1. Coaches consistently espouse the need for a total team performance, for every individual to play their role within that structure. And that has been the secret to the West Coast success. It has enabled the club to cover the losses of key players throughout the year, the latest example coming against the Cats when the midfield was re-jigged because of the absence of Elliot Yeo. Scott Selwood played a full game in the middle, Brant Colledge donned the green vest and both were strong contributors – although Colledge had to wait until the last term for his chance.
Improvement no.1 goal: Simpson
2. While frustration might have reigned within the stands at Domain Stadium as West Coast was wasteful in front of goal, particularly in the first half (4.17), the creation of those scoring opportunities was exceptional. The Eagles were insatiable in their hunger for the contest, consistently created numbers around the contests and ran in waves to control the game. That domination was better reflected in the second half as West Coast bolted to a 56-point win.
3. Over the remaining weeks of the season, the Nic Naitanui mark of the year contender will get plenty of air play. And rightly so. But the West Coast big man was electric for more than just those dizzying seconds in the air. He was a pivotal performer throughout the game, gathering 17 possessions and winning 36 hit outs, to give the West Coast ground level players first use of the ball. As always his impact when the ball hit the ground was also prevalent.
4. Luke Shuey has built a reputation in the first part of his career as a game-breaker. A clean ball user, with an explosive burst of speed, he is an integral part of the midfield effort. But Shuey showed another side of his evolving game with nine tackles against the Cats. He had 24 possessions and kicked an important goal, but his tackle count was equally impressive. That defensive side of his game makes him a more rounded player and combined with the efforts of teammates like Matt Priddis, Scott Selwood and Jamie Cripps adds to the strength of the Eagles around the stoppages.
5. The evolution of the defence continues to impress. In the absence of Mitch Brown and Eric Mackenzie, the key posts have been held down by Jeremy McGovern and Will Schofield with great aplomb. But players like Sam Butler and Sharrod Wellingham have also been exceptional. They had 44 possessions between them, often rebounding out of the defensive half and generating many scoring opportuities.
