1. After a slow start to the season a sleeping giant of the competition has flexed their muscle in the last fortnight. For a period they were irresistible against the Eagles rattling on 12 goals in succession as they got on a roll. They had 19 members of their premiership team in action at Adelaide Oval and their ball movement and energy was difficult to counter.

2. The Cats won the contested possession and clearance counts and it resulted in 63 inside 50 penetrations compared to 48. With the quality of their forward structure that was always going to spell danger as the likes of Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron had a strong influence particularly when they enjoyed the momentum.

3. Given the way the Cats were controlling the game, the Eagles did well to fight back in the second half and outscore Geelong. The defence, well led by Liam Duggan and Jamaine Jones in particular, helped to minimise their scoring opportunities and also provided good offensive rebound. Evidence of the Eagles running to create came from the fact that they led the handball receive numbers by 10.

4. The Eagles also showed they had some forward half potency with Oscar Allen, Jake Waterman and Jack Darling kicking 10 goals between them. Those three players will be key pillars in both the short and long term and will only get better as they spend more time in those roles playing alongside each other. Waterman has been one of the positives from the first five rounds.

5. The growth of Bailey Williams continued against the Cats as he develops a deeper understanding of the ruck role. Recruited as a key forward who could provide ruck support he has elevated his game as he gets more exposure as the club’s No.1 ruckman. Williams worked hard against Mark Blicavs and Rhys Stanley and finished with 16 possessions to go with 27 hit-outs.