Three of last year's top eight finalists (North Melbourne, grand finalists Sydney and powerhouse Hawthorn) have yet to win a game, with the wheels falling off the latter. The dynasty is well and truly dead at Hawthorn.

West Coast got the job done against the Swans after losing five of their past six home games to them there, while Fremantle can not only see light at the end of the tunnel, but a potential finals spot after another competitive performance at the MCG, beating a more-fancied finals rival in Melbourne.

The three unbeaten teams going into round four notched wins, with Adelaide, Geelong and Richmond likely to be 5-0 with easy match-ups ahead in round five.

Our crack(pot) panel returns to run the rule over round four of the AFL season.

The panel: David Prestipino (wine-ing footy tragic); Tim Carrier (office fantasy football addict); Justin Rake (long-suffering Fremantle fan), Michael Stamp (6PR reporter and office oddsmaker).

Presto:
1. Fremantle fans can forget Owen and get excited about what many believe is owing - another finals tilt. The Dockers could be 7-5 ahead of the round 13 bye if they maintain the passion and intensity during their next block of games.

2. The premiership hangover came a year late for Hawthorn. Rumours that Alistair Clarkson has "lost" the players are not surprising when club legends Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis are ushered out the door but Luke Hodge's boozy indiscretion on the eve of round one may have set the wobble in motion.

3. Momentum swings occur in every quarter of every game in today's game. Taking advantage of them is critical to sealing games of football, as we've seen in the past few weeks with the WA teams... West Coast (5.3 last quarter against St Kilda) and Fremantle (7.4 third quarter against Melbourne).

Jeremy McGovern has put pressure on Jack Darling. Photo: Getty Images

1. Jack Darling is not indispensable. The Eagles forward line looked more dangerous after Darling was a late out against the Swans. Jeremy McGovern kicked two goals, narrowly missed another and had two goal assists playing forward in a performance that should put Darling on notice. If he continues his poor form, Darling should be sent back to the WAFL until he warrants a recall.

2. Youth is helping revitalise Ross Lyon as well as Fremantle. The Dockers triumph after being 21 points down at halftime against Melbourne was the club's biggest second half since Lyon has been in charge. Likewise last week's comeback from a 14-point three-quarter time deficit against the Dogs was the biggest in Lyon's five-and-a-half year tenure. Are the "kids" the answer to Fremantle breaking free from its dour defensive game plans of seasons past?

3. The Hawks dynasty is over but the Cats may be on the verge of another. Geelong have missed the finals just once in the past 10 years and appear poised for another multiple-year premiership assault. However the wheels have finally fallen off the Hawks bandwagon. They won't play finals this year or in the next couple of seasons unless Clarkson can work some more magic.

Justin:

1. Fremantle fans can rest assured their side will be competitive this season. Just prior to the Melbourne game, I was wondering if the Dockers had "fluked" their way to a win over the Bulldogs in round three, and I'm glad I was wrong. Sure, if Jesse Hogan, Max Gawn and Jordan Lewis play, the Dockers probably lose. But to see a young side go into half time down 21 and refuse to pack it in shows character, something the Dockers have lacked for some time.

2. Sydney are going to be just fine. They never really looked like beating the Eagles in Perth, but the Swans were just a handful of bad bounces, missed tackles and unlucky plays away from making a real game of it, despite fielding an enormous amount of youth. They may be 0-4, but they are getting games into their young players early and that should pay off in the long run.

Jonathan Patton celebrates one of his six goals. Photo: Getty Images

3. Jonathon Patton has had his critics, but the young full forward is growing into a beast in this competition. The former No.1 overall draft choice banged home six goals against Port Adelaide and was the difference in the match. He's aided by Toby Greene and Jeremy Cameron, who take a lot of the attention away from him, but any time Patton fires GWS will be a big chance to win.

Stampy:

1. Maybe Ross Lyon does know what he's doing with this young Dockers outfit. I wrote them off heading into Saturday's match against Melbourne but was so impressed with their second half, I couldn't explain how it was happening. Playing the likes of Neale, Fyfe and Mundy up forward is giving Fremantle new life and the young players are standing up.

2. Benching your best player for 14 minutes in a quarter is a BAD idea. Magpies captain Scott Pendlebury spent that amount of time on the bench in the third quarter - exactly when St Kilda made its run to win the game. I don't know how that happens but it's not ideal.

Scott Pendlebury on the ground against the Saints. Photo: Getty Images

3. AFL will be played on Good Friday for the next billion years. North v Bulldogs was a total success, with fans packing Etihad Stadium and great TV numbers. And the game was thrilling. I bet you were watching the game.