WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 12 OF THE AFL:

THEY SAID IT: “It’s probably one of the better wins we’ve had – not just for the season.” – Swans coach John Longmire can’t remember coaching many better victories, having watched his team roll reigning premiers West Coast despite having one fit man on the bench for the second half

STATS THAT MATTER: After losing his 50th, 100th and 150th games, North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell finally tasted victory in a milestone match, picking up 28 disposals, 10 tackles and two goals in the Kangaroos 27-point win over Gold Coast

MAN OF THE ROUND: Fittingly it was Patrick Cripps who led the way as Carlton beat Brisbane to finally snap their AFL drought. The inspirational skipper gathered 38 disposals and eight clearances while also booting a career-best four goals in another performance certain to net him three Brownlow Medal votes

KEY MOMENT: With five minutes remaining in Saturday’s game at Marvel Stadium, Lincoln McCarthy’s goal put Brisbane within two kicks. Enter Cripps, who soared out of a pack and slotted his fourth major to cap off a remarkable performance and put Carlton’s victory beyond doubt

TALKING POINT: Has Richmond’s injury crisis reached tipping point? Missing at least seven first-choice players, the Tigers were barely competitive in a 67-point loss to Geelong. The bye couldn’t come at a better time for Damien Hardwick’s men as they look to keep their top-four hopes alive

TRIBUNAL WATCH: West Coast duo Willie Rioli and Nathan Vardy were each charged with rough conduct and offered one-game bans for incidents in their loss to Sydney. Gold Coast’s Jack Martin was not sanctioned for his bump on North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell but was fined $1000 for engaging in a melee

KEY INJURIES: Shaun Higgins (NM, shoulder), Jordan Murdoch (GC, ankle), Toby Greene (GWS, knee), Tom Lynch (calf), Jarrad McVeigh (Syd, hamstring), Jackson Thurlow (Syd, concussion), Colin O’Riordan (Syd, concussion), Elliot Yeo (WC, calf), Esava Ratugolea (Geel, hamstring), Sam Frost (Melb, concussion)

WHAT’S NEXT: Richmond will be desperate to avoid a third straight loss on Thursday night when they face the Crows at Adelaide Oval. Essendon and Hawthorn face off on Friday night while North Melbourne will look to make it three for three under Rhyce Shaw when they host GWS in Hobart. Brisbane, Collingwood, Geelong, Melbourne, Sydney and West Coast have the bye.