Kane Cornes' career was on life support just two seasons ago, when he spent time in the SANFL under former coach Matthew Primus. But he fought back to win a fourth best and fairest in 2012 and on Sunday he broke the games record of 255 games set by former skipper Warren Tredrea. Cornes was a key contributor against the Giants and has committed to another season next year, but believes he will fall short of becoming the first Power player to chalk up 300 AFL games.

The bye has arrived for GWS and it will likely be warmly welcomed by all involved. It has been a difficult sophomore season so far, losing all 12 games to date. The Giants will now attempt to re-tool and will be hoping to mirror Gold Coast's performance late in its second year. The Suns lost their first 14 games in 2012, but responded with three wins over their final eight games before taking a significant leap forward in year three. GWS starts with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium in round 14 before hosting the Western Bulldogs in Canberra.

The crowds at GWS' home ground are a regular talking point and so it was again on Sunday. The past three games at the venue against Adelaide, West Coast and Geelong produced crowds of 5830, 6324 and 7809 respectively, at least building in the right direction. It was a fine, cool day in Sydney on Sunday but it didn't inspire many fans, with 6601 showing up for this one. It is becoming obvious some wins are needed to boost the crowd numbers.

Ken Hinkley enjoyed a charmed run to start his senior coaching career, reeling off five straight wins. Some of that work was undone, however, when the Power followed that with five consecutive defeats. A nine-point loss to the Western Bulldogs prior to Port's bye was particularly disappointing and left the early competition pacesetters in 11th on the ladder. The Power got back on track with Sunday's big win over GWS, however, ahead of next week's showdown with the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium.

Relations have not always been overly civil between the Giants and the Sydney Swans in GWS' short history and tensions were again evident this weekend. A newspaper article quoted outgoing Swans chairman Richard Colless saying Buddy Franklin would a great pick-up for the western Sydney side, but adding "there's no screaming demand for AFL in the western suburbs of Sydney". GWS president Tony Shepherd responded during Sunday's pre-match function. "It's a pity all AFL presidents past and present can't get behind us and the AFL on this expansion," Shepherd lamented.