2. Etihad Stadium is the venue of choice for Melbourne's annual Royal Children's Hospital, and the Bombers got their telethon on during the night to raise funds for their new Melbourne Airport facility. Manning the phones was former premiership stars Scott Lucas, Chris Heffernan, Terry Daniher and Tim Watson, while Australian rocker (and Essendon fan) Brian Mannix was also there. Oddly, during the game, a Bombers fan phoned in and asked to speak to James Hird.
3. After four fruitless seasons at Adelaide, where he played just 14 games, Tony Armstrong requested a trade to the Swans at the end of 2011. Against the Bombers, Armstrong proved why the Swans were so keen to get him. In the first quarter alone the classy defender gathered 12 touches, and his pace, rebound and creativity was evident throughout the night in the Swans' back half. He finished with 24 disposals and showed signs he'll become a top-line player like the Swans hope.
4. Kieren Jack might not have quite been best on ground in his 100th game, but the 24-year-old made two pivotal plays in the third quarter. After repelling several Essendon forays early in the term, the Swans streamed forward and Jack had possession. With only teammate Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Bombers defender Cale Hooker ahead of him, Jack checked his kick to find Roberts-Thomson in space, who converted the shot at goal. Later in the term, Jack fought for the ball deep in attack and squeezed a handball to Lewis Jetta, who kicked the ball and extended the Swans lead to 43 points when Essendon was building momentum.
5. Where was Essendon for the first three quarters? The Bombers couldn't have looked any more flat and trailed by 47 points at the last change. But then things started to click and they played the type of football that was regular at the start of the year. They kicked eight goals in a hurry - and nine for the term - and all of a sudden appeared set to run over the top of the Swans in a famous comeback. Alwyn Davey was the spark, kicking two goals early in the last quarter and giving his side some hope. In the end, it came down to the final seconds. About 55 metres from goal, defender Courtenay Dempsey took a mark but played on as the siren rang.
