1. Sydney's Lion-taming streak continues
The Swans have now won three games in a row with their 18-point victory at the Gabba. Sydney are proving to the competition's road warriors, having won every game away from home so far this season. The Lions broke a nine-year streak when they defeated Hawthorn last week but couldn't break their similar poor record against Sydney. The Swans have won their last 10 games against Brisbane and haven't lost to the Lions since round 22, 2009, back when Michael Voss was coach and Jonathan Brown was still playing.
2. Terrific trio step up in Mills' absence
Jarrad McVeigh, Jake Lloyd and Zak Jones put in fanastic performances to suggest the Swans will be able to cover for the loss of Callum Mills for the remainder of the season. The Lions edged the inside 50 count 56 to 51, but it felt like every time Brisbane drove forward, the Swans' trio would chop them off. Lloyd finished with 26 possessions and six marks, with Jones (25 disposals and four marks) and McVeigh (22 disposals) hot on his heels.
3. Beams steps down but stands up
Dayne Beams made headlines this week when he stepped aside as Lions' captain, admitting he was struggling with the extra responsibility after the death of his father this year. While no longer the official skipper, Beams still led from the front to be Brisbane's best on ground. The tough midfielder battled hard against the Sydney midfield, racking up 38 disposals at 74 per cent efficiency and one goal. New captain Dayne Zorko also continued his improved recent form, with 21 hard-fought touches and 12 tackles.
4. Gardiner battles with Buddy
Lance Franklin booted eight goals against the Lions when they last met, but didn't look anywhere near as electric this time. Lions' young gun Harris Andrews seemed the likely choice to go against Buddy, but instead it was Darcy Gardiner who was tasked with containing the game's most destructive forward. The 22-year-old won the battle, holding Franklin goal-less and to only seven disposals at half time. Buddy scored his one and only goal in the third quarter but despite not having a big impact on the scoreboard he did have his hand in a number of score involvements.
5. Crunching hit sets up a fiery affair
You knew it was going to a be a tough affair when it started raining at the Gabba, given Sydney's reputation as a contested ball team and Brisbane's growing confidence at home. Lions hard nut Mitch Robinson relished the conditions and kick-started a fiery affair when he crunched Dan Hannebery with a massive bump in the first quarter. Hannebery shook it off to play out the game but it set the tone for several spot fires throughout the match. In the dying seconds of the match a frustrated Darcy Gardiner started a wrestle with Will Hayward to start a near all-in on the Gabba boundary.
