1. Umpire, you cannot be serious
The game was 28 minutes into the second quarter and Carlton was still yet to kick a goal, stuck on five behinds in the dreadful conditions. Then came a call from umpire Robert Findlay he would surely like to have back. Nick Malceski had possession right on his goal line and attempted to evade Josh Bootsma, who pushed him over the line. Findlay decided it was a deliberate behind, penalising the Swans defender and gifting the young Blue a goal. Swans coach John Longmire's stunned reaction said it all in a moment that is sure to be discussed at length in the coming days. Coaches often insist they failed to see controversial incidents in games, but not Longmire. "I saw it. Absolutely I saw it. I saw it about three times," he said. "I watch a fair bit of footy and haven't seen too many of those paid this year. In the conditions, I was a little bit surprised." Mick Malthouse, on the other hand, did not see the incident.
2. Yarran’s immediate impact
Carlton's substitute Chris Yarran came on for his first stint of AFL action since his much-discussed performance against Essendon at the 16-minute mark of the third term, when he handed the red vest to Simon White. Despite having played little footy in recent weeks – Yarran was dropped after a display of petulance when he was made the substitute against the Bombers – the 22-year-old looked sharp, with some strong work leading to a goal to Bryce Gibbs in the third term. He finished with five touches and seven tackles.
3. Tippett settles in
While the teeming rain caused all players to lose their footing, drop chest marks and shank kicks in all directions, there were also moments of skill. In his first outing at the SCG for his new club, Kurt Tippett provided several of those. In the first term, the 26-year-old showed great strength to outmark Michael Jamison and goal. Then in the second term, the former Crow gathered the bouncing footy inside 50, somehow sidestepped two Blues and then hooked his right-foot snap from 45 metres out straight over the goal umpire's hat.
4. Matter-of-fact Marty
Chronic hip issues forced reliable Swans defender Marty Mattner to retire earlier this season. The 30-year-old played 222 career games, including 124 for the Swans after moving from the Adelaide Crows at the end of 2007. Torrential rain meant Mattner casually walked the boundary line with an umbrella for his lap of honour prior to the opening bounce, rather than in the back of a vehicle. It was a fitting end for the affable premiership player.
5. Richards makes a cameo
Xavier Richards became the 32nd player Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has used so far in 2013. The 20-year-old was a very late inclusion to the side after Mitch Morton hurt his quad in the pre-game warm-up and was a late withdrawal from the side. Named as the substitute, it was a brief debut for Richards, as he came on at the 19-minute mark of the final term, replacing Jesse White.
