WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 8 OF THE AFL:

* THEY SAID IT: “He milks a free kick as good as anyone in the competition and he did so again. You just wish they were consistently paid to everyone who is knocked off the ball like that.” – Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson after Tom Papley earned a free kick to boot back-to-back goals in Sydney’s seven-point win

* STATS THAT MATTER: Adelaide’s record losing streak stands at 11 games after Essendon’s dramatic three-point win on Sunday at Adelaide Oval. The hapless Crows haven’t taken the premiership points since round 20 last season when they beat the Saints

* MAN OF THE ROUND: GWS superstar Toby Greene. The gun forward booted five goals to earn best-on-ground honours in the grand-final rematch, outgunning last year’s Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin, while guiding the Giants to a much-needed victory. Special mention to West Coast’s Josh Kennedy who kicked seven goals in a 66-point demolition of Collingwood

* KEY MOMENT: Tim Membrey’s acrobatic miracle goal in the final term at Adelaide Oval helped St Kilda to an upset win over Port Adelaide. Membrey didn’t even know he’d kicked it, but the score review showed Tom Jonas had punched the ball onto his opponent’s foot

* TALKING POINT: The umpires were in the spotlight again, with the fluctuating interpretation of holding the ball causing widespread confusion. AFL legend Leigh Matthews called on the league to find a way to force coaches to ease congestion in the game instead of leaving the difficult task to umpires

* TRIBUNAL WATCH: Adelaide’s Matt Crouch and Essendon’s Jacob Townsend were reported after the pair clashed heads in a heated tussle at halftime at Adelaide Oval. Hawks veteran Shaun Burgoyne escaped with a fine for his dangerous tackle on Sydney’s James Rowbottom

* KEY INJURIES: Harry McKay (Carl, knee – late withdrawal), Mitch McGovern (Carl, hamstring); Dane Rampe (Syd, right hand); Seb Ross (StK, calf); Brad Crouch (Adel, hamstring), Tom Doedee (Adel, hamstring); Jayden Laverde (Ess, ankle); Jeremy McGovern (WC, thumb – late withdrawal); Scott Pendlebury (Coll, quad – late withdrawal)

* WHAT’S NEXT: The Western Bulldogs kick off round nine on Wednesday night when they take on Richmond at Metricon Stadium. Melbourne host Port Adelaide on Thursday night at the Gabba and Friday night footy features Carlton and Hawthorn at Optus Stadium, followed by Essendon and Brisbane at Metricon. West Coast’s clash with Geelong is the pick of Saturday’s matches, with plenty of interest around Gold Coast’s Sunday encounter with GWS.