All eyes were on the Sydney Swans' No.23 for a variety of reasons. Lance Franklin kicked his first goal early in the opening quarter, before becoming involved in a scuffle with Demons defender Alex Georgiou off the ball. From then on, Buddy was well held by Tom McDonald, until he landed awkwardly on his right knee in a third-quarter marking contest. He was subbed out of the game, applying an ice-pack to the injured area. It was a sour homecoming for Franklin, who was setting foot on the MCG for the first time since Hawthorn's premiership win last year. It also followed a much-publicised car crash during the week.

 

Paul Roos has a distinguished history with the Sydney Swans. Roos is the longest-serving coach in the Swans' history, coaching the club 202 times and to one flag. Now at Melbourne, his objective is to guide the Demons in a similar path to the Swans. The Demons showed fight, but were ultimately outclassed. They allowed too much of the ball to the Swans' prime-movers, with Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy and Kieren Jack all having productive nights. You can bet Roos will show plenty of vision of the Swans' onballers to his players during the week – with an emphasis on work rate and intense defensive pressure.

 

It's not often a 332-game, dual Brownlow medallist starts the game in a lime green vest but that was the case for Adam Goodes, who was making his return from a lingering knee injury. The match against the Demons was his first since round 13 in June last year. Goodes became part of the most glamourous substitution in AFL history when he took the injured Franklin's place on the field. Goodes had an immediate impact setting up Ben McGlynn for his first goal after a well-weighted pass deep into the Swans' forward line. Later in the fourth term, he used all of his guile to cleverly toe-poke the ball through to an unmarked Tom Derickx in the goalsquare, who put through the Swans' ninth goal. The Swans need him up and firing if they are to make an impact in this year's finals.

 

Christian Salem was made to earn his debut for Melbourne. The No.9 pick in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft spent the first few weeks in the VFL, but forced his way into the team on the back of a stellar 32-possession game for the Casey Scorpions last week. He was made to wait a little longer after he was named as the Demons' substitute. Salem was injected into the game in the third quarter and acquitted himself well. The Demons' No.3 kicked his first goal in the AFL when he snapped truly over his left shoulder in the final term, prompting his teammates to come from everywhere to congratulate him. He is renowned for his composure under pressure and a pin-point left boot, which is sure to come to the fore with more experience at AFL level.

 

The Swans came into the game ranked No.6 in the competition for clearances. In 2013, they sat at the top of the League in this department. Winning the ball around the clinches was clearly a focus for the Swans, led superbly by Hannebery and Luke Parker. Hannebery worked overtime, playing his best game for the season, amassing 34 possessions and 13 clearances. Parker continues to evolve as a footballer, helping himself to 26 touches and four clearances. But it's his poise under pressure that stands out. Winning the ball out of the middle will be something the Swans will look to capitalise on as the season unfolds.

 

Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie