When the Sydney Swans finally won the services of Kurt Tippett late last year, many predicted he could be the player who helped carry them to back-to-back flags. Prior to Sunday's game against the Western Bulldogs, Tippett had made a steady start to his career at the Bloods, kicking 15 goals in his first six games. But Tippett was back to his best form against the Dogs, kicking 6.0 and plucking eight marks (two contested). In a high-pressure finals-like game, he was the difference between the two teams, giving the Swans the 'get-of-jail' option the Dogs lacked. - Nick Bowen

There was a gulf developing between Collingwood and the top four, but the Magpies rediscovered their manic defensive pressure on Sunday and revived black and white hopes. Essendon was overwhelmed by their opponents' tackling pressure in the first quarter, and it didn't abate in the second as the Pies' match-winning lead was built. The final tackle count was 81-53 in Collingwood's favour. Maintaining that pressure for four quarters has been Collingwood's issue in 2013, but perhaps the penny has dropped. If the Pies are going to contend for this year's premiership, that needs to be the new standard. - Nathan Schmook

The banner read, "Some say the Tigers can't go with the best. We'll prove them wrong as today we win this test". It didn't mention the 'f' word, but on that performance, it should have. Of course, the Tigers have to make it to the finals first, but the way they dismantled Hawthorn showed they are capable of shaking up September. They simply smashed the Hawks around the clearances. In fact, at one point they led that stat 13-0. Trent Cotchin led the midfield like a man possessed. In defence, Alex Rance and Troy Chaplin stopped Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead. Up forward, Jack Riewoldt was up and about. The Tiger army can just about taste it. The lid is inches away from being off. It's music to Chris Newman's ears. He's played 231 games without a final, but this year, the drought could well be over. Is it Tigertime? - Jacqui Reed

The Power's final-term performances this season suggest there's a secret coach Ken Hinkley is not sharing with the football world. They've won as many fourth quarters as Hawthorn but with a superior percentage and while it cost a lot to land high performance manager Darren Burgess, it's beginning to look like the best money the club has spent. Having returned from the dead against Adelaide at the start of the year before repeating the feat against West Coast and now against the Crows again, the Power are the AFL's finishing kings. - Harry Thring

Steven Motlop is fast becoming one of Geelong's most important players, and one of its best, too. Motlop has had a terrific season and continued that on Friday night against North Melbourne. In the Cats' loss, Motlop was close to best afield, kicking three goals, setting up a few more and giving his side every chance. The 22-year-old has huge talent and is showing it, and you get the sense Motlop could be one of the Cats' chief matchwinners come the finals. "He was outstanding. He's developing into a really good player," Cats coach Chris Scott said after the 10-point defeat to the Roos. "Not just a really good small forward or outside player, he's good inside the contest, he breaks the game open." - Callum Twomey

Josh Kennedy has a five-goal lead in the Coleman Medal race with four rounds to go and there would hardly be a more worthy winner. He has been a standout in a team that has underachieved and has been undersold as a result. His 59 goals, 20 behinds are impressive enough. But he has taken more marks than any other Eagle this year and is fifth in tackles at the club in 2013. Nothing epitomised Kennedy's work ethic than his chase of Luke Dahlhaus last Sunday and his five goals against the Suns showed his class again. - Alex Malcolm