After a week off due to the Victoria vs. Dream Team match, coaches were eager to see how their boys would deal with extra break. On the field, everything seemed as it had been before the break; Hawthorn, Geelong and the Bulldogs all took the 4 points, while for Melbourne, the honeymoon was over. After a breakthrough win against the Dockers in Round 7, they were pumped by the classy Crows to the tune of 76 points. The inexperienced Bombers were no match for the Swans, while Fremantle's form slump continued with a courageous come-from-ahead loss.

Round 8 began on Friday night, with St Kilda taking on the Pies at the Dome. After a tight tustle, Collingwood came away 9 point winners and with a few tough matches to come, the win was worth its weight in gold. Lenny Hayes (124) was best afield, while Nick Dal Santo (116) and Luke Ball (115) showed some timely form. For the Pies, it was the midfield that did the damage, with Scott Pendlebury (116), Dane Swan (114), Scott Burns (114) and Leon Davis (108) all performing solidly, while after scoring 150 in Round 7, Heath Shaw crashed back to earth, with a shocking 40.

Hawthorn remained undefeated, proving too good for Por Adelaide at Aurora Stadium. Shaun Burgoyne (143) threatened to steal the show for Power, while youngster Robbie Gray (117) was very impressive. For the Hawks, Chance Bateman (123), Brad Sewell (116), Jordan Lewis (106) and Sam Mitchell (100) racked, fed the dangerous Lance Franklin (98) with plenty of opportunities.

Richmond looked good early, but succombed to the might of the reigning premiers, losing by 30 points. For the Cats, Gary Ablett Jnr. (135) was everywhere, while the wily Paul Chapman (119) kicked four in the wet, in an impressive display. For the Tigers, Jordan McMahon (114) was back in form, while Big Richo's remarkable year continued, scoring 101. Averaging 103 this season, he is arguably in career best form.

Brisbane were too good for Carlton, with a resounding 33 point win. Travis Johnstone (150) blitzed the Blues, with 32 possessions and 3 goals. Jono Brown (101) finally showed some form, but it will take a score of 300+ next week before I'm willing to forgive him for his shocking start to 2008. Meanwhile, Marc Murphy is one player who has definitely slipped under my guard. His 142 lifted his season average to 105 and is now showing why he was so highly regaurding by the Carlton coaching staff.

West Coast showed some fight but were still unable to muster a win against North Melbourne. Their drop from power this season has become a real talking point and must have coach John Worsfold scratching his head. David Hale (123) was thrown up forward and kicked 3.1 in a career best performance. For the Eagles, Chad Fletcher (111) and Dean Cox (109) were both servicable. Meanwhile, the form of Mark Nicoski is just becoming plain silly. After an impressive 97 in Round 1, his top score in his last six matches has been 45.

After an astounding win against the odds in Round 7, Melbounre ventured to AAMI Stadium to challenge Adelaide. Surely, their young side could not cause another upset.... They didn't, and never really challenged the Crows. Brett Burton (139) was at his mercurail best, while Nathan Van Berlo (116), Chris Knights (111) and Bernie Vince (108), supplied the forwards with plenty of the ball. For the Demons, Jeff White (106) won the ruck dual, while youngster Cale Morton (95) was very impressive, booting 3 goals in his side's 76 point defeat.

The young Bombers were no match for a clinical Sydney, who handed them a 91 point thrashing. Darren Jolly (132) was in career best form, while it was the Michael O'Loughlin of old, as he kicked 6.0. Nothing muchto write home about for the Bombers, with Andrew Welsh top scoring with a measly 98.

The Bulldogs remained undefeated with a come from behing win against the Dockers; a tale which is becoming all to familiar for Fremantle. Their shocking final quarter fade outs must becoming a serious concern for coach Mark Harvey. While veterans Peter Bell (115), Aaron Sandilands (114) and Matthew Pavlich (97) performed admirably, there was just no support from the second-string players. Nathan Eagleton (110), Robert Murphy (108) and Daniel Cross (101) helped their team over the line. Kepler Bradley's 84 has me baffled and has forced me to question my belief that he is by far the worst player in the league.