1. Suns put up a serious fight

The question many were asking coming into this match was simply, "How much?" The two sides could not have had more contrasting seasons – the GIANTS cruising in second spot, while the Suns have struggled to field a side at times, such has been the extent of their injury list. The result seemed almost a forgone conclusion. But someone forgot to tell the Suns. They came out firing, kicking the first three goals within the opening four minutes. Jarrod Harbrow set the tone early, bursting through a seemingly too small gap between Tom Scully and Jeremy Cameron along the boundary line; leaving the two Giants colliding with each other in his wake. 

2. GIANTS do enough, but no percentage boost

The GIANTS didn't play terribly. They didn't show the form they did last week against an admittedly poor Richmond. But they got the four points, crucial in the battle for finals positions. They ground out a win against an opponent who just ran out of legs, reduced to two on the bench with injuries to Alex Sexton and Tom Nicholls. And in the lead-up to a maiden finals appearance, where matches against opponents playing with the ferocity of the Suns will be the norm, experience in forcing their way over the line is vital. In hindsight, a win in this manner could be more valuable than a percentage-boosting victory.

3. Battle of the key forwards

The forward lines of the two expansion clubs will cause defenders headaches for years to come. Both teams' spearhead forwards were influential – Jeremy Cameron kicked four goals, and would have finished with more if not for the work of the indefatigable Steven May. Tom Lynch matched Cameron's output and influence with four, while Jon Patton and Peter Wright threw their considerable size around throughout the match – although Wright's effectiveness was affected when he was forced into the ruck after Tom Nicholls' knee injury. Lynch's four goals means he's now equal-first with Lance Franklin in the battle for the Coleman Medal, with West Coast's Josh Kennedy still to play. 

4. No stars, no worries

Decimated by injuries, Gold Coast has been reduced to a mix of a second and third-string midfielders in the tail end of the season. Out were players of the calibre of Ablett, Prestia, O'Meara, Swallow, Rischitelli, McKenzie, Hall and Lonergan. In their place, the unheralded Mitch Hallahan, Jarrod Gartlett, Matt Shaw, Callum Ah Chee and Josh Schoenfeld. And the young Suns stood up against their higher-profile opponents. While they didn't win the Shane Mumford-assisted clearances, they worked harder around the ground, and caused chaos in the forward line. 

5. May in career-best form

He's been in excellent form since coming back from a five-week suspension for a crude bump on Lion Stefan Martin, and acting captain Steven May led from the front against the GIANTS. He finished with a career-high 27 disposals, 14 marks and held Jeremy Cameron to four goals – no mean feat considering the last time these two sides met, the forward finished with seven. May was a calm and steady influence in the backline, consistently intercepting the ball and setting up forward entries. If not for his earlier suspension, May could be threatening Alex Rance for All Australian honours.