In a sad end to the opening match of Indigenous Round, Adam Goodes was allegedly racially vilified by a young female Collingwood supporter late in the fourth quarter. Goodes was best afield, winning 30 possessions and booting three goals in a masterful performance, but he was left disappointed and upset following the match. Collingwood president Eddie McGuire was immediately in the Swans' rooms to shake Goodes' hand and apologise, and he said his club was "just absolutely devastated that someone would say something like that". Swans coach John Longmire stressed Goodes' significant performance should be acknowledged, saying: "He's a leader in his community and he's a powerful figure … the way he drove himself tonight was pretty special".
2. Late arrival, fast start
The bus driver who was late to pick up the Swans on Friday night may be getting a call-up if the club returns to the home of football in September, with his tardy service prompting some of the best football the Swans have played this season. The Swans bus broke down on its way to pick up the players on Friday evening, with some travelling to the MCG by tram and taxi. The team was assembled for its pre-game routine no more than 10 minutes later than planned, and the start they produced was exhilarating. The Swans played 'slingshot' football, launching fast breaks off half-back to build a 29-point lead at half time.
3. Lukewarm Pies
When the shine eventually rubbed off the Magpies’ win over Geelong last Saturday night, the team was left to ponder a lapse in the third quarter that saw them concede eight goals to the Cats. On Friday night it was the second quarter that started the rot, the Swans kicking 3.4 to the Magpies' 0.2. Both sides went inside 50 11 times for the term, but Collingwood's forward line was non-existent, with Travis Cloke and Quinten Lynch touching the ball once each. It was Collingwood’s first goalless quarter of the season.
4. Dane's dirty night
Not only did Dane Swan have just eight disposals in a first half he would rather forget, all were ineffective. It was a rare poor game for the Brownlow medallist, who finished with 23 possessions and did little damage from the midfield, pushing into defence at times through the match. With Dayne Beams and Dale Thomas sidelined, the Magpies’ midfield depth was exposed. Luke Ball and Scott Pendlebury recorded an equal team-high 28 possessions.
5. Reid concerns
Early speculation suggests Swans key forward Sam Reid could be sidelined for the next three to four weeks with a left quad injury. The athletic big man was substituted in the third quarter and had lengthy discussions with club medical staff after having his injured leg worked on. It was another quiet night for Reid, who has kicked seven goals from nine games this season. Opposed to brother Ben, he kicked one goal, from a mark and set shot, early in the third quarter before injury struck.
