This season has been tough for the Tigers, but an after-the-siren win over the rampaging Swans could be the catalyst for another mid-season fightback. Despite offering a spirited effort for three quarters against the Hawks, few gave the Tigers any chance of  knocking off a Sydney team that had  dropped only one game. The game went to plan early on, with the Swans kicking the first three goals, but a number of Richmond's big men stood tall  to deliver only their second win of 2016. Ben Griffiths played his best game for the club, with five goals and 116 Ultimate Footy points, and Jack Riewoldt was superb  with 19 disposals, nine marks and 99 points. Key defender Alex Rance's  tireless efforts marshalling the backline and repelling numerous attacks underlined his  importance to the Tigers. After their daring victory, the Tigers look ready to make amends for the horrors of the first two months of the season.

wRong

Poor Brisbane. Someone at the Gabba must have broken a mirror by throwing a black cat at it, with players getting injured, players leaving and players retiring at the start of the season. They were completely  dominated by the Magpies from start to finish, with a scoreless first quarter underlining their  lack of resistance. Dayne Zorko was the only Lion  to really stamp his presence on the opposition with a well-earned 19 disposals, seven tackles and four goals on his way to 122 points. Meanwhile, some of his other highly rated teammates struggled, with only one collecting more than 20 disposals (Sam Mayes, with 21 touches and 76 points). The likes of Mitch Robinson (78 points), Allen Christensen (66), Pearce Hanley (61), Daniel Rich (58), Ryan Bastinac (42)  were well below their usual output. To add injury to insult, joining skipper Tom Rockliff on the sidelines will be  gun Dayne Beams – potentially for the rest of the season.

Ridiculous

If you told anyone before round  one that after eight weeks, the Blues would be 4-4 and on a four-game winning streak after knocking off Port with their grittiest performance yet, they might have laughed at you.  However, yet another young disciple from the Clarkson coaching tree is creating his own legacy, with Brendon Bolton's thoughtful coaching reaping rewards at the Blues. His tactical acumen, coming from a Hawthorn system famed for its effective structures and team defence, always seemed to be solid. However, it is his learning-centric approach and steadfast commitment to a fully united club that has provided a much-needed dose of optimism for the proud Blues. One only needs to look at the resurgence of the trio of No. 1 draft picks to see the positive change – skipper Marc Murphy is becoming a far better leader,  Bryce Gibbs is turning back the clock with his best season ever (averaging 27 disposals and 110 points per game) and Matthew Kreuzer is thriving as their  lone main ruckman, willing his team across the line with a last-gasp goal and a tough 38-hit out, 112-point performance. Most impressively, however, the traditionally short-sighted Blues are preaching the long-game and reinforcing just how far away they are from sustainable competitiveness – despite the positive early returns.

Regrettable

The Saints have been desperately unlucky this season, receiving some questionable umpiring decisions and in the process losing to the Hawks by three points and to the Kangaroos by seven. Although they've shown plenty of encouraging signs for the St Kilda faithful in the process, it was inevitable that their run of inspired performances would come to an end – particularly to the fearsome Eagles, who are arguably the toughest team to play at their home fortress. West Coast slammed on nine goals in the first quarter and kept them at a distance for the rest of the game, easing to a 103-point win, courtesy of bags from Mark LeCras (six goals, 95 points) and Josh Kennedy (five goals, 96 points). The gap between the two sides was clear, and while they clearly have potential, St Kilda's younger tier must continue to improve – the likes of Jack Billings (76 points), Jack Newnes (72), Jimmy Webster (65), Jade Gresham (65), Luke Dunstan (45) and Blake Acres (35) all need to become more consistent if the Saints are going to feature in finals.

Article supplied by Footy Prophet – football analysis with a fantasy focus. Footy Prophet is fantasy football.