4. Essendon has unearthed serious talent in 2016
The Bombers' campaign this year has to be the most fruitful three-win season in the competition's history. Clearly the circumstances are unprecedented, but Essendon has managed to make great inroads and learn plenty about its youngsters in a season that could have been wasted. On Saturday the flair of youth was on show against Carlton, with most of Essendon's best players at the younger end. Zach Merrett continued his sparkling form this season and is on track for his first best and fairest award, while Joe Daniher's five-goal haul had shades of a young Lance Franklin. Then there was second-year pair Jayden Laverde and Kyle Langford (three goals) in attack, while first-year sensations Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (four goals) and Darcy Parish (23 disposals) were also excellent. All of these players are in Essendon's starting side next year when the suspended players return, plus they have Aaron Francis waiting in the wings. There are brighter times ahead, which showed in the Bombers' 24-point win over Carlton. - Callum Twomey
twomey spits out this dross in the nine things we learned on the afl website, mustve been hitten up the bath salts all weekend the peanut