1. The West Coast Eagles defence has held up strongly for the majority of the season and has been exceptional in the last seven weeks. With four-time all-Australian Jeremy McGovern resuming they assumed dominance in the air. Barrass, McGovern and Sheppard contributed to the Eagles' control of the high ball, with Barrass and McGovern taking seven intercept marks, and that trio combining for 25 marks in total.

2. The remarkable consistency of Andrew Gaff has been the trademark of his stellar career and this season has been no exception. Against the Hawks he produced another signature performance, with 33 possessions working off the wing and through the engine room. With 29 of those disposals uncontested, he set a new benchmark in 2020 and with the ball in his hands, the team was advantaged through 411 metres gained by his possessions.

07:45

Highlights: Eagles v Hawks

Check out the highlights from our Round 12 clash with the Hawks

3. Nic Naitanui is undoubtedly in some of the best form of his career. He also set a season high for hitouts to advantage, with 16 of them directly finding midfielders at his feet. With that level of accurate execution the Hawks were up against it – throw in 14 possessions, 11 of them contested and four clearances of his own and Naitanui was a major factor in the result.

4. The impact and importance of Jamie Cripps' role in the Eagles' line-up is often under stated, particularly outside the club bubble. But he always plays an important role, his sacrificial running enabling some of his more celebrated teammates to cash in. Once more against the Hawks he was instrumental in the team’s scoring opportunities, his pressure acts through the roof at 20. He also gathered the ball cleanly off the deck 10 times, finishing off his game with a goal.

01:36

Brander post-match v Hawks

Emerging mid Jarrod Brander chats to Eagles Media after an impressive performance today against the Hawks

5. Emerging utility player Jarrod Brander got a tap on the shoulder shortly after arriving at the ground, informing him he would replace the injured Elliot Yeo. Brander played the first four games of the season before suffering a hip injury and made the most of is unexpected recall. He had 10 possessions and three marks and completed his game with six tackles. It was the first time in his brief career that he had played in front of an Eagles home crowd – and he loved it!