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Hawthorn had a big upset win over the Giants, while Geelong stayed a game clear top of the ladder and Richmond had a successful trip to Perth.
GWS coach Leon Cameron has lamented the Giants' lack of mental strength after Hawthorn picked apart the AFL premiership fancies.
The Hawks were always going to be dangerous after Alastair Clarkson had called them a middle-of-the-road side, plus the shock axing of former captain Jarryd Roughead.
Even though they lost Isaac Smith as a late withdrawal, the Hawks were outstanding on Sunday at the MCG and kicked clear in the second half for a 33-point win.
Just as the 10.11 (71) to 5.8 (38) victory is a massive morale boost to the Hawks, it begs big questions of the Giants.
In Perth, Richmond quickly moved on from last week's upset loss to the Western Bulldogs with a 25-point defeat of Fremantle.
The 17.9 (111) to 12.14 (86) win means the Tigers are equal third with a 5-3 record, while the Dockers' second-straight loss leaves them eighth on 4-4.
Richmond lost ruckman Toby Nankervis (groin) and Jack Ross (ankle) in the first half but still had enough firepower to seal their fifth win of the year.
Adding to a dirty day for Fremantle, captain Nat Fyfe will face match review scrutiny for his forearm to the head of Tom Lynch.
Fyfe was lucky the point of his elbow didn't make contact with Lynch's head but he still faces a nervous wait to see whether the hit will attract a suspension.
Geelong stayed a game clear of Collingwood at the top of the ladder after holding off North Melbourne by 24 points on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.
In the Mother's Day coaching battle between the Scott twins, Chris came out on top 16.8 (104) to 11.14 (80).
But Cats star Gary Ablett is in trouble for the second-successive week for a raised forearm hit, off the ball, that is certain to attract match review scrutiny.
Cameron also has big worries, saying the Giants had not played that badly in a long time.
"Myself and our coaching staff and our players have got to put our hands up and take full responsibility because it was just totally unacceptable," he said.
"I don't think it could be physical because we're only in round eight and we had an eight-day break, so it has to be mental.
"Credit to Hawthorn, they picked us apart and really stifled our ball movement or allow us to score but we're just disappointed that we didn't deliver on our end of the bargain."
The Magpies overran Carlton with the last five goals of the match and, likewise, Melbourne looked gone with a minute left against Gold Coast before they stormed home to win by a point.
Adelaide were too good for injury-plagued Port Adelaide in the Showdown and West Coast, the Western Bulldogs and Sydney were the other round-eight winners.
