What you might have missed from Round 3 of the AFL season

THEY SAID IT: “He was a pain in the arse. But full respect to him … there should be a little bit more respect shown certainly across the industry, at different times we are very quick to jump on people.” Suns coach Stuart Dew on rejuvenated Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker, who has kicked 17 goals in three games this season to lead the Coleman Medal race.

STATS THAT MATTER: Melbourne have gone 3-0 for the first time in 16 years thanks to their victory over Greater Western Sydney. Conversely, the Giants haven’t been 0-3 since 2013 – their second season in the AFL.

PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Under-fire after being down in Carlton’s opening two defeats, Patrick Cripps hit back with an outstanding 34 touches, 11 clearances and two goals in the Blues’ 45-point thumping of a disappointing Fremantle.

KEY MOMENT: A week after he was controversially denied a potentially game-winning free kick against Geelong and with Brisbane trailing Collingwood by five points, Lion Zac Bailey marked with 25 seconds left to go. With the Lions down by five points, Bailey kicked truly to snatch a one-point victory and join Ash McGrath as Brisbane players to have booted a match-winning goal after the siren.

TALKING POINT: Sydney proved their opening two victories over Brisbane and Adelaide were no fluke by destroying reigning premiers Richmond in a thrilling display at the MCG. Written off in the pre-season, the Swans’ boom youngsters have taken the competition by storm and are playing a scintillating brand of football.

TRIBUNAL WATCH: A quiet weekend on that front, but Hawthorn defender Kyle Hartigan could be in trouble for a clumsy strike on Geelong star Tom Hawkins.

KEY INJURIES: Jarrod Witts (Gold Coast, knee), Luke Shuey (West Coast, hamstring), Dion Prestia (Richmond, hamstring), Jade Gresham (St Kilda, Achilles), Zak Jones (St Kilda, ankle), Mason Redman (Essendon, hamstring), Stephen Coniglio (GWS, ankle), Phil Davis (GWS, calf), Matt de Boer (GWS, hamstring), Shaun Higgins (Geelong, hamstring)

WHAT’S NEXT: Red-hot Sydney will aim to go 4-0 when they host Essendon at the SCG on Thursday night, while Port Adelaide are at home to Richmond the following evening as both premiership contenders attempt to bounce back from disappointing defeats. Ladder-leaders Western Bulldogs will face the rejuvenated Brisbane Lions in Ballarat on Saturday.