1. GIANTS escape late with a little Devon Smith class


They made hard work of it, but the GIANTS took a big step to a maiden finals appearance with the narrow win – and they have Devon Smith to thank. After the GIANTS struggled for two quarters to kick a goal, Smith simply took over with a stunning final term. He broke a deadlock with three classy goals in a match-winning 10-minute burst. His first came from a composed baulk and finish from 40m, his second off a step from 35m and his third from an around-the-corner set shot deep in the forward pocket. For good measure the small forward then set-up Jeremy Cameron for the sealer. Smith finished with 27 disposals, six clearances and four goals to be best on ground.

2. Ablett back to his freakish best


In his third game back from a long-term shoulder injury, Gary Ablett gave us a bit of everything. He had 30 disposals, 10 clearances, three goals and a career-high 17 tackles, but that only told half the story. His second quarter goal was one for the highlight reel. He closed quickly to smother Nick Haynes out of nowhere, gathered and then dribbled the ball home from deep in the right forward pocket to remind everyone of just how good he is. The 17 tackles easily eclipsed his previous best of 14 against Fremantle in 2011. Special mention for the Suns has to go to first-year player Touk Miller who was best afield and played his best game in a super first season, finishing with 27 disposals (including a game-high 18 contested), nine clearances, three goal assists and two goals.



3. Wasteful GIANTS almost kick themselves out of it


The GIANTS tried really hard to lose this one. After holding a narrow five-point lead at half-time they dominated play in the third quarter with little to show. Seventeen inside 50s to six for the quarter for a grand total of 1.6 to 1.0 kept the Suns in it. Jeremy Cameron was the primary culprit, kicking 2.4, but he wasn't alone. It wasn't all easy set shot misses from the GIANTS, but both their entries and nous around goal came within an ace of costing them four premiership points. Leon Cameron's men have a little to work on ahead of next Saturday's home match against Geelong.



4. Suns' Smith makes the most of Nicholls' misfortune


Zac Smith was recalled for his first senior match since round seven and made the most of every moment. Fellow ruckman Tom Nicholls was taken off at quarter-time with a leg injury, leaving Smith as the lone ruckman against GIANTS pair Tom Downie and Rory Lobb. Out of contract at season's end, Smith looked like a man determined to win a new deal. He finished with 15 disposals, 37 hit-outs and a goal to be one of his team's best.

5. GIANT strides ahead in depth


If premierships are won on depth, GWS has a leg-up on Gold Coast. The GIANTS smashed their expansion counterparts by 130 points in the NEAFL curtain-raiser. The talent they had running around in the reserves was staggering. Jon Patton kicked seven goals and fellow first-round picks like Will Hoskin-Elliott, Paul Ahern, Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett and Lachie Plowman still can't get a senior game. Conversely the injury-devastated Suns lined up with just nine listed players and struggled with any continuity.