Flag fancies flexed their muscles, supposed contenders were exposed as pretenders, while eighth spot changed hands amid some staggering results in the AFL’s round 21.

Premiership hopefuls Geelong, Brisbane, West Coast and Richmond all banked wins to consolidate their top-four status.

Port Adelaide snuck into the eight at the expense of their home-town rival Adelaide.

Port, the ninth-placed Crows and the surging Western Bulldogs (10th) are all equal on wins, split by percentage with two rounds remaining.

It’s similarly tight at the head of the table, with Geelong, Brisbane and West Coast all level on 15 wins.

The Cats hold top spot by 12.5 per cent from the second-placed Lions – and the clubs meet next Saturday in a Brisbane blockbuster which could ultimately settle the minor premiership.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan is instructing his players to soak up the hype.

“If we want to be a good team we have to play in these games all the time – get used to it, that’s what I say,” Fagan said.

The day after that fixture, fourth-placed Richmond host third-placed West Coast at the MCG.

Both the Tigers and Eagles chalked up wins on Sunday – the Eagles denied Adelaide’s bid to reclaim eighth spot with a hard-fought 10-point win in Perth, with Crows co=captain Rory Sloane suffering an eye injury.

And the Tigers put a halt to the so-called Teague train with a convincing 28 point win against Carlton.

The Richmond result leaves Carlton’s caretaker coach David Teague with five wins and four losses since replacing the axed Brendon Bolton.

Also Sunday, Fremantle’s finals chances went from slim to needing a miracle after losing to St Kilda by three points, with Saint Josh Bruce converting a 35m set shot in the last minute to win.

The Dockers’ loss came after a day of carnage for likely finalists Essendon – they conceded a stunning 21 consecutive goals in a 104-point thrashing by the Western Bulldogs.

“We deserve all the criticism that we get for what we dished up but that’s not who we are,” Bombers coach John Worsfold said post-game.

The Bulldogs picked up almost seven per cent with their rout.

“It was a big night with a lot on the line, let’s face it,” Dogs coach Luke Beveridge said.

Essendon’s Worsfold isn’t the only coach grappling with weekend maulings.

Both sixth-placed GWS and North Melbourne were kept to record low scores.

The Roos were restricted to just 1.8 (14) in a 55-point loss to Geelong on Saturday night, while the Giants scored just 4.5 (29) when defeated by Hawthorn on Friday.

“We are embarrassed, let’s be honest.” GWS coach Leon Cameron said.