1. A big game at the MCG, the opposition kicks away to a five-goal advantage early in the contest. The Eagles fight back, hit the front in the third quarter and are looking like they might win. The opposition kick two early goals in the last quarter…it conjured memories of last year’s grand final. Unfortunately, this time, there would be not fairytale finish as Geelong closed out the match and were too good in the run to the line.

2. As of now the West Coast Eagles are no longer the premiers. That honour will belong to one of the five remaining teams in the quest for the 2019 flag. The Eagles become one of the teams in the chasing pack and after a brief reflection will begin to implement a strategy to rebound, to find the marginal improvement needed to make finals again in 2020.

3. Andrew Gaff had kicked just one goal in the season, but he was pivotal to the West Coast surge in the third quarter when he kicked two in as many minutes; the first of them on the run from about 40 metres and the second of them from a set shot. He looked like he had sparked the Eagles to what would be a memorable victory, but the Cats proved resolute, withstood that charge and powered to victory.

4. The statistical analysis of the match told the story. Geelong won around the contest, had more possessions, more inside 50s and took 17 marks inside the attacking arc compared to the five by the Eagles. They also had more time in possession, more uncontested marks and with all of that data behind them it was no surprise that they won the game by 20 points.

5. The Eagles have played five consecutive finals series under Adam Simpson and he has continually evolved the team. Four players represented the club for the first time in a finals match at the MCG against the Cats – Jack Petruccelle played his first career final while Jake Waterman, Tom Hickey and Jackson Nelson played their first major game at football’s Mecca.