The big winners of Round 3 were...
Adelaide head coach Matthew Nicks, who started 2025 as one of the most under-pressure AFL coaches alongside colleagues Luke Beveridge and Simon Goodwin, now has a bit of breathing space after the Crows flew out to a 3-0 start to the season.
They were the favourites in all three win over St Kilda, Essendon and North Melbourne, and so whilst the opposition haven't tested Adelaide's ambitions to sneak into finals contention, they have at least answered the questions before them and piled on more than 400 points already.
They've now got a settled side with an average age of 25 in a sign that the rebuild post-Don Pyke is finally taking shape.
Their next three weeks will really reveal to the competition where they stand. If they can get two out of three wins against the three G's - GWS Giants, Gold Coast and Geelong - there'll be a lot of positive speculation about where they're headed after finishing 15th last season.
The big losers of Round 3 were...
Michael Voss' Carlton promised so much after sneaking into the eight last year and pushing eventual Premiers Brisbane in the first week of the finals.
His gameplan has been worked out and opposition sides are finding ways to overrun the Blues, especially in second halves where they have already been outscored by 89 points this season.
So underwhelming have the Blues been that they have fallen short of the main betting line in all three games so far.
It was identified by Jimmy Bartel at the weekend that Carlton have had 14 instances since the start of last year of opposition sides scoring 5+ consecutive goals against them, signalling that their in-game lapses are a recurring problem.
Games in April against North Melbourne and West Coast may offer a reprieve, but an embarrassing showing against archrivals Collingwood before that would have Voss' head on the chopping block.
Coleman Medal race
In just three appearances this season, North Melbourne star Nick Larkey has recorded hauls of 5.1, 3.1 and 4.2 despite his side losing two of those three games.
Goal of the Year: Round 3 nominees
Hawthorn's Will Day not only drove this one home from 65 out but he used the crosswind perfectly, angling this one across goal before letting the conditions do the rest for him.
Mitch Owens was the top scorer of St Kilda's thumping win over wooden spoon favourites Richmond. Just look how cool he was under pressure on his non-preferred foot here.
We couldn't help but think of the late Andrew Krakouer today when we saw Liam Ryan's stylish bid for goal of the week with this well directed dribble kick.
Mark of the Year: Round 3 nominees
Mitch Georgiades recorded just six marks last weekend but is now in the running for the grand prize thanks to this high-flier.
Georgiades doesn't have a lot of competition for nominations this week, but at least newsrooms in Perth would have been going into overdrive yesterday following this grab from their beloved Harley Reid.