1. Buddy better late than never
It took Lance Franklin just seconds to make an impact in his first game against his former club. He crashed into Jordan Lewis at the opening bounce, then smothered Lewis' free kick. Playing forward alongside Adam Goodes and Kurt Tippett, the former Hawk looked good moving across the ground and marked strongly, but left his kicking boots at home in the first half when he registered a wasteful six behinds. However, two pivotal goals in the final term helped see his new side home.
2. Roughead's nervous wait
Jarryd Roughead faces an anxious weekend awaiting the verdict on a high bump on Swan Ben McGlynn early in the third term. The clash left McGlynn flat on his face in the centre square and in the hands of the doctors shortly afterwards on the bench. The incident marred what was a good game from the Hawk, whose early hard work and late goals helped keep his team in touch with the hosts. Thankfully, McGlynn was able to return to the field and play out the rest of the match.
3. Hawthorn's casualty ward
In some ways, next week's bye can't come at a better time for the Hawks, who left out Luke Hodge due to hamstring tightness pre-match, then lost Cyril Rioli with what appeared to be a left hamstring injury and Josh Gibson to a left shoulder problem in the third term, although Gibson returned to the field in the final quarter. Hawthorn has next weekend off before heading to South Australia to face Port Adelaide in round 10. With such key players as Brian Lake (calf), Sam Mitchell (hamstring) and Brad Sewell (hamstring) already on the sidelines, the Hawks' depth will be sorely tested.
4. When less really is more
A Friday night match being billed as a genuine blockbuster between two giants of the competition – not to mention Franklin's first match against his former club – drew 34,506 patrons to ANZ Stadium in Sydney's west. While the figure was below the 37,980 who came to the corresponding round 23 match in 2013, it was higher than the 32,347 for Swans-Magpies clash in round two. A National Rugby League match between Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers across town drew 16,024.
5. Don't bet on it
Prior to the opening bounce, tipsters and punters alike were scrambling after the final teams came through. Hodge was a huge out for the Hawks with hamstring tightness, joining Mitchell and Lake on the sidelines. It was all positive for the Swans, however, with Lance Franklin making it to the start line despite his knee troubles, joining Kurt Tippett in the forward line for the first time. Hawthorn were still favourites at the opening bounce, but many would have been spooked into changing their tips to the Swans, which proved a wise choice.
