Just how important could Jay Schulz's late goal against Melbourne prove to be?
It certainly earned Port Adelaide a much-needed victory - their first in a month.
But in a congested AFL ladder, the four points earned could eventually yield much more.
Should Port Adelaide kick on, it could be the goal that gives Port Adelaide a home qualifying final or keeps them in the top four.
And in a tight tussle for the Coleman Medal, it could prove decisive for Schulz's chances of individual glory.
He currently leads Geelong big man Tom Hawkins by four, with favourite Lance Franklin one goal further back.
Most importantly, the Power now has a chance to rebuild a season hit by four losses in five games.
Port coach Ken Hinkley said his side weren't playing champagne football but he'd take the win.
"Sometimes you've got to grind out something to make it start going the direction we want," Hinkley said.
On paper, this looked to be a five-match round with four blow-outs predicted by most.
Instead, season-best wins to Carlton and St Kilda, a stirring win from Essendon and spirited efforts in defeat from the Giants, Bulldogs and Demons made it one to remember.
This was an AFL round that reminded all that anything is possible - most of all Fremantle coach Ross Lyon.
As upsets go, they don't come too much bigger than the Saints' win.
This was 18th v 2nd. On the back of 11 straight losses, the Saints prevailed in style.
"There are no easy days in the AFL and two clubs have been reminded of that, North Melbourne... and us today," Lyon said after seeing his side lose by 58 points.
North Melbourne boss Brad Scott said there was "a stink" about his side, who conceded six straight last-term goals in their defeat to Carlton.
"We just played safe footy... refused to take a risk, refused to take the game on," he said.
"We know that when we play our best footy we're doing that."
North's loss keeps them at arm's distance from the five sides above them, with the two wins separating them from Port Adelaide unlikely to be bridged unless they can beat Geelong next round.
Brother Chris Scott's side earned a close win on Saturday night over GWS Giants by holding their young forwards out.
And just when the exciting weekend was winding down, Essendon shaded Western Bulldogs in another classic thanks to a remarkable individual effort from Jake Carlisle.
His eight-goal haul was double his previous best - set last week - and helped reel in a Bulldogs side that looked like hanging on.
With more rounds like this, and more moments like Schulz's late goal, there'll be plenty more twists in the season to come.
Share
