1. Ugly footy but Swans get the job done
It wasn't pretty, but in the end the Swans left Brisbane with the four premiership points and safely locked in the top four. With matches against Hawthorn (at ANZ Stadium next Saturday) and West Coast (away) in the next fortnight, they will have to improve dramatically though. They were lacklustre in the first quarter and lucky to be within seven points. They then withstood a third quarter barrage to regain the lead and eventually ease away to victory. It was anything but convincing though, with indifferent intensity and a struggle to outwork the Lions at the contest. John Longmire has plenty to work on.

Click here for full match coverage and stats

2. Quiet night, but Buddy steps up when it counts
Coming off a one-match suspension, Swans superstar forward Lance Franklin owed his teammates a good game. For most of the night he did five-eighths of nothing as returning Lions full-back Daniel Merrett had his number. But in one short burst, Franklin changed it all. He outmuscled Daniel Merrett and then Justin Clarke for two late third term goals that gave the Swans the lead. Then in the opening minute of the last term, he roved a pack and grubbered one with his left foot to give his team some breathing space.

3. Lions brave again, but not good enough
For the third week in succession, the Lions competed with a finals contender before falling short. They led Adelaide at three-quarter time and trailed Fremantle by just three points at the final change before running out of legs. Against the Swans it was a similar story, with a stirring four-goal burst in the third term giving them an unlikely lead. Franklin's brace of goals late in the term had them trailing by seven at the last change, and despite trying until the end, they fell short again. The effort was there, but again the execution wasn't, as they stay rooted to 18th position.

4. Crowd no Goodes for booing Adam
It now seems to be a sport as much as anything sinister, but the Gabba crowd were not missing their chance to boo Swans champion Adam Goodes. The dual Brownlow medallist had a relatively quiet night with 17 disposals, but the 16,936 fans booed from his very first touch. No matter where he plays or how much longer he plays for, the 35-year-old seems destined to cop it for the remainder of his career – whether it's deserved or not.

5. Hanley shines in his milestone game
Playing his 100th game, Pearce Hanley again showed why he's arguably the Lions' most crucial player. The silky Irishman had 13 disposals in the first quarter and ended up with 33 for the game in another polished performance. He was part of the Lions' best midfield for the season, teaming up with Dayne Beams and Tom Rockliff for the first time. Beams had 32 disposals and captain Rockliff – returning from broken ribs – finished with 27 and 11 tackles. The trio could cause headaches for opponents in the remaining eight weeks if they get some continuity together.