1. Dockers can ill afford to lose the younger Hill

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon on Saturday rubbished reports of Bradley Hill unsuccessfully requesting a trade last year back to Hawthorn. Lyon's comment that "as always" the speculation is wrong was a wild exaggeration. Rather, the talk is sometimes off the mark. But where there's smoke, there's also often fire. Hill's older brother, fellow Docker and unrestricted free agent Stephen is being linked to Gold Coast. Could Bradley join him in departing Cockburn, yet not necessarily at the Suns? October's NAB AFL Trade Period is still four months away, but we all know how far clubs work ahead. The younger Hill won three flags at the Hawks and has become an even better player at Freo. At 25, he is at the peak of his powers, provides endless run and is an expert ball user. Holding Hill to his contract, which runs through 2021, should be a top priority. - Marc McGowan

AROUND THE STATE LEAGUES Veteran Hawk back, young Cat sizzles

"HOW GOOD WAS THAT!?"



Andrew Brayshaw finishes off a fantastic passage of play for the Dockers!#AFLDeesFreo pic.twitter.com/nYZxVSDEfZ — AFL (@AFL) June 22, 2019

2. Watch out Eddie and Sonny, Charlie's coming for you

Charlie Cameron was Brisbane's fire-starter in the crushing victory over St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. The speedy small forward rattled on three of the Lions' opening four goals before producing a matchwinning burst early in the third term in which he snapped two more majors and helped his team kick another. He equalled his career-best effort of five goals in little more than a half, and from that moment it was game over. If Cameron had kicked straighter this season than his tally of 26.21, he'd be the most productive opportunist in the competition. There's plenty of time for the man they call 'Jets' to claim that mantle from the likes of his old mate Eddie Betts and Fremantle genius Michael Walters, given he will only turn 25 on July 5. His best years should still be very much ahead of him. - Ben Collins

WATCH Five-goal Charlie becomes Saints' nightmare

3. Sier would be a first-choice midfielder in other teams

Because of Collingwood's luxury of midfield stars, it took until round 12 for Sier to break back into the Magpies' senior side. It was a long wait, also in part due to niggling injuries that interrupted his continuity. But with Dayne Beams out of the side with a hip injury and potentially missing the rest of the season, Sier has returned to the Magpies' onball unit and showed his ability to win the ball and feed it out to his teammates. Sier collected 20 disposals and six clearances against the Western Bulldogs in Sunday's win, following a 23-disposal and nine-tackle effort against the Demons. Sier, who played in last year's Grand Final loss to West Coast in a breakout season, is out of contract and will have a number of suitors circling because of that dig-in ability. - Callum Twomey

THE RUN HOME Who will make finals?

4. West Coast has unearthed a future star in Jarrod Cameron

When Brisbane lobbed a bid on the Next Generation Academy product at last year's NAB AFL Draft, hoping to pair him with older brother Charlie, there was no hesitation from the Eagles to match – and on Thursday night Cameron showed why. With his first touch, the 19-year-old juggled a mark on a wing and then bit off an ambitious kick into the corridor just over the outstretched arms of an Essendon opponent before the ball lobbed safely into Dom Sheed's grasp. It might not have been as glamorous as joining the 'first kick, first goal' club but it spoke to the confidence and skill of the Swan Districts product, whose relentless pressure (seven tackles) and goal celebrations (two) energised his teammates. It could be difficult for coach Adam Simpson to keep the youngster in the side with Willie Rioli coming back from suspension, but the prospect of an attack also featuring speedsters Liam Ryan and Jack Petruccelle – not to mention Jamie Cripps – on the MCG expanses against Hawthorn is tantalising. - Travis King

5. Luke Parker has brilliantly led Sydney's season revival

The tough midfielder started his first year as co-captain in solid form, although he wasn't as influential as his team needed to be as the Swans won just one of their first seven games. But Parker's past six matches have showed all his quality. The dual club champion has averaged 29.7 possessions (compared to 23.4 over the first seven matches), 14.2 of those contested (11.3), 6.2 tackles (4.6), and 5.8 clearances (5.5) over that period, and it's little surprise that the Swans won four games and lost to only Collingwood and Geelong to keep their slim finals hopes alive. Making Parker's performances even more important was the fact that fellow skipper Josh Kennedy missed three of those matches with a knee injury. Hawthorn came hard at the Swans on Friday night and with Lance Franklin and Callum Sinclair injured, the Swans produced a huge final term to seal the win. Parker had eight disposals, five tackles and three clearances for the quarter. How does the old saying go? 'If he played for a big Melbourne club…' – Adam Curley

Luke Parker has been instrumental in keeping the Swans' season alive. Picture: AFL Photos





6. Unheralded Power pair among the most under-rated players in the competition

One shut down Geelong star Tom Hawkins, while the other has made a seamless transition to the midfield. Port Adelaide duo Tom Clurey and Dan Houston don't get the headlines, but played important roles in the Power's 11-point upset of Geelong. Clurey accepted the challenge of standing the imposing Hawkins, keeping him goal-less and restricting him to just five disposals. Houston has moved from half-back to the midfield in recent weeks. He had 19 of his 26 disposals in the first half, but it's his accurate kicking and great workrate that has made him effective. He also kept close tabs on Brownlow Medal fancy Tim Kelly, who only managed 17 disposals and little impact on the contest. Not bad for a player who slid all the way to the 45th pick of the 2015 rookie draft. - Lee Gaskin

FANTASY FORM WATCH Bye byes, hello normality