1, While St Kilda forward Max King and Harry Edwards are a similar age, the Eagles defender would have taken some key learnings away from his match-up with the young Saints gun. Edwards did not stand him for the entire afternoon, as King kicked six goals, but he did match up with him for long periods. King was outstanding, but Edwards also had some good moments and took 12 marks – four of them important intercepts.

2. The decision to run versatile key position players Jeremy McGovern and Oscar Allen as the support to ruckman Nic Naitanui was intriguing. Obviously Allen has performed the task before, but McGovern, in his 150th match, enjoyed the opportunity to go back to a role he has rarely played since his development years. McGovern played as a forward-ruckman in his youth, showed deft hands and enjoyed being around the ball before spending more time in his usual defensive post.

3. When the Eagles broke the game open in the second term the man who did much to ignite the effort was star midfielder Tim Kelly. The dynamic contested ball beast had 13 possessions in that period – half of his tally for the match – and was particularly damaging as he sent the ball inside the forward 50. In that period of the game, he combined brilliantly with Naitanui in what was the most decisive period of football from either team.

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Kelly clean, clever and kicking goals

Tim Kelly clears the stoppage and charges forward only moments later to snap through a beauty

4. When players drop out of the senior team it’s important to go back to the WAFL Eagles to rebuild confidence and touch. Ideally, Jake Waterman would have been keen to avoid the situation, but last week he had four goals and 16 marks against Subiaco in a terrific display. He carried that confidence-boosting form into this match and worked hard for 16 possessions and took 12 marks, finishing with 1.3 which, with a little luck, could have been so much better.

5. Energetic forward Jamie Cripps continued his good touch as well. A five goal haul last week was a great reward for his high work rate against Adelaide, but his output was every bit as workmanlike against the Saints. The vagaries of the high half-forward role was that this week he reaped just one goal from 17 possessions, but his pressure around the ball was so important. He sets a wonderful example for younger players like Connor West, Xavier O’Neill and Zac Langdon.