1. The capacity of the defensive group to hold up in the first quarter under intense pressure set the tone for the night. After withstanding the early heat from Fremantle who had the game in their half for the bulk of the first 20 minutes, the Eagles counter-attacked, got the crowd involved and led 4.1 (25) to 0.3 (3) at the end of a pulsating first term.

2. The defence continued to hold up throughout the contest with key back Tom Barrass exceptional and Brady Hough continuing his impressive form in a lock-down role. Barrass took 11 marks, five of them contested, in a dominant performance in the air. He had seven intercept possessions and in tandem with Jeremy McGovern (eight marks) made it tough for the Dockers big forwards. Hough (17 possessions, four marks and eight intercepts) spent a lot of the night on Fremantle veteran Michael Walters, who did not hit the scoreboard until the last term.

09:07

Simpson post-match v Fremantle

West Coast Eagles senior coach Adam Simpson speaks to the media after their match against Fremantle

3. The form of hard working forward Jake Waterman has been a major factor in successive victories. Backing up from six goals against Richmond he bagged another five in the derby. He took eight marks, five of them inside 50 and finished with 5.2. Veterans Jack Darling and Jamie Cripps were also important. Darling (two goals) joined Eagles legend Peter Sumich on 514 goals to be equal second on the all-time list behind Josh Kennedy (712). Cripps kicked one goal but it was his pressure around the ball that was critical producing a game-high 18 pressure acts.

4. The excitement factor around Eagles youngster Harley Reid is something that can’t be measured, but every time he goes near the ball there is audible anticipation in the crowd. He was a key factor again with three goals, a couple of towering marks and 19 possessions, but his energy was equally valuable. Of his 19 possessions 13 were contested and he also won seven clearances which saw him finish second in the Glendinning-Allan Medal to Elliot Yeo.

00:27

Harley hits new skies

Harley Reid soars over the pack and takes a brilliant mark before converting truly

5. Given the fact the Eagles led by 64 points at the last change it’s not surprising they topped all the key markers. They led the inside 50 metre count (48-40), contested possessions (132-108), ground balls (90-69) and contested marks (17-7). For marks inside the arc, the Eagles led it 14-9 to complete a fulfilling match which would have been slated as ‘team effort’ in the coach’s notes.