2. West Coast coach Adam Simpson has talked about the need for multiple goal-kickers, suggesting the opposition finds it more difficult to close down a multi-faceted attack. Again the Eagles were well-served with a spread of goal-kickers - in all 10 players hit the scoreboard with 100-game hero Josh Kennedy leading the charge with four goals.
3. One man's pain is another's opportunity. Star rebounding defender Shannon Hurn was hurt early in the game and after trying valiantly to play on was ruled out by the medical team after assessing a medial ligament strain in his right knee. So Hurn was subbed out and Brad Sheppard shed the green vest. Sheppard had 17 possessions in his three quarter cameo, used the ball well and continued to build on a great pre-season.
4. It's a strong belief of travelling teams that they need to get away to a good start and the Eagles certainly achieved that, winning the ball out of the middle at the first six bounces. It equated to six goals and when they led by 40 points at the first break, they effectively had a stranglehold on the match. They built on that lead in each term and went in to win by 93 points.
5. The running capacity of the West Coast midfield is one of its great strengths and that was again demonstrated against the Dees. Led by Luke Shuey, Matt Rosa, Andrew Gaff, Matt Priddis and Chris Masten the engine room was purring and they racked up big numbers. They also used the ball efficiently and their pressure around the contest consistently forced the opposition into error.
