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Was round 18 the weekend that we officially put a line through another premiership contender?The Western Bulldogs -- who have thrilled crowds all year with their run-and-gun style of play -- were batted, bruised and badly beaten on Saturday night in what could turn out to be the most pivotal night of their season. While the 15-point loss to St Kilda was hard enough to swallow, it was the serious injuries which they picked up that has many doubting whether the Dogs can have a serious tilt at the flag.Mitch Wallis fractured his tibia and fibula in a horrific collision with Shane Savage, before key forward Jack Redpath ruptured his ACL. Both players will miss the remainder of the season, while Dale Morris may also spend time on the sidelines after tweaking his hamstring earlier in the contest.With the Dogs on the slide, West Coast, Geelong and North Melbourne managed to keep their top-four hopes alive as Greater Western Sydney came from behind against the Power to snatch second spot.?The jostling for position ahead of September has been fascinating to watch with every game, and margin, proving critical as only a small percentage separates second down to seventh.But its the evergreen Hawks that continue to hold onto top spot of the ladder -- two games clear of the chasing pack.Speaking of the Hawks, a special mention must go to Sam Mitchell who starred in his 300th match with 38 disposals. What a terrific player he has been since entering the competition in 2002.HEROESSam Gibson:?Friday nights clash with Collingwood was must-win for the confidence-sapped Kangaroos and a dominant display by winger Sam Gibson went a long way in securing the four points. The 30-year-old racked up a game-high 33 disposals, took seven marks and kicked a great goal, but it was his gritty first half along with Daniel Wells that set the win up as the Roos stormed out to an early seven goal lead. If North Melbourne are to rediscover their early season form, Gibson will need to play more consistent football as his link up play from half-back to half-forward is first rate.?The Roos have stopped the free fall for now and will take some confidence leading into this weekends AFL/ VFL games record breaking game for Brent Harvey.Patrick Cripps vs. Josh Kennedy: Two of the competitions most elite hard-ball winners fought brilliantly at the SCG. Cripps -- the youngest player in AFL history to reach 250 clearances -- had 32 disposals and laid a career-high 13 tackles in his sides six point loss to Sydney. The 21-year-old has played some memorable games already in his short career, but his effort on Saturday shows why many expect him to be Cartons next captain. Josh Kennedy continued his consistent season with 35 disposals, six tackles and an important goal. It was Kennedy who sparked the Swans into life after a rather lacklustre opening quarter.Tom Rockliff: To say the Brisbane Lions have been under the pump this season is a massive understatement. In times of crisis, you look to your captain, and Tom Rockliff was inspirational in leading his side to a 37-point win over Essendon to finally snap a 12-game losing streak. Although it came against the lowly Bombers, Rockliff was tireless in his pursuit to win the ball in congestion, and his gutsy performance will work wonders on the clubs younger, developing players. Rockliff wasnt the only Lion to star with Daniel Rich, Pearce Hanley, Stefan Martin and Mitch Robinson all having a tremendous influence on the match. Its the sort of win that will provide coach Justin Leppitsch with a slight reprieve, now they just need to build upon it.VILLAINSEssendons goalkicking:?Its hard to be critical of a struggling side thats missing a dozen of their best 22, but Essendons goalkicking in 2016 has been nothing short of atrocious. It seems ridiculous that they dont have a full-time goalkicking coach with their returns being so poor each week. The Bombers -- who currently pose few attacking threats -- hold the worst goalkicking accuracy of the competition by a significant margin. From their 17 matches this season, Essendon sit dead last in converting their chances with only 41.5 percent of shots registering a goal, significantly below the AFL average of 50.6 percent.Melbournes late fade out:?For a side that hasnt had much luck on the road in recent years, Saturday afternoons last-quarter capitulation at Domain Stadium will be rued as the one that got away. While they are a young team on the rise that can take plenty of positives out of their clash against the finals-bound Eagles, the Demons, if they are honest with themselves, need to take a good look in the mirror and wonder how they surrendered the contest. They Demons manufactured 66 inside 50s to the Eagles 37 and led at every change only to fail to kick a goal in the final quarter and fall to their 17th consecutive Perth defeat. For the Demons, they will lament a landmark opportunity that got away.Port Adelaide:?With their finals hopes on the line, Port Adelaide failed to capitalise against the Greater Western Sydney Giants, despite looking in control for the majority of the match. The Power outclassed their opponents for two and a half quarters only to relinquish all control of the game. The Giants kicked four goals in a 10-minute third-quarter burst that buried the Power and their hopes of a top-eight finish. Ken Hinkley will be disappointed that his side was unable to curb the influence of Stephen Coniglio, Dylan Shiel and Devon Smith, who outsmarted them inside forward 50. Air Force 1 High Outlet . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Air Force 1 Womens Outlet . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. https://www.cheapairforce1outlet.com/ . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. Air Force 1 Black Outlet . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Air Force 1 Green Outlet . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. MADISON, Wis. -- The secret is out at No. 11 Wisconsin: Alex Hornibrook will start at quarterback on Saturday against No. 8 Michigan State.Coach Paul Chryst said Thursday that Hornibrook would take over behind center after Bart Houston started the first three games.Chryst said he made the decision this week, though Thursday was the first time that he had talked about it publicly.Hornibrook is a redshirt freshman in his second year in the Wisconsin program under second-year coach Chryst. The left-handed quarterback has showed poise and accuracy in limited time for the Badgers (3-0).Hornibrook helped jump-start the offense in the second half last week in a 23-17 win over Georgia State. He relieved Houston midway through the third quarter and led three scoring drives.Uncertainty remains at running back for Wisconsin.Lead running back Corey Clement (left ankle) and backup Taiwan Deal (right ankle) are listed as questionable for Saturdays game. Clement misssed last weeks game after getting hurt in Week 2 against Akron.ddddddddddddChryst said Clement had a chance to play on Saturday, and that the senior was able to do more at practice this week.Freshman Bradrick Shaw is out with a right shoulder injury. Of the Badgers top four running backs, only Dare Ogunbowale isnt listed on the injury report.In a surprise, strong-legged kicker Rafael Gaglianone has been ruled out with a back injury. Backup Andrew Endicott, a senior, hasnt attempted a field goal in his career.Also, the two players that Wisconsin has started at left guard remain on the injury report, with Jon Dietzen (right leg) ruled out. Micah Kapoi (left foot) is questionable, so sophomore Brett Connors could make his first career start if Kapoi cant go.---Online: The APs college football page: http://collegfootball.ap.org ' ' '