1. The Brisbane Lions win a match
Yes, you read that correctly – the Brisbane Lions defeated Carlton to win their third game for the season. The Lions kicked seven goals in the first quarter, topping their entire score (39) from last week's thumping against Adelaide. It was also their highest opening quarter since round 18, 2014. They kept the pressure on in the second quarter, adding another five goals, before fading in the second half. Tom Rockliff, Dayne Zorko and Pearce Hanley drove the opening-half onslaught, with Michael Close providing a good target in the forward line. While a four-point win over fellow strugglers Carlton won't take the pressure off coach Justin Leppitsch, it will be a much happier week in Brisbane.

Full match coverage and stats

2. Nine straight losses for the Blues
The young Blues have been inconsistent throughout the year, winning four games in a row before fading for nine straight losses. In the first half of the match, it looked like they had brought last week's 71-point losing form against the Saints with them from Melbourne. The Blues were flat, letting the Lions run at will with little movement of their own. A quarter-time spray from the usually composed Brendon Bolton failed to spark Carlton, although they came out with renewed vigour after half-time. The Blues came awfully close to running over the top of the tiring Lions, but had left themselves too much to do.

WATCH: The last two minutes

3. The Magnificent Zorko
Dayne Zorko has had a below-average few weeks by his lofty standards, but his first half against the Blues was nothing short of outstanding. He had 19 disposals and kicked three goals by half-time, and was clearly the best player on the ground. When he slowed in the second half, it was no coincidence the Lions did too. Zorko (27 disposals) was ably supported by captain Tom Rockliff (a casual 39 disposals, 12 tackles and two goals) and Mitch Robinson, who took a game-saving mark against his old club in the final minute.

WATCH: Dayne dazzles in thriller

4. The Lions' Close call
Before his four-goal game against Carlton, it could be said Michael Close was best known for tearing his ACL on the artificial turf at Etihad Stadium last year. But against an undersized Sam Rowe, and playing just his second game for the year, Close was excellent. He was a constant target for the Lions midfielders, making contests and bringing the ball to ground. The 22-year-old kicked the first goal of the fourth quarter after Carlton had dominated the third, and appears to be yet another promising young key forward on the Lions' list.

5. Levi scores, but who else is there?
Carlton's scoring woes have been an issue all year, but Levi Casboult played very well against a slow Daniel Merrett, kicking four goals and two behinds. He did miss an important shot right on the three-quarter time siren, but slotted one from directly in front in the first quarter – not always a given for Casboult. Questions remain about the Blues' scoring power – Liam Jones marked well, but missed two gettable goals, and the resting ruckman combination of Phillips and Kreuzer was ineffectual. Jack Silvagni was lively with three goals, but at 18 cannot be expected to shoulder the scoring load every week. The Blues' accuracy was also an issue, kicking 12 points in the second half in a match they could have easily won.