1. Rising Suns find it tough
Missing injured midfield stars Dion Prestia, Michael Rischitelli and skipper Gary Ablett, it gave Suns coach Rodney Eade the chance to showcase their up-and-coming ball winners. Matched against one the AFL's best on-ball divisions, youngsters Touk Miller (23 disposals), Jesse Lonergan (12), Jack Martin (17) and Mitch Hallahan (16) had a tough night against the imposing Dogs midfield.

Full match coverage and stats

2. Smith's mixed bag
After coming back from three knee reconstructions in as many years, you'd think young Bulldog Clay Smith would be due for some luck. But in his third game back from the latest mishap, the tough-as-teak midfielder hit the post three times and had a great running goal disallowed after running too far. However, in a very encouraging performance for the finals-bound club, the 23-year-old finished with 17 disposals and 3.4.

3. Lynch firms for All Australian honours
Pitted against the League's stingiest defence, Suns key forward Tom Lynch continued his stellar 2016 campaign. With the Dogs employing their renowned team defence, the 23-year-old was a constant menace and continually found himself in space or with a mismatch. Filling in for Gary Ablett as skipper, Lynch finished with 14 disposals, 11 marks and 3.2.

4. Boyd's team-lifting bomb
After his club-imposed suspension was finally lifted, Tom Boyd had minimal impact in the first half, collecting just five disposals, but within two minutes of the restart he bombed a set-shot goal from outside 50. In a strong show of support, every Bulldog ran to congratulate the 20-year-old. While not having the presence the Dogs were looking for, the big-money recruit will be better for the run and finished with 11 disposals, eight hit-outs and 1.1.

5. Dogs finally pick up the goal scoring scent
Sitting 10th for scoring going into the game, kicking big scores had been a problem for Luke Beveridge's men. However, for only the second time in eight games the Dogs reached the three-figure mark. They also kicked their highest half-time score of the year with 11.9. The second-placed Dogs needed to boost their modest percentage against the under-strength Suns and it now sits at 121.5.