Lance Franklin’s high contact on Clay Cameron may remove him from the Swans' side just when they need him against ladder-leading Port Adelaide next week. He caught Cameron late with a shoulder bump to the head, a similar clash to his last suspension when he struck Nick Malceski last year, causing him to miss the qualifying final between the sides. Although not at his absolute best, he shone intermittently at the Metricon kicking 3.2, including a trademark goal from the left pocket.

The dream strike force could both be missing next week at the SCG. Kurt Tippett limped off gingerly during the third quarter and was replaced at the final change after the Swans' physios worked in vain on his left knee. The Swans will hope it is not a recurrence of the tendonitis that kept him out of the finals last season and delayed his start to this campaign.

 

Taking the positives from a defeat is a mantra too often trotted out by coaches, but if the cliché ever had merit it was in this game. All over the field there were Suns performances to take heart from but it was their overall effort in the face of superb opposition play that was most encouraging. The first half scoreline hugely flattered the Swans and after Sam Reid’s quick three goals in the third quarter many teams would have been blown away. To their credit, Gold Coast fought back and stayed competitive throughout.

Rory Thompson and Steven May will have expected their toughest game of the season against Tippett and Franklin but were more than up to the task, keeping the Swans' heralded duo to one inside 50 mark apiece. Franklin’s three goals came from open play with the Swans midfield unable to find him on the lead. Similarly, even before his injury, Tippett could not shake Thompson from his side, with Trent McKenzie coming over as a spare man if ever the two needed help.

The Swans is likely to have at least one pair of boots to fill in the forward line next weekend and judging by Reid's third-quarter impact he may well get the call against the Power. Although their classy midfield had the Swans comfortably in front at half-time, the Suns' tall backs kept them in it. Enter Reid. After helping in the ruck and playing in defence early on, he went into the Swans forward 50 in the second half and immediately scored three goals. Cameron, who did a decent job on Adam Goodes in the first half, was dragged after the third for Matt Shaw, possibly due to the effect of the earlier hit from Franklin, but just as easily because of the job Reid was doing on him.