1. Open or Closed?
Whenever the roof is left open at Etihad Stadium it always creates serious debate. The contrast between shade and sun caused havoc again on Sunday. The AFL made the call to shut the roof at 11am on Sunday morning with the forecast for cloudy skies and no rain. It turned out to be sunnier than usual, but the roof cannot be moved once spectators have started to file into the ground. It is the AFL's default position to leave the roof open if there is no chance of rain. After the match, Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said the open roof hadn't been an issue for his players once the sun became less of a factor in the second half. "It definitely wasn't an issue the players were talking about. (But) aesthetically it's up to the AFL. They don't listen to us (coaches) anyway, so what's the point of even talking about it?" Bomber Joe Daniher had no such issues with the roof, saying it "was nice to have the roof open". 

2. A Bombers raid
Essendon entered Sunday's contest against the Brisbane Lions averaging the third least goals per game in the competition (10.4). The Bombers were not making the most of their inside 50s, but something clicked against the Lions on Sunday. They had 16 goals on the board by three-quarter time and it was noticeable that their forward line spacing was much improved on previous weeks. It gave Joe Daniher a distinct advantage against Justin Clarke, with the emerging Bomber booting a career-high six goals in the best performance of his fledgling career.

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3. Class with a capital 'C'
When Essendon coach James Hird was placing his magnets on his coaching board prior to the game he must have had allowed himself to break into a smile, knowing the experienced and classy trio of Adam Cooney, Paul Chapman and Jake Carlisle were all making their returns from injury. Former Bulldog Cooney, in his return from a hamstring injury, spent the majority of his time up forward and snagged three goals to go with 19 disposals. Chapman's clever forward play was also of major benefit for the Bombers, as he kicked one goal, and set up plenty of others. Equally important was the return of Carlisle, who booted three goals and rounds out the Bombers' forward structure nicely. The versatile Bomber can also slot behind the ball when the Bombers feel like they need to take the heat out of the contest, as he showed late in the third quarter.

4. Martin the best ruckman in the AFL?
There were plenty of commentators suggesting Aaron Sandilands' duel against Todd Goldstein in the west on Saturday night was the battle of the best ruckmen in the AFL. However, Lions big man Stefan Martin did plenty to suggest he at least deserves to be part of that conversation. Martin was the Lions' best against the Bombers, as he won his battle with Essendon big man Tom Bellchambers. Martin finished the contest with 17 disposals, five marks, 27 hit-outs and five inside 50s and one goal. What sets him apart is his ability to spread from the contest and link up in general play.

5. Two steps forward, one step back
It was not that long ago that there were suggestions the Brisbane Lions were the worst team in the AFL after going down to Gold Coast in their round five Q-Clash. Since that low point, the Lions beat Carlton and then accounted for premiership fancy Port Adelaide last week in impressive fashion. But the Lions met their match against Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, emphasizing the work they still need to do to be competitive on a weekly basis. The Lions still lack a key target up forward and as much as Daniel McStay competes, good sides will always outbattle him in the air as Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker showed. The Lions were also beaten by the Bombers' spread from the contest, with the Dons racking up 237 uncontested possessions to the Lions' 162.