1. Flag favourites
The old AFL adage 'a week is a long time in football' has seldom been truer than it was in the Harbour City between rounds two and three. A limp defeat to Port Adelaide seems a million years away for the Swans after Saturday night's impressive victory over cross-town rivals Greater Western Sydney. With their on-ball division of Isaac Heeney, Josh Kennedy Luke Parker, Callum Mills and Dan Hannebery up and about, and even Callum Sinclair floating forward to kick three majors, it looks like the Bloods will be hard to beat. Again.
WATCH: Luke Parker puts one through
FULL MATCH COVERAGE: Match highlights, stats and more
2. Coniglio domination
After having his 2017 cruelled with a syndesmosis injury, Stephen Coniglio has spent the first three rounds of this season reminding the AFL just how good he is. The Giants midfielder made Sydney Derby No.14 his own with 27 touches, including nine in contests. He also had five clearances, five tackles, four inside-50s and a goal. In the absence of Tom Scully (ankle), and with Lachie Whitfield and Brett Deledio having quiet nights, it was a big effort. Making the 24-year-old's job harder was the fact his side's No.1 ruckman was taken out of the contest after a second-quarter knee injury.
Coniglio's efforts were all the more impressive for Rory Lobb's injury. Picture: AFL Photos
3. Where was Ward?
Giants fans could have been forgiven for wondering where their skipper was in the opening term. Callan Ward usually has leather poisoning, but, opposed to Swan Dan Hannebery in the guts, he stunk it up early on Saturday night. More than 24 minutes into the first he was in danger of going stat-less – the dreaded doughnut – but eventually managed a handball. The classy midfielder worked his way into the game and finished the night with 24 touches and seven inside-50s. You can't keep a good player down.
4. Sydney straightened up
There has been plenty written about Lance Franklin's hot start to 2018, but Sydney look a lot better when Sam Reid is up forward. Reid missed the Swans first two clashes of the season after being a late withdrawal in round one due to hamstring tightness. He returned against the Giants and added another dimension to his side's structure inside 50. His two goals late in the second term helped put Sydney on top, while his side's smaller players relished the contests he created.
WATCH: Sam Reid kicks one of two against the Giants
5. Franklin v Davis
While we're on the subject of Franklin, you get the feeling these early Sydney derbies will be remembered because of the duels between the Swans spearhead and Phil Davis. In eight clashes against his side's cross-town rivals, Buddy has booted 24 goals - the most of any Giant or Swan. But he was incredibly well held by Davis, who made sure the competition's premier forward was pushed a long way up the ground when he got possessions. Franklin still found a moment of brilliance late however, slotting a long-range snap around his body to give his side a crucial steadier. He finished with two – both in the final term.
