1. Knee injuries galore – to Heeney, Dawes and Tyson
Swans prodigy Isaac Heeney has won many admirers for the full-chested way he plays the game, and unfortunately it was during one of these fierce attacks on the ball he suffered a knee injury that could sideline him. During a marking contest on the wing late in the second term, the 19-year-old hurt the back of his right knee and was immediately replaced by Swans substitute Adam Goodes. Meanwhile, Melbourne key forward Chris Dawes (one goal) battled with a right knee issue of his own. After missing the loss to Fremantle with a calf problem, Dawes was on and off the field early with a heavily strapped knee, keeping Demons sub Jack Watts in a constant state of warm-up motion. Teammate Dom Tyson also received treatment and strapping to a left knee problem, while Swans duo Dan Hannebery and Jake Lloyd tweaked ankles.
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2. Vince to face scrutiny for frontal contact
Bernie Vince has attracted attention for his hard-edged approach to tagging this season – attention that has bemused his coach Paul Roos – and his aggression could again come under the microscope this week … from the Match Review Panel. In the second quarter, Swans midfielder Tom Mitchell arrived at the ball first and remained low, and Vince dived in with his knee and hip, making high, frontal contact. It was clumsy and perhaps a little crude but didn't seem malicious. In Vince's favour is that Mitchell took the resultant free kick and didn't appear to suffer any ill effects. No report was laid.
3. Tippett's damage Dunn early
Lynden Dunn has made a name for himself playing on bigger opponents, but the Demon defender was always going to find it tough against Swans giant Kurt Tippett, giving away 10cm and 9kg. Particularly if the Swans won the midfield battle, which they did in resounding fashion. It was a mismatch early. After 11 minutes it was one goal apiece, but the Demons didn't take the ball inside 50 for the rest of the quarter as Tippett kicked three consecutive goals in just 10 minutes to break the game open. Tippett looked set to challenge his personal-best bag of seven majors (for the Crows back in 2009), but finished with four. Tippett's forward partner Lance Franklin (goalless) didn't fare as well against the in-form Tom McDonald, who was superb in their man-on-man battles.
4. A long-term Demon by any Stretch
On a bleak night for the Demons, a bright spark was debutant Billy Stretch – the son of Steven Stretch, who played 189 games for Melbourne and Fitzroy. Just 11 minutes into the game, the pacy runner from Adelaide kicked Melbourne's first goal, smartly finding space and showing impressive composure to slot a set-shot from 40m. The 18-year-old immediately ran to the bench for a breather and was applauded by the Demon faithful. It was the Demons' only goal in the first half as they were restricted to their lowest half-time score against the Swans (1.3) in 101 years. Despite his light frame, Stretch threw himself into the fray, laying a couple of strong tackles and earning a free kick deep in defence after putting his body on the line.
5. Swans exorcise their Demons … well, sort of
The Swans returned to the MCG for first time since their devastating loss to Hawthorn in last year's Grand Final. The Demons weren't anywhere near as string an opponent, but it was critical for the Swans to reassert themselves after consecutive defeats to Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs. A comprehensive win didn't exactly erase the nightmare of that last Saturday in September, but it was certainly a purposeful step in the right direction. They did what was expected of a team of their calibre, putting the game beyond doubt by half-time.
Billy Stretch was engulfed by teammates after kicking his first goal. Picture: AFL Media
