1. Captain's knock one to remember 
When the Bombers were struggling earlier this year the leadership of their skipper Dyson Heppell came under some fierce scrutiny, but his efforts against the Giants continued a run of brilliant form. Essendon brained the home side around the contest and Heppell played a massive role in its dominance at the stoppages. The Bombers won the clearance count 55-42 and the captain had 12 of those himself – an equal game-high mark with Giant Stephen Coniglio. Add that to his 28 touches and five tackles and it was an outstanding showing.

2. Smoky Spotless on the nose
With two sides desperate for a win the pressure was already high at Spotless Stadium, and when a smoke haze drifted across the ground before half-time, conditions got even tougher for the players. There were reports that a bushfire in Sydney's west was supposedly to blame and although the smoke was clearly noticeable at the ground, especially in the lights, it didn't seem to affect the Giants or the Bombers. Fans at the ground used scarves as makeshift masks, while Coniglio's long-time goal celebration 'Mask On' – where he channels his Juventus FC hero Paulo Dybala - probably summed up the situation best. 

3. Shaw's steal shows the old Pie still has some new tricks
The Giants were 15 points down midway through the second term when Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett marked in the centre square and looked for a quick handball with his teammates streaming forward. Unfortunately for the Bombers, GWS veteran Heath Shaw read his opponent's mind and swooped. The Giant calmly lobbed a pass inside 50 to Jeremy Cameron who kicked truly, and when Stephen Coniglio nailed one from the pocket soon after the margin was back to just two points.

WATCH: Woosha's reaction to Shaw's steal

4. Ex-Giant had an eventful return to old stomping ground
Devon Smith was an original GWS player and played 109 games for the club before he went searching for more midfield time at the Bombers at the end of last season. The leading tackler in the competition heading into round 10, Smith had a quiet first term but worked his way into the action with a heavy bump that floored Zac Langdon in the second. The 25-year-old booted a crucial set shot to put his team 10 points clear in the third term, laid 13 tackles for the match, and would no doubt have loved taking the points against his old mates.

5. Key defender's howler a game-changer for the home side
The Giants were within four points early in the final quarter with the game in the balance when ex-GWS forward James Stewart marked in front of Adam Tomlinson on the junction of the 50m line and the boundary. A frustrated Tomlinson shoved the Bomber, giving away a 50m penalty and gifting the visitors a goal. The undisciplined act deflated the Giants and turned the momentum of the match. Shaun McKernan, David Zaharakis and Mark Baguley kicked three more goals in quick succession to blow the margin out to 30 points and the contest was over. The post-match conversation between coach Leon Cameron and his backman would not have been pleasant.