1. Bugg's big blunder
It's going to be a long weekend for Melbourne's Tomas Bugg, who looks set for a substantial holiday after a crude early hit on Sydney's Callum Mills. In an incident that will likely see the 24-year-old sent straight to Tuesday's Tribunal, Bugg floored Mills four minutes into the first quarter with a sharp left-handed jab to the jaw. The incident happened behind play on the Swans' forward flank after the two engaged in early push-and-shove, and saw Mills dazed and confused before he failed a concussion test that ruled him out of the game by red time of the opening stanza. Bugg was clearly rattled and had just six disposals for the night after playing out the first quarter with a torn jumper when the Swans set upon him. Melbourne captain Nathan Jones told Channel 7 at half-time his teammate would have been "livid" and "very remorseful", but conceded it was a "terrible look for the game" following a week where Richmond's Bachar Houli's behind-the-play hit on Jed Lamb cost the defender four games out after the AFL appealed his original two-week ban. The Swans could also have Match Review Panel concerns with a Zak Jones shoulder to Mitch Hannan's face in the last quarter sure to be looked at.
2. Kennedy a key cog, Swans keep on coming
They kicked horribly and had 20 to five scoring shots in the first half to lead by just 20 points, but the Swans still managed to get it done. Their 35-point win slots them into the eight for the opening part of round 15 and leave them well in touch with the current contenders. They've now won seven of their past eight games after all and sundry wrote them off following six-straight losses to start the season. Consistent contributions will be what holds their form over the last two months of the season, and they can look no further than Josh Kennedy for that – the captain had 28 disposals. He has now played 66 consecutive games with 20 or more, which is the longest streak in history. There's no doubting the Swans aren't quite back to their best, but indications are that's not far away. We'll know more in the coming weeks with half of their remaining eight games against current top-eight sides (Greater Western Sydney, St Kilda, Geelong and Adelaide).
3. A bridge too far for the Demons
Melbourne came off its third consecutive six-day break, plus a trip to Perth, and its list of injured players grew during the week with Jeff Garlett and Christian Salem joining Nathan Jones, Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts on the sidelines. To make matters worse, Jack Viney – who was their inspiration last week against West Coast – didn't play after half time due to a serious foot injury. Despite losing Mills in the opening minutes, it always felt like the Swans just had to weather the storm before the Demons grew tired, and despite a brief purple patch early in the fourth quarter, that's exactly what happened. Going into Friday night, the Dees were looking for five wins in a row for the first time since 2006; now, they'll be counting the cost of their sixth loss for the season with more forced changes with Bugg set to be suspended and Viney almost certain to miss next Sunday's clash with Carlton.
4. Buddy just loves the MCG
It's a ground that holds no fear for Lance Franklin and he was one of the Swans' best, not only as their leading goal-kicker with 4.3 and a much better conversion rate than last week when he contributed 0.6, but also in bringing his teammates into the contest. Franklin ended with 19 possessions, 11 marks and eight inside 50s, but was also part of a huge 12 scoring involvements. It was the sort of game that will boost his confidence after a sapping match against Essendon, which is timely with the Swans now firmly in the finals mix.
5. There's life in the old legs yet
Swans veteran Jarrad McVeigh returned for his third senior game of the season after a managed return from a hamstring injury in the NEAFL last week, and added a degree of composure and silk to their half back line. The 32-year-old was neat with his disposal out of defence, with 11 to half time and 24 at the final siren. He moved the ball cleanly with an efficiency rating of 79.2 per cent and also took 10 marks, and showed there's definitely still a place for him at senior level as the Swans continue to time their run to September.
