1. Where there's a Will, there's almost a way
Swans youngster Will Hayward continues to make a name for himself in his second AFL season. The 19-year-old provided the highlights for the home fans in a forward line missing Lance Franklin, slotting three goals. With his side behind early in the final term, Hayward went for a roost inside 50 and took the mark of the night before going back to calmly slot his subsequent set shot, almost willing his side over the line. All class.
2. Why bother with score reviews?
As far as controversial score reviews go, this was right up there. When Kangaroo Billy Hartung's quick snap in the first term sailed through the big sticks, Jarrad McVeigh immediately claimed to have got a hand on it. His protests were waved away by the umpires, who took the ball back to the middle and prepared to bounce it. Then the replay came on the big screen – clearly showing the Sydney defender getting fingers to the pill shortly after it left Hartung's boot. It raises questions as to how the automatic replay, which is examined by officials after every goal, didn't pick it up. The decision proved to be crucial in the outcome of the match with the Roos hanging on to win by two points in a thriller.
3. Higgins returns in red-hot form
Roos onballer Shaun Higgins came into the game under a cloud – but 32 touches later you wouldn't know it. Higgins missed North's loss to Port Adelaide with concussion after copping a heavy knock against Hawthorn in round five and being hospitalised. That incident happened the same day his wife, Heidi, gave birth to their daughter Rosie. Higgins, who was allowed to roam the SCG without a tagger, was at his damaging best against the Swans and used the ball at over 80 per cent disposal efficiency. He also kicked a goal.
ROOS STUN SWANS: Full match coverage and stats
4. Brown never boring
Coleman Medal leader Ben Brown had an unpredictable night for North. He hit the post with a first-quarter set shot, and slotted a goal in the second to bring his tally for the season to 24. The towering target tried to be a bit too cute in the third when lining up for a long-range effort, which was cut off by Swan Dane Rampe who was on the mark. Taking a kick from outside the boundary line later that quarter, Brown shanked it so badly it never actually entered the field of play and the end result was a boundary throw-in. Never a dull moment.
WATCH: The last two minutes
On the Wright track
After two years in injury wilderness, North defender Sam Wright is back on the field. Five separate bouts of surgery on both ankles, as well as ligament problems in his feet meant the 27-year-old's career was on the brink. Wright had several different opponents on Saturday night – 701 days since his last AFL appearance. He gathered 18 disposals and clunked seven marks, and looks to be a solid addition to what has – so far this season at least – been the AFL's most misely defence.
WATCH: Mighty Mason the Roos' match-winner
