West Coast and Sydney re-established themselves during round eight of the AFL season as several rivals slipped off the pace.

Last year's grand finalists posted significant victories this weekend, and the Eagles moved one game clear on top of the ladder with a routine 77-point drubbing of winless Melbourne at Subiaco Oval.

The Eagles made up for their first defeat of the season, to Geelong last week, but the 19.23 (137) to 9.6 (60) win will likely come at a huge cost as Brownlow Medal fancy Daniel Kerr was reported.

Sydney's impressive win over Port Adelaide at the SCG was a sign the Swans had found their zing after successive defeats and a mediocre first third of the season.

Coach Paul Roos was warmed by their trademark hunger and toughness in the 17.16 (118) to 13.9 (87) win, and the result also brought home some truths to Power coach Mark Williams.

Port have been one of the big surprise packets this season and led the ladder after round seven, but Williams acknowledged his men needed to prove they could win big games.

"We are all about the next challenge and how we stack up and we will say that we were not good enough," he said.

"We have to be better than what we were to be where Sydney are in terms of readiness to play in huge games."

Round eight was also a major disappointment for Fremantle and St Kilda, two of the highly-fancied sides pre-season.

The Dockers and Saints both lost and find themselves outside the eight - St Kilda by four points, Fremantle by eight - and will play off in a crucial clash on Friday night to kick off round nine.

The Western Bulldogs moved into the eight with a 33-point defeat of Collingwood at Telstra Dome and are now one of six teams locked on 20 points.

The match was similar to last year's elimination final as the Bulldogs clawed back after trailing in the second quarter and then overran the Magpies 12 goals to three after half-time to win 20.15 (135) to 14.18 (102).

"After half-time it was a real collective effort, obviously there were players who played better than others but I think across the board we lifted our workrate," said Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade.

Collingwood boss Mick Malthouse was also impressed by the Doggies' hard running and pinpoint kicking and said they continued to slip under the radar.

"They are a side that doesn't attract a lot of attention, they should be classed in the top two or three sides in the competition," Malthouse said.

Kerr was reported for making high, front-on contact on Melbourne's Cameron Bruce in the opening quarter.

Kerr began round eight as the third favourite for the Brownlow, behind teammate Chris Judd and Port's Chad Cornes, but betting on him will be suspended pending the match review panel's assessment.

Kerr was the runner-up behind teammate Ben Cousins in the 2005 Brownlow count and was ineligible last year through suspension.

Given the panel's previous findings on front-on bumping, Kerr appears destined to be suspended and ruled ineligible again.

Geelong continued their good form by beating Fremantle 14.10 (94) to 10.9 (69) at Skilled Stadium.

The Kangaroos posted a fifth successive win - the best streak in the league - in beating Carlton 22.15 (147) to 20.10 (130) on the Gold Coast in captain Adam Simpson's 250th game.

St Kilda were disappointing in their loss to Hawthorn 10.12 (72) to 6.8 (44) in a game marred by defensive tactics and low scoring.

Essendon's under-scrutiny coach Kevin Sheedy got some welcome respite through his side's thumping 18.19 (127) to 8.15 (63) win over the Brisbane Lions.

Adelaide began the round with a 14.15 (99) to 14.6 (90) win over a gallant Richmond, who remain winless with the Demons.

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