Comeback of the season: It's been a big "welcome back" to Lance Franklin, Dale Thomas, Liam Jones and Daniel Wells. Thomas had managed only 25 matches in his first two years with the Blues. His past three weeks have been strong – although he is not the player he once was. Teammate Liam Jones was not supposed to be seen in the seniors this season, despite having two years left on his contract. But he has emerged as an important cog inside 50 – and his repeat efforts and tackling have improved. Wells notched only two senior matches last year. He shapes as the difference-maker for the Roos. When Franklin (mental health) and Luke Parker (broken leg) were absent late last year, there was a significant Swan dive in Sydney. Their return again has the Swans in premiership chatter. Tom Liberatore, his 2015 campaign destroyed by a knee injury, has resumed his role as one of the best extractors and tacklers in the business. Jeremy Cameron was suspended for the opening four matches but has more than repaid teammates since, with 16 goals. Lance Franklin bagged five goals for the Swans against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night. Credit:Getty Images Cool dudes: Patrick Dangerfield appeared a little nervous on-field on Friday night but he has handled his defection from the Crows to Moggs Creek, err, the Cats, with aplomb. In an era when clubs and players can be media-managed to within an inch of their lives, Dangerfield and the Cats should be congratulated for holding press conferences at Melbourne Airport and upon touching down in Adelaide on Thursday, and again that night on The Footy Show. Essendon coach John Worsfold also deserves a special mention, for his steady hand internally and in public in a season when the Bombers' elite talent has been decimated because of anti-doping suspensions. Goalless to half-time against the Kangaroos, the Bombers' resolve and eagerness to buy into Worsfold's mantra was on show after the main break when they booted eight of the final 10 goals.

Patrick Dangerfield returned to Adelaide Oval as a Cat on Friday night. Credit:Getty Images On the rise: The Giants, many individually, and certainly collectively (they have scored more than 125 points in four of their past five matches). Darcy Moore shapes as a future Collingwood champion, Cats' midfielder Cam Guthrie has become elite and teammate Steven Motlop is now a consistent force. No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering, before hurting his shoulder, was arguably the Blues' best defender, while youngsters Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills and Tom Papley have emerged for the Swans. James Sicily and Tim O'Brien are refreshing the Hawks, while Darcy Parish (Essendon) and Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) have been influential in their rookie seasons. Keep a look out for another Bomber, Aaron Francis. Jack Viney shapes as Melbourne's captain in waiting. Docker Lachie Neale is a star – and in hot demand. And while Jarrad Waite is a veteran, the Kangaroos' sports science and fitness chiefs have helped him enjoy career-best form. Unforgettable: Darcy Parish says he will always remember Essendon's win against Melbourne. Credit:Getty Images Under the pump:

The focus on the troubles at Collingwood and Richmond has been forensic – and Nathan Buckley and Damien Hardwick have handled the heat well. But could Brisbane's Justin Leppitsch be the first domino to fall? The Lions are terrible. So, too, are the Suns, having dropped their past three matches by a combined 284 points. Football in Queensland must be a major worry for AFL brass – and for those aggrieved at the millions of dollars spent there. Verbal warfare: Eddie McGuire with anyone north of the Victorian border. Just don't mention "academies" or "compromised drafts". And the Bulldogs and Crows clearly have a dislike for each other. It began with the Talia brothers' 'playbook' investigation, and flared again last week after Luke Beveridge took aim at the Crows' criticism of the umpires in their round seven clash. Pity they don't play each other again in the home-and-away campaign. Feel-good story: Former US college basketballer Mason Cox has been a stunning success up forward – and is keeping Travis Cloke out of the side. Cox's height and smarts were again on show when he booted four goals against the Lions in a breakthrough win on Saturday night. Is he emerging as one of the best stories in Australian sporting history? Essendon's elevated rookie Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who has developed a cult following, has provided dash from half-back in a year the Dons' defence has been under siege. And a shout-out to banished Cat, Steve Johnson. He was ordinary in round one but his poise and class inside 50 has been just what the Giants needed – and even drew praise from former Cats teammate Paul Chapman who had been critical of him, at times, through the years when he deviated from the game plan.

A rival list manager says Collingwood is the best-placed of the one-time ''big four'' Melbourne clubs. Credit:AFL Media/Getty Images On the slide: One of the big stories for the rest of the season will be whether Travis Cloke can regain his spot. He has a year to run on what will be a heavily-reduced contract next season. Will he be traded? Gary Ablett has been the best player of the past 20 years but, at 32, have time — and injuries since his shoulder was hurt in a tackle by Brent Macaffer — caught up with him? Matthew Pavlich continues to work as hard as ever but it's questionable whether he should have gone on. Missing you: Nat Fyfe, Dane Swan, Jamie Elliott, Jarryd Roughead and Bob Murphy – look forward to seeing you again soon.