1. It was always going to be a tough assignment at the Gabba with half a dozen key players out and an opposition striving to launch into the top four. But the young Eagles – led by the senior players – gave it their best shot. It just wasn’t good enough. Observing the game it seemed like it was an even contest and an absorbing battle, but the numbers told the story: The Eagles lost the tackle count 48-82, ground balls 79-92, pressure factor 1.70 to 1.86 and contested possessions 141-142. But time in possession was split at 40% each and the Eagles had a 51-49% edge for time in the forward half.
2. The team’s leaders led from the front, particularly Nic Naitanui, Elliot Yeo, in his 150th game, and captain Luke Shuey. Yeo had 29 possessions, of which 17 were contested, won five clearances and gained 629 metres with the ball in his hands. Shuey had 35 touches, 17 of them contested and had 13 clearances in gaining 606 metres for his team. Naitanui was simply outstanding with 53 hit outs and 10 contested possessions. Between them they sent the ball inside 50 19 times.
3. It was a relatively young defensive group in the absence of stalwarts Shannon Hurn, Jeremy McGovern and Brad Sheppard and those younger players further exposed to senior football will benefit from further experience. Alex Witherden, playing against his former club, was eye-catching with 23 disposals at 83 percent. His kicking skills were one of the attractions in bringing him west and he used the ball well. Harry Edwards and Luke Foley also continued their growth.
4. There was seniority missing from all lines, including up forward where the club’s leading goalkicker in history, Josh Kennedy, was an absentee. But the experienced group that remained were all important. Jack Darling and Liam Ryan kicked three each while Jamie Cripps and Nathan Vardy, who gave Naitanui a chop out in the ruck, kicked two each. Cripps ignited hopes of an upset win when he kicked the first two goals in the opening 90 seconds of the last quarter, bringing the margin back to just five points.
5. The disappointment of missing finals action for the first time since 2014 stings and positives are difficult to find with the inconsistency within games and also from week to week. But the upside is the exposure to some of the younger players with draftees Isiah Winder and Luke Edwards playing their first games, albeit Winder limited to just his debut match after suffering a knee injury shortly after that game. Mid-season draft selection Connor West played a handful of games and looks to have a future.
