1. Memo AFLW rising star selectors: It’s time to look west to lodge the next nomination. The body of work compiled by Mikayla Bowen this season has commanded recognition and she did her cause no harm with possibly her best game at the elite level against Gold Coast. Not only do her raw statistics stand out, with 21 possessions and seven marks, but she also rebounded strongly out of defence and snapped the match-winning goal in the last term.

2. Bowen’s influence was pronounced from the start of the match to the end and one passage of play not only underlined her performance but was indicative of the West Coast game plan. She gathered the ball after a brave kick into the corridor at centre half-back, took four bounces and then kicked the Sherrin deep into attack. Irish ace Grace Kelly, who had chaperoned Bowen, running 10 metres ahead on that transition, continued to run after the ball was released. She gathered it off the contest about 20 metres from goal and then converted a great left foot snap around her body.

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Bowen's bolt through the middle ends in Grace-ful goal

Mikayla Bowen produces a stunning run through the middle of the ground and sets up a goal for teammate Grace Kelly

3. Defender Maddy Collier produced her best game for the club, setting the standard with her attack on the football throughout. She thrives on the contest and aside from gathering a team-high 22 disposals, also laid four tackles. With a lot of football in the forward half for the Suns, particularly in the opening two quarters, Collier was an important factor in the Eagles restricting the Suns’ scoring capacity.

4. Parris Laurie has been punching above her weight all season and has surely relished the presence of Alicia Janz in the last couple of games. Janz has been a part of the club’s list since inception but battled injury before playing her first game a week ago. She was an important ally for Laurie against the Suns and clearly relished the opportunity to excel in the club’s Indigenous guernsey. For Janz and Imahra Cameron it was even more special to carve out the first victory of the season given the occasion.

5. The work of Hayley Bullas does not always get the attention it deserves. In a midfield where captain Emma Swanson and exciting youngsters Bella Lewis and Mikayla Bowen get due plaudits, Bullas is an unobtrusive star. She epitomises the thirst for the contest of this team and was again a key against the Suns. She had just nine possessions, but it is her work around the ball that is such a great team attribute, clamping on nine tackles as she played her role in this stunning triumph.