1. Port's first half was an embarrassment
The Power gave themselves zero chance of causing an upset with their non-existent structure and bizarre tactics. Big forwards Charlie Dixon, John Butcher and Justin Westhoff all started inside 50 for the visitors, but spent most of the first half backward of centre, leaving Port with no options to kick to when moving the ball out of defence, and therefore very little opportunities to score. The home side dominated the inside 50 count 22-4 in the first term when they kicked 6.5 (41) to nothing, the Power's first ever scoreless opening quarter. Dixon had one touch – a handball - by half-time, with star midfielder Robbie Gray finally booting Port's first goal midway through the second quarter. They finished the half trailing by 49 points, well down in the inside 50s (41-13), contested possessions (102-72) and clearances (26-18), and the game was over.
2. Heeney's mini break has worked wonders
The young star battled knee tendinitis through the pre-season and has continued to be managed throughout the year, so the Swans gave him a break in round 16 and 17 to recharge the batteries. The 20-year-old's form has been patchy before that time but he's returned in electric touch, and fresh off last week's four-goal performance against Fremantle in Perth, Heeney torched Port Adelaide with a fantastic game across half forward. He had 25 possessions, 16 of those contested, kicked two goals and dragged in four contested marks, more than any other player on the ground. Heeney's defensive work was also impressive and he finished with five tackles. His second season hasn't been a standout by any means, but Heeney looks set to be an important player for the Swans in this year's finals.
WATCH: Heeney takes charge in Power outing
3. Swans hassle The Hoff
Justin Westhoff has been a valuable player for the Power in a variety of roles throughout his career but he won't want to watch a replay of his milestone game anytime soon. The versatile big man took a while to get into the match – like most of his teammates – but was by no means his team's worst player as a forward, in the ruck, and at times as a wingman at the SCG. He gathered 17 possessions and took eight marks against the Swans' side that was dominant from the opening bounce. Westhoff has often been thrown around the ground to wherever his coach needed him to plug a gap and his 200th game was no exception, and as a loyal clubman, he deserved a more committed effort than his team produced.
4. Rohan winged
Speedy Swans forward Gary Rohan looked done early in the game when he copped a knee to the hip in a marking contest, but despite a couple of trips to the bench and one to the rooms, he played out the match. Although Rohan was running with a noticeable limp he still managed to kick two goals, but should have had three. After getting a handball over the top from Dan Hannebery, Rohan had no opposition player between him and the goals, and while the 25-year-old would normally switch on the afterburners and sprint in for an easy goal, the injury meant he hobbled for 20 metres then shanked the footy out of bounds from dead in front. It was a strange sight to see a player stay out on the ground while clearly battling an injury, especially with the Swans in control of the match.
The Rohan snap #AFLSwansPower #ohwhatafeeling https://t.co/E3c9kjveO4
— AFL (@AFL) August 6, 2016
5. Swans wingers happy to stay at home
Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh and Dan Hannebery started as the Swans' wingers against Port, with Hannebery taking up residence on the broadcast side of the ground, while McVeigh went to the outer side. Things went so well for the home side that both men stayed on their wings for the entire match. Port midfielder Brad Ebert had the job of tagging Hannebery until half-time but the Power abandoned that plan when the Swans star had 17 possessions and four clearances in the first half. The tactic worked for the home side with Hannebery finishing the day with 36 touches, eight inside 50s and a goal, while McVeigh was also outstanding with 27 possessions and eight inside 50s of his own.
What a goal Dane Rampe! The Swan wanted it more than anyone else #AFLSwansPower #ohwhatafeeling https://t.co/NddHuS9KkC
— AFL (@AFL) August 6, 2016