9 issues we realized: This debutant is the excellent news story the Blues wanted

IN THIS week’s Things We Learned, we uncover the Dees are substance in addition to fashion, Geelong is about for the highest 4 once more plus a lot, way more.

Check out what we realized from spherical 10 of the 2026 season.

1) The new-look Dees are able to profitable huge finals

Melbourne is sitting in fifth spot on the ladder with seven wins, together with victories over Gold Coast, Brisbane and now Hawthorn after Saturday’s spectacular efficiency on the MCG. Steven King has his facet enjoying a model of soccer that may win huge video games towards high quality opposition – the kind of soccer that may win finals. Max Gawn and Kozzy Pickett apart, the workforce sheet is devoid of stars; no Petracca, Oliver, May, not even Jack Viney thus far of the season. But King has his group enjoying their roles and leaving nothing within the tank, highlighted by the actual fact the Demons have led the deal with depend in all however certainly one of their video games this 12 months. This group is writing its personal story, and it is one that would – towards all odds – lead them deep into September. – Howard Kimber

2) Jack Ison is the excellent news story Carlton wanted

There’s been little or no to heat the hearts of Blues followers this season, and many of the previous 12 months. But following a horror fortnight by which Carlton was fined for its dealing with of the Elijah Hollands scenario, AFL senior coach Michael Voss departed and it additionally misplaced its AFL checklist supervisor and AFLW head of footy, debutant Jack Ison proved to be simply the tonic followers and the membership wanted. A younger Indigenous man, making historical past as the primary participant to don the navy blue after coming by way of the membership’s Next Generation Academy and operating out in Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Ison had all of Marvel Stadium driving each wave of his evening, from the pre-match dance to his match-sealing first purpose towards the Western Bulldogs. Sometimes, a debut implies that little bit extra, and for Ison and the Blues followers, it was precisely that. – Gemma Bastiani

3) Geelong has a transparent path to the highest 4 – once more

Predicting home-and-away finishes 10 rounds right into a season is fraught with hazard. But after caring for the premiers on the Gabba on Thursday evening, Geelong’s highway to the highest 4 seems a transparent one, offering they get an affordable run with well being, after all. The Cats have one of many final 2026 exams on Saturday once they host the ladder-leading Swans and face seven groups within the prime 10 over the ultimate 13 rounds. But they’ve six matches at their GMHBA fortress (together with the Swans, Suns and Lions) and can depart Victoria on simply three extra events. With Tom Stewart and Jeremy Cameron again to their greatest and Chris Scott already managing workloads, look ahead to a trademark robust end and a spot within the 4 they’ve seemingly had a mortgage on for 20 years. – Michael Whiting

4) The Eagles’ taggers are coming 

Waalitj Marawar went to work on Greater Western Sydney’s key playmakers forward of Sunday evening’s beautiful win and carried out a pair of lockdown jobs that proved important. Brady Hough is constructing type as a lockdown midfielder and saved star Finn Callaghan to his lowest disposal tally (19) for the reason that Giants’ 2024 semi-final. Milan Murdock, in the meantime, locked in on Lachie Whitfield and saved the essential half-back to his lowest output for the reason that identical recreation (21), excluding an injury-impacted efficiency towards Gold Coast final season. The success of the 2 match-ups, and their position in an upset 17-point win, was an enormous tick for coach Andrew McQualter, who orchestrated the very best stress efficiency from his workforce this season. Collingwood can begin making ready now for the Daicos brothers, and even Dan Houston, to cope with the Eagles’ defensive duo in subsequent Saturday’s conflict on the MCG. – Nathan Schmook  

5) This Pie should stand as much as save Collingwood’s season

Last 12 months’s Copeland Trophy winner Darcy Cameron has not fairly recaptured his greatest type up to now in 2026, simply because the Magpies’ ruck depth hits a brand new low following Oscar Steene’s season-ending ACL damage towards Sydney. While the Magpies might goal reinforcements within the upcoming mid-season draft, they desperately want Cameron proper now. With the veteran sidelined on Friday evening and Steene happening, the Pies have been pressured to depend on a makeshift mixture of Jack Buller, Billy Frampton and Dan McStay to curb Brodie Grundy’s affect. The ensuing publicity presents a large structural headache because the membership fights to stay a finals contender. – Emily Patterson

6) Don’t neglect Sam Collins when discussing the sport’s greatest key defenders

It’s no secret Gold Coast enforcer Sam Collins is a top quality key defender, but it surely could be time we begin assessing him proper on the pointy finish. There’s loads of worthy contenders (Harris Andrews, Callum Wilkie, Sam Taylor, Tom Barrass and plenty of others), however Collins reminded us once more on Friday evening simply how good he’s. Although situations in Darwin weren’t conducive to excessive marking, Mitch Georgiades is likely one of the greatest full-forwards within the AFL, and Collins received most of their one-on-one contests. The 31-year-old can simply as successfully negate as he can win the ball again for his workforce, and he’s presently ranked inside the highest 5 for intercept possessions. If Collins continues this manner, he needs to be strongly thought of for a maiden All-Australian choice. – Michael Whiting

7) This younger Saint continues to impress

The conflict between Euro-Yroke and Richmond will not be making any end-of-year spotlight reels, however Saints speedster Hugo Garcia was a transparent spotlight. While the 20-year-old has had loads of centre-bounce alternatives this 12 months, the absence of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (calf) noticed him tackle a good better accountability because the game-breaker by way of the center. His explosiveness, pace, agility and smarts all added as much as an excellent efficiency that had Tiger opponents greedy skinny air in his wake. Garcia completed with 25 disposals, 10 clearances and two objectives, and was one of many Saints’ greatest of their snug victory. – Sarah Black

8) The low-cost Dockers are driving Freo’s flag push

Plenty has been made from Fremantle’s excellent checklist construct, with excessive draft picks like Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Hayden Young combining with headline-grabbing trades for the likes of Luke Jackson, Shai Bolton and Jordan Clark. But a deal with the celebs fully undersells the bargains the Dockers have introduced by way of the door in the identical interval. Of the 23 that thrashed the Bombers on Sunday, six gamers – Patrick Voss, Josh Treacy, Isiah Dudley, Mason Cox, Karl Worner and Chris Scerri – joined the membership as rookies, whereas Oscar McDonald was a delisted free agent. Throw in bargains like Michael Frederick, Sam Switkowski and Luke Ryan, who have been all drafted after decide 60 within the nationwide draft, and it exhibits this flag contender is about way more than simply nailing prime draft picks and high-cost trades. – Martin Smith

9) The Crows have one other ace up their sleeves

Minor premiers final 12 months, the Crows’ ahead line set-up was questioned usually all through the season they usually fell to a straight-sets finals exit. But they’d a unique look towards North Melbourne on Saturday, and it paid off. With Riley Thilthorpe (again soreness) and Taylor Walker (hamstring) sidelined, the Crows additionally swung a late change with Nick Murray making method for Luke Nankervis. The smaller ahead line labored splendidly effectively for Kuwarna, significantly throughout a 10-goal second quarter. With Darcy Fogarty and Toby Murray impacting as talls, they have been two of eight Crows who kicked a number of objectives, whereas Kuwarna’s stress was additionally monumental. With it, Kuwarna confirmed it has one other card to play ought to it want it on the enterprise finish of the season. – Dejan Kalinic