If ever the old saying, "football was the winner", was appropriate, it certainly applied to last weekend's round 22 of the AFL season. So many twists and turns, so many different scenarios, so many upsets, and the make-up of the final eight not settled until the final minute of the last game. It was riveting stuff.

Yet the highlight for me wasn't necessarily Lance "Buddy" Franklin reaching the 100-goal milestone or Brendan Fevola being left hanging on 99, it was the sportsmanship shown by St Kilda players in recognising the retirements and delistings of Essendon's Adam Ramanauskas, Jason Johnson, Mal Michael and Damien Peverill. The Saints had just scored a historic win and earned a top-four berth, but, rather than celebrating over the top, they displayed wonderful sportsmanship by forming a guard of honour for the Essendon veterans.

Given what Ramanauskas, 27, had been through with his battle with cancer, it was a moving moment to see him and the other boys celebrating with their loyal fans, even though they had been smashed by the Saints. I loved it.

Every player deserves a chance to say goodbye and be honoured at the same time.

Channel 9 football commentator and former top goalkicker Brian Taylor believes guards of honour and swansong laps around the ground should be awarded to only 300-game players rather than those who have been at a club for a long time.

Big fella, I vehemently disagree. If we applied that rule, champions Nathan Buckley and James Hird wouldn't have had the chance of a final goodbye, nor would club favourites Michael Wilson or Nathan Bassett.

Essendon utility Peverill was nowhere near a household name, playing 140-odd games, but there was no harder trier at the club than Pev, and he deserved a lap of honour and a final wave.

Last year, after Port Adelaide had thrashed the Kangaroos in a preliminary final, the Power players stayed on the ground and formed a guard of honour for Roo champion Glenn Archer and it was fabulous stuff. Three weeks ago, the Richmond players stood opposite the Crows and saluted Andrew McLeod as he trudged off the ground after his 300th game. It is a part of our game which is becoming more and more frequent and I hope the trend continues.

Melbourne veterans Adem Yze and Jeff White were also sent off in fine style last Sunday and they deserved every minute of the tribute. Pity there wasn't a bigger crowd at the MCG to recognise their fine playing achievements. St Kilda legend Robert Harvey has already had one huge send-off and will probably earn another in a couple of weeks when the boots are finally hung up.

Players who have played at the elite level for a number of years deserve one final goodbye from their fans and foes. Imagine the emotion at West Lakes when superstar McLeod exits the arena for the last time. There won't be a dry eye - including mine - in the house. Make sure you bring the Kleenex.

I felt it was time for the AFL to trial video replays early this season, given the number of cameras at grounds. After the controversial goal awarded to Crow Jason Porplyzia last Saturday, I'm more convinced the technology should be used.

Imagine if that terrible goal-umpiring decision had gone against the Crows and cost them the game. The crowd would have rioted.

Any contentious goal-umpiring decision could be referred to a third umpire in the stand, and the correct judgment will be made nine times out of 10. If the third umpire couldn't be sure, the onus then would go back to the on-ground umpires. With so much at stake these days and the technology available, it's imperative we get it right.

What if the contentious Porplyzia goal occurred in a grand final and it ended up deciding the result? It would be a total disaster. Rugby league uses video to determine tries, cricket uses video for stumpings, run outs and dubious catches, and tennis has introduced Hawkeye. Getting the decisions right doesn't detract from the game; it embellishes it.

Let's trial it next year in the NAB Cup and if it goes smoothly, use it in the home-and-away matches. There is no excuse not to get it right.

I'm confident Adelaide can get over Collingwood in a low-scoring slog at AAMI Stadium tomorrow, but the Crows will need to bring their A game. Porplyzia and Nick Gill could well be the game-breakers. Fancy Collingwood having to travel two weeks in a row!

I expect Hawthorn to prevail over the Western Bulldogs at the MCG tonight. Sydney, with Adam Goodes and Ryan O'Keefe returning, will beat North Melbourne at ANZ Stadium tomorrow night. And, in a shootout at the MCG on Sunday, St Kilda will be competitive for the first half then Geelong will pull away to win by 42 points.