1. Long time between Dons drinks
It has been a long time between wins for Essendon. Widely tipped to go through season 2016 winless, the Bombers defied the odds against Melbourne in round two. Seventeen losses later, they broke the drought against a lacklustre Gold Coast. Not only did the win bring an end to the longest losing streak in the club’s history, it was also the Bombers’ first win for the season at Etihad Stadium. The red and black faithful broke into a rapturous cheer at the final siren and sang the song with plenty of gusto, with the players elated after a challenging period in Essendon's history.

Full match stats and coverage
 
2. Zak attack
Essendon's David Zaharakis was left to his own devices by the Suns and by half-time was on track to eclipse his personal best tally of 34 disposals. With 24 possessions to Zaharakis at the main break, Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade was forced to make a change. Matt Shaw was the man charged with the task of shutting down the Bombers midfielder and he did superbly, restricting Zaharakis to just six touches in the third term. The tag was dropped for the final term, and the Bomber was back to his damaging best, finishing with 40 disposals, four clearances and six inside 50s. A best-on-ground performance. 
 
3. Touk's fine touch
If there has been one shining light for Gold Coast this season, it has been the rise of young midfielder Touk Miller. In the absence of skipper Gary Ablett and midfielders Dion Prestia and David Swallow, the 20-year-old has stepped up, averaging 19 disposals a game in just his second year. On Sunday he took his game to another level, the former Vic Metro captain notching career-best figures, with 39 disposals. He also had four clearances and 11 inside 50s. His previous best was 32 possessions, which came against the Swans earlier this season. He has composure and poise and is a class act, but his efforts just weren't enough to drag his side over the line.
 
4. New man in charge
On Sunday Zach Merrett became the third youngest Essendon captain in history, leading the club out for the very first time. At 20 years and 317 days old, Merrett joined Simon Madden (20 years and 231 days), and Tim Watson (20 years and 272 days) on the list of youngest acting skippers. In the absence of injured captain Brendon Goddard, Merrett stepped up and led from the front. He started strongly with 11 disposals and had doubled that total by half-time. In just his third year of AFL, he led superbly, finishing with 38 disposals and a well-deserved win in his first game in charge.
 
5. Long-awaited debut
The son of Bombers champion and 1993 Norm Smith medallist Michael Long, Jake Long, made his much-anticipated AFL debut against the Suns. The 20-year-old had the red and black faithful excited about the future early when he threaded a kick to Joe Daniher inside 50 in the second quarter. Daniher wheeled around quickly and kicked the goal. "Long to Daniher" was music to the ears of Dons fans, who will be hoping to hear that roll off the tongues of commentators for years to come. He had a couple of chances to kick his first goal, but couldn't get the job done despite a strong debut.