1. Smith's injury worry
With the strong likelihood of a tough qualifying final next week in Perth against West Coast's deep midfield, the Hawks can ill afford to be without Isaac Smith, but they might be.
Smith and fellow speedster Bradley Hill were finding some touch against the Blues before a shudder went through the Hawthorn camp early in the third term when Smith was tackled and appeared to damage the medial ligament in the knee of his favoured left leg.
Smith hobbled and unsuccessfully tried to jog before walking off for treatment in the rooms. He didn't return.
Medical opinion suggests a minor strain would sideline him for two weeks, while a more serious tear would stretch to four to six weeks. Further complicating matters, the Hawks had already substituted veteran Shaun Burgoyne out of the contest at half-time.
2. The Blues 'win' the wooden spoon
By virtue of the Brisbane Lions' upset win over the Western Bulldogs, and Carlton's loss to Hawthorn, the Blues have been consigned to their fourth wooden spoon – all of which have come in the 2000s (2002, 2005, 2006 and now 2015).
On the positive side of the equation for the Blues, it means their rebuild will be boosted by the coveted No.1 draft pick – the fourth such numero uno on their playing list.
The Blues' predicament also provides new coach Brendan Bolton and list manager Stephen Silvagni with the strongest of mandates for change. Bolton returned to Hawks headquarters on Tuesday for a farewell morning tea, and Blues fans can't wait to see what he has brewed up for their boys.
3. Simpson reported
There was little excitement in the second term but things livened up momentarily when Carlton veteran Kade Simpson was reported for making high contact with Hawthorn ruckman David Hale.
As Hale went low to gather a bouncing ball, Simpson tried to kick it off the ground and in the process his hip collected Hale.
There was little harm done, as the big Hawk soon regained his feet to take the resultant free kick.
4. Carlton's curtain calls
After announcing their retirements this week, Blues midfielders Andrew Carrazzo and David Ellard played their final AFL games. Fittingly, former vice-captain and club champion Carrazzo, 31, was one of the most prolific ball-winners on the field in his 194th game.
The former Geelong and Carlton rookie now plans to pursue an umpiring career. A hard but scrupulously fair player, and an articulate, well-reasoned individual, Carrazzo would appear a great addition to umpiring ranks. Meanwhile, Ellard, 26, played 63 games in an injury-plagued career.
5. We're with you, 'Ratts'
As Hawks board member Richard Garvey noted at a pre-match function, footy has a great way of wrapping its arms around people – and that's just what both clubs did to Carlton great and Hawthorn assistant coach Brett Ratten, who recently lost his teenage son Cooper in a tragic car accident.
Both clubs formed a guard of honour comprising players, children of the respective coaching staffs and past players, and members of Cooper's football club, Yarra Glen.
Players from both teams, who donned black armbands, shook hands before walking together through a joint banner emblazoned with a large, "FAMILY", along with the inscription, "R.I.P COOPER RATTEN".
