1. It all started with pressure, especially in the front half. A tackle count in the forward 50 that read 26-5 was indicative of the intent of the Eagles to lock the ball in their attacking area. Jamie Cripps and Noah Long led the charge with 25 and 15 pressure acts respectively, but it was a collective effort with Jack Darling, Oscar Allen, Xavier O’Neill and Jack Petruccelle all recording double figures. Cripps (five tackles), Darling (four) and Allen (three) also ensured the ball stayed in the scoring zone through their physicality.

2. Setting standards for the younger group to follow cannot be under-estimated and the team’s senior players led by example. Jack Darling was outstanding, especially in the first half, working deep in defence – even taking a mark in the defensive goal-square. But he also worked up the ground and at one stage in the opening term was on the end of a passage of play in the centre square, baulked an opponent and then hit a leading Oscar Allen with a perfectly executed pass.

3. The same could be said of the midfielders with their work at the coalface. Tim Kelly, who set the standard from the outset with a sizzling first term, had 26 possessions (19 of them contested) and won seven clearances, while Dom Sheed (26 possessions, seven contested and nine marks) and Andrew Gaff (25 possessions, 10 contested and five marks) were also influential. Between them they sent the ball inside the attacking 50 metre arc 15 times and gave the forwards a solid line of supply.

4. The growth of Bailey Williams in the ruck continues. He carried the bulk of the load, with Jack Williams providing able support, against North Melbourne veteran Todd Goldstein and Tristan Xerri. Bailey Williams had 23 possessions, 18 of which were contested, had 24 hit outs and took five marks. While the North pair also had an impact, the young Eagle’s development has been one of the positives out of a tough season.

5. The rebound of Jayden Hunt – and his willingness to take the game on – was another pleasing aspect. He has been a wonderful acquisition after deciding to join the club during the free agency period last year and was back to his best against the Roos. The sense of anticipation in the crowd is palpable when he charges out of defence and they had plenty of occasions to get excited yesterday. Hunt had 25 possessions, seven marks and gained 421 metres for his team when he had the footy.