of three.

The third quarter, in particular, was the Tigers of old. A five-point deficit became 30, with Fremantle steamrolling the Tigers through clearances (9-4), contested ball (33-24) and tackles (13-8).

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Richmond could not match the Dockers' pressure and their body language was poor. In the past four weeks the Tigers have won four of 16 quarters – one in each match. That should alarm Damien Hardwick.

The next month? GWS (Spotless Stadium), Essendon (MCG) and North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium) before a round 12 bye. Then Sydney at the MCG.

If drastic changes are needed to get the season back on track at Punt Road Oval and the Cattery, Adelaide just needs to take a deep breath.

From 4-0 they have beaten Gold Coast and Richmond before losing consecutive matches to North Melbourne and Melbourne in the past fortnight.

The main concern held about the Crows during the pre-season was their midfield, and when the Demons tagged Rory Sloane out of the game on Saturday night there was no response.

If Adelaide is going to overcome its perceived lack of midfield depth, it can't afford to let its best player to wear a tag without support and finish with 11 possessions.

Clashes against the Brisbane Lions (Gabba), Fremantle (Adelaide Oval), Geelong (Simonds Stadium) and St Kilda (Adelaide Oval) await, with all certain to have taken note of Bernie Vince's job.

Petracca's muscle and desire sets up Viney for an easy goal. #AFLCrowsDees pic.twitter.com/YscSExzCzW — AFL (@AFL) May 13, 2017

Reborn Dockers keep finding a way

Fremantle has found itself behind in the final quarter of every one of its five wins this season and when that point came on Sunday after Brandon Ellis's snapped goal in the final minute of the game, the Dockers got to work.

This is a team that is finding a way to win and their structure for the final centre bounce worked a treat, with Lachie Neale given a run at the ball and Aaron Sandilands muscling out a path for the midfielder.

While the early favourites have stumbled, Fremantle has resurrected itself from 0-2 to sit just one win (albeit with significant percentage) off top spot.

The Dockers are one of six teams lumped on five wins and their season has been the most remarkable of the lot.

Their misguided selections in the opening two rounds were rightly criticised, and there have been ups and down for trade acquisitions Bradley Hill, Joel Hamling and Shane Kersten.

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But their selection strategy was corrected long ago, and Hill, Hamling and Kersten all made critical contributions on Sunday. Who knows where this season goes for Freo after Mundy's heroics?

Melbourne and St Kilda take different paths to impress

They've been paired together this season as the AFL's rising teams, but there's been reason to doubt both at different stages in the first eight rounds – St Kilda early, and Melbourne more recently.

This was a weekend when both showed they are on the right path, and they made their points in different ways.

First the Saints. Alan Richardson's men were favourites against a young Carlton team, they were in form, and they got off to a rampaging start that had all the hallmarks of a 100-point plus win.

What came next, however, highlighted the growing maturity of this St Kilda team.

Carlton took away what had been the Saints' biggest weapons - their run off half-back and quick ball movement - forcing their opponents to find another way. They did, winning their third straight game and their fifth in six starts.

It wasn't their best win for the season, but after starting 0-2, St Kilda now has the look of a likely finalist, six years after its most recent appearance in 2011 under Ross Lyon.

It would be premature to say the same about Simon Goodwin's 4-4 Demons, but Saturday night's win against Adelaide was a statement about their sheer talent more than anything.

Melbourne edged the Saints back in round one in the battle of the 'rising teams', but their season has been a minefield since.

They lost Jesse Hogan and Jordan Lewis to suspensions, lost both their established ruckmen within three weeks, lost subsequent games against Geelong and Fremantle that they should have won, and haven't been able to back up positive performances.

So why are they on the right track? Well, they've just dismantled a team that was seen by some as unbeatable two weeks ago, and some key stats place them right among the AFL's premiership fancies.

They have won the fourth-most quarters of any team this season and they rank No.2 for disposals, No.2 for average possessions and No.5 for average tackles.

Goodwin has faith that his team will make the most of winning positions as it matures, and that's what they did on Saturday night against the most dangerous team in the League.

Eddie's Pocket or Clayton's Corner? A terrific goal from Oliver #AFLCrowsDees pic.twitter.com/nSSMvDQvBj — AFL (@AFL) May 13, 2017

Other observations

1. Brendon Bolton's Blues are made of the right stuff. After the Saints did a job of them in the first quarter, the Blues adjusted as quickly as you'd expect a top-four team to. They started possessing the ball, protecting the corridor and taking any semblance of spark out of the game. It made for an ugly period in the match, but that's not their concern. The speed at which they were able to shift the momentum was a big tick to not only Bolton but also the on-field leaders. Bolton has strong claims as coach of the year so far.

2. If Steve Johnson is finished, someone forgot to tell him on Saturday night. His ability to hit the pack at full speed, crumb cleanly and kick the match-winner against Collingwood was a reminder of his rare talent. He might battle at times this year, and maybe retirement does loom in four-and-a-half months' time. But those moments can win finals, and that's what he's there for.

Steve Johnson: he knows how to win them #AFLGiantsPies pic.twitter.com/EZxjfopwag — AFL (@AFL) May 13, 2017

3. The Eagles have taken a beating from their critics so far this season but quietly moved into equal top spot place on the ladder over the weekend. Yes, their radar was off against the Bulldogs on Friday night, kicking 1.9 in the second half, but their ball movement was at times brilliant. That's the hard part, now to straighten up and get cemented in the top two. They might have found an answer in the ruck too, with Fraser McInnes offering strong support to Nathan Vardy.

4. There was a major adjustment to how the umpires adjudicated the 'insufficient intent' rule, starting on Friday night and continuing through the entire round with the very occasional exception. One comparison. In the second quarter of GWS' win against Collingwood, Jeremy Howe blatantly worked the ball towards boundary in defence when being pursued by Rory Lobb, kicking it 20m off the ground directly towards the line. Compare that to Richmond star Dustin Martin, who booted the ball 60m off the ground from a centre bounce and was penalised in round seven. The rule was flipped on its head in round eight.

5. The Crows and Cats showed some serious class on Saturday night in separate games, taking the time to reflect on past deeds in a hectic round of football. Geelong captain Joel Selwood chairing off James Kelly with Bombers skipper Dyson Heppell was a wonderful moment, as was the guard of honour Adelaide provided to former Crow Bernie Vince.

Joel Selwood and Dyson Heppell chair James Kelly off after his 300th. Picture: AFL Photos



