1. Buddy turns it on in the sun
Going into the Lions clash the superstar spearhead had kicked just six goals from his past four games, but Lance Franklin relished the perfect conditions at the SCG as he destroyed the visitors. The three-time Coleman medallist booted the game's opening major and put on a show with five in the first half alone, with young defender Daniel McStay seriously out of his depth. Lions coach Chris Fagan kept the faith with his man and to his credit, McStay reduced Franklin's influence in the third quarter, until his teammate Nick Robertson gave away a free kick behind the play to the Swan, who nailed his sixth and followed it up with number seven a minute later. Buddy's eighth came on the final siren. It was a tough day of education for McStay, who looks to have a great future, and no doubt he'll take plenty from the experience of taking on one of the game's greatest forwards, even if he did cough up eight to the champ.
2. Bullied Swans take their revenge on Mitch Robinson
The Swans were heavily criticised last week when NAB AFL Rising Star winner Callum Mills was physically battered by Carlton, and vice-captain Luke Parker publicly declared that it wouldn't happen again. Against the Lions, the home side got on the front foot and went after renowned hard man Mitch Robinson, with the midfielder bumped and harassed by every Swan he ran past in the opening quarter, and it continued throughout the afternoon. Ruckman Callum Sinclair even ran into Robinson when he was limping off the ground after rolling his ankle, and fellow big man Sam Naismith got in on the action when he dropped the Lion off the ball. Mills looked like he wanted to take his own stand and was involved in plenty of scuffles, beginning at the first bounce, and could find himself in trouble with the Match Review Panel for a high shot on Jarrod Berry that cost the Swans a goal in the second quarter.
3. Captaincy or not, Rockliff thrives
It can't have been easy for the former skipper when the Lions went with Dayne Beams as their official leader, but after having his attitude and selflessness questioned in the past, Rockliff has been fantastic this season and was outstanding again in Sydney. On a day when Dayne Zorko, Daniel Rich and Lewis Taylor were well down, Rockliff – captain for the day in Dayne Beams' absence – battled against the odds and plenty of star Swans midfielders to be his side's best player by the length of the SCG. The 27-year-old had a game-high 32 possessions, 11 tackles, seven clearances, six inside 50s, and kicked two goals against the Swans in another gritty performance.
4. Zak Jones has the bite to back up his bark
There hasn't been much to cheer about in 2017 for the Swans, but the form of Jones has been a shining light. The 22-year-old has pace to burn and rarely grabs the footy without tucking it under the arm and bursting free of the opposition, and he torched the Lions with his breakaway speed on Sunday. Jones has a career-high 27 disposals, six clearances, four inside 50s, and finished off his work with a goal. Jones went as close to anyone possibly could to knocking off Franklin for best on ground honours, and would be close to leading the Swans' best and fairest after seven rounds.
5. Where is Aliir Aliir's head at?
The Swans defender was recalled for this week's match after spending two weeks in the NEAFL, but got dropped before the game when he failed to attend a training session at the SCG on Saturday. Sydney's for manager Tom Harley rightly labeled Aliir's actions as unacceptable, and given Aliir was stood down from Sunday's reserves game, he's no chance of earning himself a spot in the senior team next week. The 22-year-old looked to be a future star last season in his 13 games, but if he doesn't lift his professionalism, he'll quickly find himself on the outer at the Swans. A toe injury in the pre-season made for an interrupted start to this year, and while it's hardly a hanging offence, this indiscretion puts another stutter in his season, and more importantly, hurts the Swans and their backline.
