The first half of the split round could well be remembered as the turning points in the coaching careers of Hawthorn's Alastair Clarkson and Fremantle's Chris Connolly.
The two former Melbourne rovers are at critical times in their tenures but while for Clarkson the only way from here appears to be up, for Connolly this weekend's split round could well mark the beginning of the end of his time at Fremantle.
There may have only been five matches played this weekend but Hawthorn's 100 point annihilation of Carlton and the Dockers' final term capitulation against the Bulldogs in Darwin were two of the most significant results of the season.
First the Hawks and Friday night's magnificent performance confirms the club is back as an AFL power and well ahead of Clarkson's patient schedule.
Hawthorn is not only on course for its first finals appearance since 2001 but looms as top chance of ending the home and away season with the double chance.
Remember Friday night's win - the Hawks' biggest victory and highest score since 1992 - was achieved without their three leading goalkickers of last season in Mark Williams, Ben Dixon and Lance Franklin.
But such is the Hawks' depth of tall talent their absence was easily covered against the AFL's leakiest defence.
Instead it was Jarryd Roughead, who has lived in Franklin's shadow since being drafted at pick two in the 2004 national draft (Franklin was pick five), who stole the show with five goals while the much-improved Tim Boyle and veteran Trent Croad combined for six more.
And to think the Hawks still have three more exciting youngsters in Beau Dowler, Beau Muston and Mitch Thorp to break into the side as Clarkson's long-term vision begins to take shape.
Clarkson urged Hawks fans and the board to be patient when he took over - saying it would take time to re-build a list that went into decline after the club's last finals appearance in 2001.
Remember the Hawks finished equal last that season alongside Richmond, as they dispensed with two coaches in Peter Schwab and Donald McDonald, but now they are reaping the benefits of shrewd recruiting and trading through Clarkson's long-term vision as well as the skill and knowledge of list manager Chris Pelchen and recruiting chief Gary Buckenara.
And when you consider Richmond is still on the bottom three years later, it puts into perspective just how much the Hawks have improved under Clarkson.
The one thing Clarkson did inherit when he took over was a talented midfield but he has improved this area even further as Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell have developed into two of the finest leaders in the AFL while veteran Shane Crawford is re-born under Clarkson's coaching.
And throw in the stunning improvement of Brad Sewell and the toughness of Jordan Lewis - another early draft pick - and the Hawks now have one of the most potent midfields in the AFL to go hand-in-hand with their promising young key position players.
In contrast a midfield is something Connolly does not have at a time when he is fighting for his coaching life, having been in charge of the perennially under-performing Dockers since 2002.
Connolly also took over at a time when his club was at its lowest ebb with the Dockers winning just two games in 2001 in a year in which they also