1. The backline alumni has developed a thirst for scoring goals, as well as defending them. After Brad Sheppard hit the scoreboard for the first time in three years a month ago, Tom Cole kicked his first career goal against Essendon last night. And a crucial goal it was. Ignore the fact he might have been playing on the wing at the time, Cole darted forward with the Eagles in transition on the opposite side of the ground. Jack Darling marked around the 50 metre arc and kicked the ball to the advantage of Cole, who marked about 20 metres out. He composed himself, played on, snapped around the body. For a regular forward it was routine, for a bloke kicking his first goal in the AFL it was like putting to win a major championship.
2. The return of Lewis Jetta to the team, playing forward rather than in defence, was an injection of energy. Unfortunately his three shots at goal missed the target, but he was lively as a replacement for Jamie Cripps, who has returned to Perth to witness the birth of his first child. Cripps would have been proud of Jetta’s contribution, particularly his 16 pressure acts, which was bettered only Brendon Ah Chee. Jetta, one of the best ball users in the competition, also gained 279 metres for his team through his 12 disposals, behind Luke Shuey (390 metres) and Liam Ryan (344 metres).
3. Nic Naitanui has had more sustained periods of excellence this season, but he was just as influential in the result against the Bombers. He was involved in all of the big moments, starting with the first centre clearance that resulted in Liam Ryan kicking the opening goal of the game. When the Eagles rattled on three quick goals in the second quarter to break out to a 34-point advantage, Naitanui was in the thick of it, with Tim Kelly and Luke Shuey. He had four clearances (second only to Shuey’s five), four inside 50 metre entries and 22 hit outs in a powerful display.
4. The resilience of the West Coast defence was again highlighted with the Eagles holding sway despite conceding 41 inside 50 metre entries to 32 of their own. Leading the way was veteran defender Shannon Hurn in his 283rd match. He had 20 disposals, 17 kicks and three handballs, took 12 marks – three of them intercepts – and was important in rebounding the ball out of the danger zone. In conjunction with Tom Barrass, outstanding on Joe Daniher, Jeremy McGovern and Brad Sheppard, they set the bench mark for the defensive zone.
5. It is a bit of misnomer to suggest that a premiership midfielder of the ilk of Jack Redden can fly under the radar, but it is often the case. Last night he was again important in the club’s victory, not just because of the 20 possessions he gathered, but the grunt work and the amount of hard, unrewarded running he punches out to aid the cause. Redden had seven contested possessions and three clearances to underline his penchant for the contest.
