For Port Adelaide a trip to Darwin saw them return to the winners list for just the second time this season, while the Crows continue their slide with a disappointing loss at home to the Lions.
In the opening match of the round on Friday night, Carlton did what they had to do - accounting for Melbourne at the MCG.
It was an ugly match with few highlights, but the Blues showed they will be right in the thick of the action come September with an easy win.
The Dees were poor, and their supporters' hope of playing in the finals seems a long way off.
Saturday afternoon saw a one point thriller at Docklands, with Sydney just getting home over North Melbourne in a tight tussle.
Across the other side of the country, the St Kilda revival continued with a big win over the Dockers at Subiaco.
The return to form of the Saints has seen them win their past two and with a grand final rematch with Collingwood on the cards this week, their turn around has come just at the right time.
However they could be missing two key players, with Goddard and Dempster taken to hospital after horrific hits to the head and neck during the match.
Both have returned home but their availability this week is unlikely.
Saturday night saw Gold Coast play their first match at their home stadium when they hosted Geelong.
Karmichael Hunt lit up the crowd with his first ever AFL goal, a booming kick from outside 50.
But despite trailing at half time, the Cats were far too strong for the new boys, winning by over 10 goals with Steve Johnson booting a career high 7 majors.
The other match of the night was nearly hit by disaster, with the lights at Darwin's Marrara Oval failing during the warm up.
They were restarted just before the opening bounce, and despite another tower failing in the second term, the match continued.
And it was the Power who were switched on the best, winning just their second match of the year with a 15 point victory over the Tigers.
On Sunday, the topsy turvey season for the Crows continued, with the club sinking to a 40 point loss to Brisbane at Footy Park.
The Lions went in to the match at the bottom of the ladder, but the outclassed the Crows for the final three quarters and they won going away.
Collingwood easily accounted for West Coast at the MCG in the middle match on Sunday, with Dale Thomas the star of the show with two stunning goals and a big mark on the goal line.
The Pies sit second on the ladder and are primed for their Grand Final rematch this weekend.
The final match of the round saw Hawthorn continue their impressive 2011 season, defeating the Western Bulldogs at Docklands.
The Dogs look in all sort of trouble and may struggle to make the 8, while the Hawks are become a team to be feared.
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