1. One season and two games into this team’s existence their resilience and courage has been abundantly displayed. As elite athletes, it is about winning and brave defeats are often hollow. But in this instance, the West Coast AFLW outfit was superb despite a nine-point loss. With no fit players left out of the team they tackled the premiership favourites and took it up to them, edging within six points when Imahra Cameron kicked a final quarter goal. It is true that Fremantle played better football for longer, but the Eagles dug deep, especially considering Niamh Kelly (finger) did not resume after half-time and both Parris Laurie and Andrea Gilmore were incapacitated.

2. The heart that is documented in the first point was personified in many ways; Ashlee Atkins taking a brave contested mark going back into a pack in the second quarter; Parris Laurie hobbling back onto the field in the final term after a heavy knock to the shin in the third stanza; Kellie Gibson, at 170cm, stepping in to pinch-hit in the ruck when Laurie was unable to compete fully. The Eagles might have lost, but the effort was unquestionable.

3. And following on from points one and two, Tayla Bresland demonstrated the determination within the team in the final term when she chased down Dockers star Gemma Houghton. The Eagles had edged within six points and were within reach of an unlikely victory when the Dockers surged forward. The athletic Houghton led the charge towards the football that was travelling deep towards goal. Bresland, a former Docker herself, found a way to make a contest, chasing Houghton to the goal line. She willed her way to make a sliding challenge, rushing a behind, to keep her team in the battle.

4. The development of Mikayla Bowen as a front-line player was anticipated when she was a draft priority for the Eagles a little shy of 18 months ago. And two games into her second season, she is showing why she was so highly regarded. Bowen featured heavily in the best-on-ground voting – ultimately won by Dockers contested ball winning machine Kiara Bowers – when she collected 18 possessions, 10 of those contested.

5. Another second year player to shine in the first couple of games has been half-back Belinda Smith. She backed up a strong effort against Adelaide in the first round with another quality display. Smith had 17 possessions and with Chantella Perera, Bresland and Amber Ward, held the Dockers at bay for most of this slog in atrocious conditions.