It was in the middle of 2006 that Hawthorn supporters first had a glimpse of how good their side might be.

It actually came after a loss to West Coast at the MCG. The Hawks had just five wins to their name ahead of the round 13 clash, but they pushed the eventual premiers all day, losing by just 10 points after leading all day. And with rising star Lance Franklin sitting injured on the bench for most of the match.

Hawthorn fans left the MCG that day finally convinced that Alastair Clarkson had them on the right track and you have to think that now, Melbourne fans been similarly excited about what might be around the corner for their side.

A flag within two and a half years like the Hawks? Perhaps a touch fanciful. But following Melbourne's 73-point thrashing of Sydney at the MCG on Sunday, long-suffering Demon supporters can also dare to dream.

They smashed the Swans. Eight goals to two in the first term and the game was as ggood as over. Four goals to two in the second term was impressive, but the eight goal third term practically had the Melbourne supporters dancing in the aisles.

Melbourne enjoyed clear wins in the tackle count and contested possessions against a side that has been the yardstick in those departments for years. Thirteen individual goalkickers is another important indicator of a side that is doing the right things. This even spread has worked for Collingwood for much of the season and this week also for the Demons.

Coach Dean Bailey didn't have much to show for two years of hard graft, but the third season is panning out quite nicely. A win outside Victoria would be nice (the win over Port Adelaide in Darwin doesn't count because it was neutral territory) so next week's trip to the Gabba is keenly anticipated as will be a round 20 MCG clash with Hawthorn where the Demons will again relish the chance to play finals spoiler.

The Swans were really poor. It was quite possibly their last game in Victoria for the season and for Paul Roos perhaps the last time he will coach at the MCG. He said afterwards that he will move on quickly from the game and really, he hasn't much of a choice, with the Cats and the Hawks next on the agenda, both in Sydney.

The blessing for the Swans is that they might be safe in the finals. Whether they are worthy September participants is an irrelevant discussion because they are in eighth place, a game and healthy percentage ahead of North Melbourne.

North's narrow loss to Essendon on Saturday night dealt its finals hopes a huge blow, while Adelaide's grandstand run to the finals came to a crashing halt in the Showdown in Adelaide. With Simon Goodwin and Andrew McLeod both watching from the stands, this was the game that was supposed to give us a glimpse of Adelaide's future and what it showed is that the Crows have a leadership gulf. Port simply worked harder, clearly wanted the win a whole lot more and there was nobody on the Crows prepared to take the game on and spark a form reversal.

Equally as poor as the Swans and the Crows was Fremantle - humiliated by 82 points by the Western Bulldogs at Docklands. It was the battle for fourth spot and it, too, was over by the first change. The emerging Fremantle side has been one of the revelations of the season, but you can put a fork through the Dockers for 2010 with regards to doing any damage in the finals. They're done.

Only five teams can win it but the beauty of the season is that there is a compelling case to be made for each of those - Collingwood, Geelong, St Kilda, the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn - to win it.

Equally, there are sound reasons why they won't. With the top eight all but decided, much of the next five weeks will be about those five sides jockeying for position come the start of the finals.

But what will take place after that should be spectacular.