1. Sickening head clash rattles Weitering and Hurley
Blues young gun Jacob Weitering had every reason to feel good about himself pre-match, with the curtain-raiser – the NAB AFL Academy's 20th anniversary tribute game – featuring under-18 teams named after him and Essendon's Joe Daniher. Weitering wasn't feeling so well after a sickening head clash midway through the second term, however. He led opponent Michael Hurley to the ball at half-forward when oncoming Bomber Patrick Ambrose bumped Weitering, whose head catapulted into Hurley's face. Hurley was down momentarily before shaking off the blow but Weitering remained face down for some time before leaving the field with a cut head and a lump over his right eye. When the youngster returned in the third term with a bandaged head, Hurley gave him a respectful pat – a heart-warming gesture in a fierce battle between bitter rivals.

Full match coverage and stats

2. Murphy's stroke of genius
In conditions that weren't conducive to great displays of skill, Blues skipper Marc Murphy produced an act of sheer wizardry. Murphy's moment came midway through the third term with his team a point in front, when he received a handball from Bryce Gibbs on the boundary at the Punt Road end. To that point, the Blues had kicked just four goals from 15 attempts, but rather than centreing the ball as most of us expected, Murphy unleashed a perfect banana kick that sailed over the goal umpire's head – no mean feat with a heavy ball in teeming rain. The effort – Murphy's second major, having dribbled a goal in the second term – was the highlight of another quality performance from the 29-year-old, who collected 32 possessions (including 23 kicks) and laid 10 tackles.

WATCH: Gritty Murphy shows his mettle

3. Battered Blues pair soldier on
Carlton caused a double surprise by naming Patrick Cripps (fractured jaw) and Sam Rowe (concussion) just a week after both were dropped by damaging left hands from subsequently suspended Demon duo Jordan Lewis and Jesse Hogan respectively. Admirably, both wounded Blues performed their usual roles in a high-collision clash in heavy conditions, seemingly without any ill effects. The brilliant Cripps nailed the first goal of the match, kicking truly on the run after receiving a handball from impressive draftee Samo Petrevski-Seton.

4. Leuenberger solves Dons' ruck riddle … sort of
A week ago, the Brisbane Lions obliterated the Bombers in the ruck, so they welcomed back ex-Lion Matthew Leuenberger with open arms. In his first game of the season after overcoming a hamstring injury, Leuenberger took the honours against Matthew Kreuzer and generally got the ball going the Dons' way as he amassed 46 hit-outs (the fourth-best tally of his career) to give his team a 52-41 advantage in that department. However, the Bombers didn't capitalise on his dominance, losing the clearances 37-46. Perhaps mobile big man Shaun McKernan – who made way for Leuenberger – mightn't have been a bad option after all.

5. Blues debutant Williamson impresses
Carlton first-gamer Tom Williamson thrived in a tough initiation, collecting 15 disposals in a composed performance across half-back. The lean left-footer adapted well to the tempo and physicality of the game and his decision-making and neat disposal would have brought knowing nods from Blues fans. The 18-year-old former North Ballarat runner – the No.61 pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft – was Carlton's fourth debutant this season, following Petrevski-Seton, Harrison Macreadie and Jarrod Pickett. Meanwhile, Rhys Palmer became the latest Giant to play for the Blues. A late inclusion for Charlie Curnow (quad), Palmer went off early with a bloodied nose after copping friendly fire from Dale Thomas, returning later but making little impact in a slogging affair.