1. Playing a Ross Lyon-coached St Kilda opponents are aware of what they will face. It will be a dour arm wrestle, a two-and-a-half hour grind and that is what the Eagles got. Unfortunately the Saints were stronger for longer and claimed the points, leading important categories they needed to win the game with their game plan. The Saints won the tackle count 84-65, inside 50s 52-44, marks inside 50 13-8 and the pressure factor rating 2.03 against 1.92 with both of those scores in the elite zone.

2. There were moments when the Eagles looked like they would endure and at those times forwards Liam Ryan and Jamie Cripps were at the forefront. They kicked three goals apiece and combined for two in the last minute of the first half which might have kick-started the Eagles. But they never really got any flow into their game which made momentum a challenge to maintain.

04:42

The Inside Swoop - An arm wrestle

Will Schofield takes us in the rooms after our disappointing loss to the Saints

3. Young gun Harley Reid received another lesson in his AFL education as he was “tagged’ for the first time in his brief career. After doing much to get his team rolling with a 12-possession second quarter the Saints sent Marcus Windhager to him and he effectively shut him down. Reid will no doubt lean on experienced teammates Elliot Yeo and Tim Kelly as he works his way through the methods he can deploy to get through similar situations in the future.

4. The return of veteran wingman Andrew Gaff for his first senior game since the opening round of the season against Port Adelaide produced pleasing outcomes. He has worked hard to win back his place and has mentored young teammates to fast track their development. The hard working Gaff had 21 possessions and kicked an opening term goal that was enthusiastically celebrated by those around him. If fans didn’t know better they might have presumed it was a rookie’s first career goal.

08:30

Simpson post-match v Saints

Senior Coach Adam Simpson speaks to the media following his side's clash against St Kilda

5. The return of Harry Edwards, as the replacement for ill teammate Josh Rotham, to the Eagles defence effectively saw three key defenders in the line-up and it worked well. He teamed nicely with established stars Tom Barrass, who was outstanding against Max King, and Jeremy McGovern. Barrass had 14 possessions, nine marks and nine one-percenters, while Edwards had 6 possessions, four marks and eight one-percenters and McGovern had 21 possessions and seven marks. (The one percenters includes were predominantly spoils).