1. Crameri a little more than 'lucky'
When Essendon coach James Hird labelled ex-Bomber Paddy Ryder's four-goal second-half "lucky" in his side's battle with Port Adelaide in round 17, there were more than a few eyebrows raised. Another ex-Bomber caused havoc on Sunday with Stewart Crameri booting a career-high seven goals. Crameri, who played 57 games for Essendon between 2010 and 2013, produced one of his finest performances in his career on Sunday. The 26-year-old was dangerous every time he went near the footy, on the ground or in the air, and his mobility fits in perfectly with fellow forwards Jake Stringer and Tory Dickson. Given Essendon's struggles in front of goal (it kicked just five goals for the match) the loss of Crameri – who requested a trade at the end of the 2013 season – was further emphasised. 

WATCH Stewart Crameri's seven-goal haul

2. Giles' inauspicious Bomber debut
Jonathan Giles had to wait far longer than expected to make his Essendon debut. The ruckman, who was traded from Greater Western Sydney in exchange for pick 53 in last year's trade period, had fallen behind Shaun McKernan in the pecking order. But Essendon's struggles in the hit-outs in recent weeks forced coach James Hird's hand and he finally gave Giles an opportunity to prove his worth. Despite the optimism surrounding the 27-year-old, he was a non-factor against the Bulldogs. The former Giant had 25 hit-outs up against the inexperienced Tom Campbell, who notched 21 for the game. 

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3. Hird's conundrum
With star defender Michael Hurley missing for the first time this season, James Hird faced a tough decision over which player to station at full-back. He decided on Jake Carlisle, who was returning from more than a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury, and kept Cale Hooker up forward. Hooker, who has averaged more than eight marks per game since making the switch into attack, continued to present to the football and finished the day with 19 disposals, eight marks and a goal. Carlisle, who looked more comfortable in defence, had 21 touches and 12 marks. Hird's preference in the past has been to play Carlisle forward, but the side looks far more balanced with the marking prowess of Hooker up forward and Carlisle, with his play-reading ability, in defence. 

Insipid Dons face axe

4. The shorter not necessarily the better
With so much debate around whether an AFL game goes for too long, the first quarter in Sunday's game between Essendon and the Western Bulldogs was a welcome surprise. The Bulldogs kicked just one goal for the quarter and the Bombers logged none as the timekeepers stopped the clock at 23 minutes and 23 seconds. According to Champion Data it was the shortest quarter since they first began taking stats in 1999. Just one of five quarters, out of nearly 13,000, have run under 24 minutes. Despite the length of the quarter, it was not the most attractive football to watch. 

5. Cooney's homecoming not one to remember
Adam Cooney brought great pleasure to Western Bulldogs fans in his 219 games for the club between 2004 and 2014. But with the Luke Beveridge regime backing in youth, Cooney's decision to join Essendon in last year's trade period seemed to be the best decision for both parties. With Lachie Hunter, Luke Dahlhaus and Mitch Wallis thriving around him, it was not one of Cooney's finest performances. The former Dog, who received the customary 'Coon' chants from his adopted Bombers supporters, finished with 19 disposals. Even though he tried hard, his ball use was quite sloppy. It was a theme that ran throughout a flat-looking Bomber team.