1. No wooden spoon for the Brisbane Lions
In 2015, the Lions avoided the wooden spoon after upsetting the Western Bulldogs in the final round. They accomplished the feat again this season, this time by limiting their losing margin to 58 points. The Lions tried hard against the Saints but just were not good enough to match it with a mid-table team. If Justin Leppitsch is sacked, a different coach may be able to improve the side, but that person will need the buy-in from the more experienced Lions who are expected to be leaders.

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2. No signs of Nick Riewoldt slowing down
He might be handing over the captaincy for next season but his football is close to what it was at his peak. In the second quarter, he racked up an incredible 11 marks, along with 12 disposals and 3.1. It was an awesome performance from the skipper, and he finished with a career-high 21 marks, an equal career-high nine goals, 26 disposals and the second-highest AFL Fantasy score since 2000, with 200 points. Saints fans even started a 'Riewoldt' chant after he booted his ninth. A missed set shot from close to the boundary meant he did not crack the elusive 10-goal barrier, but it was nevertheless a glorious day for Riewoldt.

3. Some fun for the end of Daniel Merrett's career
The prominence of Riewoldt meant Merrett was moved in to attack in the second half, in the defender's 200th and final game. His chance arrived quickly. He took a big mark over Sam Fisher in front of the Lions cheer squad, much to the delight of the crowd. The 31-year-old converted the set shot and every teammate on the ground ran to congratulate him. He would applaud to the cheer squad to show his appreciation for the Lions fans. It was otherwise a tough day for Merrett, who had to spend plenty of time on a dominant Riewoldt.

4. Consecutive 50m penalties a sign of the times at the Lions
Sam Gilbert had the ball in defence for the Saints in the third quarter. Ben Keays conceded a 50m penalty by coming into the protected zone to send Gilbert into the midfield, before Liam Dawson made the same mistake. Those lapses summed up the Brisbane Lions' year – silly errors from inexperienced players that needlessly cost the team. If there is indeed a new coach next year, that person may consider bringing in more experienced players who have strong leadership to help lead the younger brigade.

5. Brandon White shows his potential
White was described by Sean Dempster as a "no-nonsense" defender, and that was apparent early in the game, when he took a strong mark in the first quarter. The man drafted at No.40 last year was reasonably happy with himself when he kicked a goal from just inside the 50m arc to show off a left boot that can be relied upon, and his teammates were equally as excited for him. With Jake Carlisle due back next season and Hugh Goddard hoping to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon in time to play football in 2017, the Saints have some promising talent in their backline.