1. It was ugly, but the Swans finally won a tight one
Much has been made of three single-figure losses to Richmond, the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn this season, and while Saturday's win wasn't one for the highlight reel, and it came against a lower-ranked side, at least the home side got the points. Carlton threw everything at the Swans in the final term, especially in the last few minutes, but they held on. It was the third straight game at the SCG where the final margin was a goal or less but the six-point win has to give the home side some confidence, or maybe relief, going forward for the rest of 2016.
2. Has Ted Richards played his last senior game?
The 33-year-old was dropped to the NEAFL this week after playing as a forward over the past fortnight, and was replaced by younger brother Xavier, who impressed as support for Lance Franklin inside 50. Richards battled calf problems in the pre-season, then just when he started to play some good footy earlier this year, copped a broken cheekbone and a bad bout of concussion. After being such a reliable key defender over the years, youngster Aliir Aliir is now the Swans' preferred tall option alongside Heath Grundy, and there doesn't seem to be a spot in the Swans' side for the 261-game veteran. Richards played well in the reserves before the main game so coach John Longmire has a handy back-up if need be, but with Grundy, Aliir and Dane Rampe all in good form, and Jeremy Laidler also in the mix when he returns from a hamstring strain, it's hard to see the 2012 premiership star getting back.
3. The Blues are one quality midfielder short
Carlton's onballers took it right up to the Swans' star-studded midfield brigade, but in the end the visitors didn't have enough support for their guns Patrick Cripps and Bryce Gibbs. The Blues duo were outstanding and shared 63 possessions, 37 of those contested, laid 24 tackles, and won 18 clearances, but the Swans had Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Tom Mitchell and Dan Hannebery to rely and that depth proved too much to counter. Ed Curnow tried hard again and loves the contest, but list manager Stephen Silvagni needs to target a gun midfielder in this year's trade and free agency period. Hawthorn's interest in Mitchell of late is well known, but the Blues should throw everything they have at the son of Barry.
4. What was in Heeney and Rohan's water at half-time?
Two of the Swans' most important medium-sized forwards were virtually unsighted in the first half when the plucky Blues scrapped their way to an eight-point lead, but whatever Longmire said to the pair at the main break clearly worked. Heeney helped himself to 10 possessions, four inside 50s in the third quarter, while Rohan laid five tackles and set up Franklin's fourth goal when he crunched Sam Kerridge, won the footy, and found Buddy deep inside 50. The Swans booted the first four goals of the game after half-time and while Heeney and Rohan didn't hit the scoreboard, they were vital to their team's turnaround.
5. Clearance king and his protégé
Star Swan Josh Kennedy is widely renowned as just about the best contested footy midfielder in the competition, but Carlton youngster Patrick Cripps looks ready to challenge him for the title. The pair of hard nuts put on one hell of a show at the SCG in a stunning display of inside footy. Kennedy 23 contested possessions – the 31st time in his career he's had over 20 contested disposals in a game – 12 clearances and six tackles for the day, while Cripps racked up 22, 11 and 13. Their work might not grab the headlines but is so important to both the Swans and the Blues, and was a pleasure to watch.
