1. Much was made of the fact that the AFL team had 15 debutants during the season and a similar situation is unfolding with the AFLW team. Just five rounds into their season and 11 new faces have represented the club as the team continues its transition. The latest was Abbygail Bushby against Fremantle and she celebrated a memorable moment when she kicked a goal in the second quarter. The 17-year-old from Swan Districts looked completely at home at the highest level.

2. The Eagles have lost all five derbies to this stage, but there is no doubt they are bridging gap between their cross-town rivals. They led for a large portion of the game and Fremantle’s experience was a factor in the second half. When the Dockers fought their way to the lead, they did not surrender it. They were a little cleaner around stoppages and generally more composed in the big moments.

3. Captain Emma Swanson and midfield cohort Bella Lewis have been in sparkling form. Despite being closely marked Swanson led superbly with 20 possessions, four tackles and five clearances while Lewis was clearly the Eagles best with 25 possessions, four tackles and three clearances. She has found her best form in is a barometer for this team with her infectious enthusiasm and combative nature.

4. Ruck Sarah Lakay, another member of the Eagles emerging younger brigade, continues to make strong advances from week to week. She had a staggering 42 hit outs, seven possessions, three marks and five tackles in another eye-catching display. Her presence around the stoppages is invaluable for her midfielders and she also works hard defensively.

5. When the Eagles enjoyed dominance the failure to maximise the return for that control came back to bite them late in the game. The game was played almost exclusively in the Eagles front half in the first quarter and they deserved much better than one-point advantage at the first change. In the end Fremantle led the inside 50 count 35-29, but it was the Eagles who made the early running.