1. While the Eagles were in the game for a long period, Richmond eventually wore them down winning the ball at the source and forcing their opponents onto the back foot. The Eagles conceded contested possessions 130-153, lost the inside 50 count 43-65 and all of that resulted in the Tigers have the ball in their forward half 46% to 54% of the time. With the ball living in the Richmond attacking zone for a long period they were always going to kick a winning score.

2. The role of Jamaine Jones playing as a rebounding half-back has been something of a revelation in the last couple of seasons and he was again prolific. He picked up 30 possessions (18 kicks, 12 handballs and seven marks) while also having seven score involvements. In conjunction with Liam Duggan, who split his time in defence and midfield, they were outstanding. Duggan had 27 possessions and gained 642 metres for his team.

05:51

Simpson post-match v Tigers 06.04.23

West Coast Eagles senior coach Adam Simpson's post-match press conference.

3. The return of premiership midfielder Dom Sheed was another positive from a disappointing day. His presence added some grunt around the midfield and after a month out he managed 29 touches (14 kicks, 15 handballs and seven marks). He and Tim Kelly, who has produced a remarkable start to the season, also recorded a team high nine clearances. Kelly gathered 29 possessions and  had six score involvements in another classy display.

4. The role at half-forward is one of the toughest in the modern game and Connor West impressed against the Tigers. He has needed to adjust to this position when he has played most of his football in the midfield because of the list of players unavailable. He had 14 possessions and kicked a goal, but also contributed seven pressure acts, so important in the quest to lock the ball in the Eagles forward half.

01:03

Culley leaves ground with injury

AFL Premiership Snippet Round 8 2023

5. After leading the game deep into the third quarter and looking capable of upsetting the Tigers the class of Richmond stepped up. Jacob Hopper, Shai Bolton and Tim Taranto all had more than 30 possessions with Bolton capping off his game with three goals. Dion Prestia chimed in with three successive goals before the last change while Dustin Martin was a constant threat up forward.