Oh, nine-game rounds, how we missed you. What an off-the-wall weekend of footy we had, with matchups featuring teams close to each other on the ladder yielding big statements on progress and finals mettle. The Dees reminded everyone of what they can be, while the Dogs didn't start hot but sure did end that way. West Coast showed that last round's promising signs weren't for naught, but Carlton showed that their promise can yield immediate results, even with a depleted defense. Geelong and Richmond played the game of the round, and Sydney followed through in their attempt to make the Saturday nightcap even better... no comment on the Saints. Sunday had one game without finals implications, one involving a team currently in the eight, and one with two teams fighting to stay alive in the race for September; unsurprisingly, the last of those delivered the best action throughout.
