1. All season – and especially in the last six weeks – the focus for the Eagles has been about pressure, winning the football around stoppages and playing forward half footy. They were given a lesson in that respect with Carlton’s pressure across the match sitting at 1.98 which is in the elite range, while West Coast registered 1.92. The Blues won the contested possession count 153-126 and that resulted in a 52-44 inside 50 advantage. What those stats don’t show is the quality of the attacking entries and the Blues were much more efficient with their connection from midfield to forward 50.
2. Beware the wounded foe. It has been a part of the football landscape forever but playing a club with significant injuries – and with everything on the line – is always dangerous. The Blues were without a number of key players, most notably attacking pillars Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay and there was a thought they might struggle to kick a winning score. But their attack on the ball and their drive to remain in finals contention saw others elevate their game and they controlled it from early in the second term. Brodie Kemp was the best example, moving from a customary role in defence to start forward and kick four goals.
3. While they were missing tall targets up forward, the Blues' midfield remained potent and Patrick Cripps led the charge with a herculean effort. He had 35 possessions, 10 clearances and even three hitouts when he offered ruck support to Mark Pittonet. With George Hewett, Sam Walsh and Matt Kennedy they were decisive midfield winners while Nick Newman constantly rebounded out of the back half.
4. There were a lot of reasons for the Eagles to have been much, much better. Not the least of them being the farewell appearance for departing star and highly-regarded teammate Andrew Gaff after 280 games. He deserved a stronger effort, so did veteran forward Jamie Cripps who played his 250th match and the so too did the fans who turned out. The Eagles members and supporters have turned out in big numbers over the last three trying years and were there again there on a bitterly cold Sunday afternoon with the wind seemingly coming directly from the south pole. With 48,455 on member recognition day they had precious little reason to cheer.
5. Positives were hard to find when the Eagles were clearly out-gunned in every respect, but Jamie Cripps went close. In game 234 for the club and 250th when taking into account 16 with St Kilda he had nine possessions, three marks, a goal and 10 tackles as he worked up and down the ground and all up was involved in 20 pressure acts. Gaff could also hold his head high with 25 possessions.
