1. After a competitive first half it was a familiar tale after the long break when the Eagles simply could not maintain the intensity and skill of a quality opponent. When the tide turned it was a tsunami as the Bulldogs imposed their will on the contest and kicked 15 goals to four. It started with two quick goals to lively small forward Cody Weightman in the opening minutes of the third quarter and then became a procession.

2. The issues started around the contest with the Eagles down 10 clearances and 28 in contested possessions as the class and depth of the Western Bulldogs midfield took control. That lead to the familiar situation with a lopsided inside 50 count that favoured the Bulldogs 68-37. With an imbalance of that nature the defence was never going to hold up and most of the Dogs joined the party with 16 players scoring goals.

3. Despite the flood of the ball entering the Eagles defensive half, key defender Tom Barrass did a great job opposed to Dogs high flier Aaron Naughton. They had an absorbing battle and while Naughton finished with four goals, Barrass was among his team’s best. He could have provided loyal fans with a rare highlight when he looked poised for a mark of the year contender when sitting on the shoulders of Naughton in the final term, but the ball was knocked from his grasp.

4. The performances of young defenders Harry Edwards and Brady Hough were among the positives, with both producing encouraging efforts. Edwards took four intercept marks and spoiled the ball with authority after he was heaped with added responsibility when vice-captain Jeremy McGovern was subbed out with a back injury. Hough had 23 possessions and provided strong rebound in his return to the senior team.

5. Star midfielder Tim Kelly and key forward Jack Darling were clearly the Eagles best. Kelly had 38 possessions, 19 of them contested, and racked up 11 clearances in a quality display. He capped off his game with a brilliant dribbling goal in the third quarter. Darling produced his best performance of the year, marking strongly and kicking four goals from the limited opportunities in the forward half.