1. The enthusiasm and energy of young forwards Jake Waterman and Oscar Allen was contagious. The Eagles showed their intent early and both Waterman and Allen hit the scoreboard to telling effect. Allen took a strong contested mark in the first quarter and converted the first of three goals from about 40 metres. And right on the quarter time siren Waterman took a mark outside 50 and launched a massive roost after the bell to give the Eagles important impetus going into the break.

2. While that enthusiasm in the forward half was generated largely due to Waterman and Allen - who both worked up the ground and Allen was the relief ruckman – it was also evident in defence. Liam Duggan produced his best performance since the club ventured to Queensland while Tom Cole and Jackson Nelson were also important. Duggan, in particular, provided strong rebound and was most effective in the third quarter, generating scoring opportunities with his dash and dare.

3. While assessing the work of the backline, the form of experienced half-back Brad Sheppard continued in what has been an outstanding start to the season for him. Sheppard had 21 possessions and 13 marks, playing with great composure. With Tom Barrass, who took a magnificent mark in the third quarter, the defenders backed themselves in and were outstanding as a group.

00:21

The towering Tom Barrass!

Tom Barrass... take a bow

4. It was no coincidence that the pressure around the contest lifted with Elliot Yeo edging closer to his best form. The midfield brute, at his best when his tackling execution is frenetic, helped to create pressure on the Swans with five bone-jarring tackles. He had 21 possessions, 14 of them contested and racked up nine clearances. Dom Sheed tallied similar numbers, with 24 touches, 10 marks and nine clearances – both men stepping up when skipper Luke Shuey was ruled out with a hamstring strain in the first quarter.

07:36

Highlights: Eagles v Swans

Check out all the highlights from our clash with the Swans!

5. All of the key performance indicators returned to the levels expected against Sydney. After being down in those areas against Gold Coast, Brisbane and Port Adelaide, the Eagles won the contested possession battle 121-97, had an advantage of 13 in clearances and that resulted in them, being 47-30 to the good in the inside 50 count. More opportunities resulted in 11 goals – double the tallies of those earlier game disappointments.