1. It is possible to have three men who stand around the 200cm mark in the one team – particularly when they are athletic like Dean Cox, Nic Naitanui and Callum Sinclair. They were key elements, both in the ruck and forward, and provided the impetus for a dominant midfield performance. While they did not hit the scoreboard, they were involved in a number of score assists and had a pronounced influence on the contest.

2. When West Coast played its best football in 2012, the pressure around the contest often forced the opposition into error. Again, the hunger around the ball on Sunday was clear as the Eagles hunted the ball carrier and consistently caused turnovers because of the ferocity. Intent, both real and perceived, has the capacity to create opportunity and the intent was fierce all over the ground.

3. Much has been made of the arrival of Xavier Ellis (Hawthorn) and Elliot Yeo (Brisbane) – and rightly so. Their form in the pre-season, and again in the season opener, was outstanding as they have added rebound and pace. Jamie Bennell (Melbourne) has gone about the business of earning his place in the team rather quietly, but was ubiquitous against the Bulldogs. Still recovering from a serious knee injury when secured onto the rookie list at the end of 2012, he relished his return to senior football, having played 57 games for the Dees.   

4. The running capacity of West Coast has long been seen as a strength and that was again evident against the Bulldogs. The ability of players like Matt Rosa, Matt Priddis, Scott Selwood and Andrew Gaff to sustain their effort has been elite and it proved decisive in the heat of the game – both atmospherically and in a game sense. They had 115 touches between and played leading roles in linking the ball movement together.

5. Skipper Darren Glass and Eric Mackenzie continue to get the job done in the key defensive posts. While Mackenzie started with a clanger, which gifted the Bulldogs their first goal, his effort in his 100th game was thereafter without blemish. He has become a strong rebound player and together with Glass instils great confidence in the Eagles’ capacity to thwart dangerous opposition advances inside 50. Both Mackenzie and Glass are unflappable and again did their job meticulously.