Rohan Connolly's last word on round eight

We'll call it a day there, folks, apologies for questions couldn't get to. Thanks everyone for the questions, comments and observations. We'll do it all again same time next Monday. And don't forget my live Facebook chat session from 12.30pm on Wednesday. Cheers, RoCo signing off!

Rohan Connolly will be here blogging live from midday on Monday, Jump in early and leave a comment now, or join the conversation from 12pm.

THE STIRRING

Luke Hodge and the Hawks should not be written off lightly. Photo: AFL Media/Getty Images

Is that a faint rumbling we're hearing down the bottom end of the AFL table? It didn't look quite right seeing Hawthorn and Sydney anchored near the foot of the ladder, but perhaps that's not going to be the case too much longer. The Hawks have now won three of their past four games, and up against Collingwood this week, have a decent chance of making that four from five. Sydney finally broke the ice against Brisbane, but Sunday's impressive win over North Melbourne was easily the best football the Swans have played this season. The two fallen giants are up against each other in a fortnight. That could be the best-standard game between two bottom five teams we've seen for some time.

THE TAGGERS

Rory Sloane was quiet by his standards and Bernie Vince had a win against his former club in his 200th AFL game. Photo: Daniel Kalisz

For a while now, we seem to have been wondering why coaches remain so reluctant to allow prolific possession winners to do their stuff without the attention of a close tag. Team defence, exploiting the opponent the other way, concentrating on their own games, they've all been trotted out as rationales. But perhaps the tide is turning again after the events of recent weeks. First, Collingwood's Levi Greenwood applied a hard tag to Geelong's Joel Selwood with impressive results. Now, two weeks in succession, North Melbourne and Melbourne have shut down Adelaide star Rory Sloane's influence with the close attentions of Sam Gibson and Bernie Vince. No coincidence that on all three occasions, those sides won the bigger game, too. The tagger may be back in town.

THE IMPROVEMENT

Michael Hurley has begun to impose himsel on games.  Photo: AFL Media/Getty Images

Michael Hurley, like a lot of the Essendon players returning from those year-long CAS suspensions, didn't seem himself at the start of the season, unsure, failing to make an impact on the contest and not providing his usual rebound. That changed dramatically in the Bombers' Anzac Day win over Collingwood. And since then, the All-Australian key defender hasn't missed a beat, superb again on Saturday night against Geelong, finishing with eight marks and 27 disposals. That form has enabled coach John Worsfold to continue with the relative luxury of Cale Hooker up forward, Hurley not only offering enough defensive cover, but creating plenty of attack. In this sort of form, he's at short odds for a second All-Australian gong.

THE CROWDS

Pumped: Steve Johnson celebrates after kicking the winning goal on Saturday. Photo: Getty Images

Greater Western Sydney are a looming giant (pardon the pun) of the AFL and already play one of the most attractive brands in the game. Is that going to pay off in supporters over the long term? It's certainly taking time. The Giants' Spotless Stadium home drew 11,360 on Saturday night against Collingwood, more than 2000 less than the last time the Pies played there less than a year ago, after just over 8000 against Gold Coast in round two. The Pies are hardly faring well, but shouldn't the strides GWS have taken over that time be attracting more supporters of their own? AFL officials would be wanting to see better turnouts for the remaining six games at Spotless this season.