AFL Round-Up: Brisbane, Sydney and Geelong joined by Fremantle and St Kilda as round six reveals the list of challengers

At the end of a round in which Melbourne kicked 22 behinds but still won without breaking a sweat, it's high time to look at who, if anyone, can challenge them in 2022.

Welcome to the AFL Round-Up, where we digest the week that was.

The Demons have run roughshod over the first six weeks of this season, leading some to declare the season is as good as over in late April. In fairness, not since the 2008 Cats, 2009 Saints or 2018 Tigers has there been such a sure thing at this point in the season.

But the real action so far has been in the rung below that, which has been vacated by the slow-starting Bulldogs and Power and filled instead by some younger, more exciting teams.

The consensus is Brisbane is the team most prepared to launch a challenge. You will find no argument here.

The Lions are the league's highest scorers and play with the sort of flair that will make them a popular chaser. Crucially, they do have recent experience in high-stakes finals and, though they have often ended in heartbreak, that's more than you can say for some of the other current risers.

Sydney too are within striking distance. They are perhaps slightly more flighty than Brisbane, as a serious scare against North Melbourne and their slow start against Hawthorn would indicate, but they are maturing rapidly and are loaded with attacking weapons from back to front.

Then there's Geelong, who must remain in the conversation. One day, the annually predicted slide will actually come to fruition but, despite the genuine All Australian-calibre talent they have on every line, it's not going to be this year.

There are few surprises in that list. But hot on their heels are a couple of big movers who are making big noises.

The Dockers couldn't have been more