1. Given the prevailing conditions, strong winds, rain and a little lightning, it was no surprise this match became a battle based around the contest and all the statistical data pointed to the tight result that unfolded. The Eagles won the contested possession count (145-136), led tackles 54-46 and held an inside 50 advantage (50-49) while Melbourne held the ascendancy with clearances (41-40) and ground ball gets (95-87). It was a hotly contested game which, unfortunately, saw the Demons prevail.

2. If the All-Australian selectors were looking for a definitive answer around the ruck roles in this year’s team they didn’t get it when the best big men in the game went head-to-head. Nic Naitanui and Max Gawn have featured in the team regularly and were both selected last season. Naitanui is a two-time All-Australian while Gawn has been chosen four times in the last five years. Statistically they were similar last night – Naitanui had 12 possessions (nine contested), two marks, 28 hit outs and 5 clearances while Gawn had 14 touches (seven contested), 26 hit outs and five clearances.

3. Two of the Eagles promoted to the team had specific roles to play against the Dees. Returning defender Jackson Nelson stood dangerous Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett and experienced midfielder Mark Hutchings ran with prolific ball-winner Clayton Oliver. Nelson kept Pickett to nine possessions and a goal, from a free kick just before half-time, while having 12 possessions and taking six marks himself. While Oliver had 28 possessions, 17 of them were handballs mainly in congestion where he thrives, Hutchings also did a good job and had 16 possessions and three marks.

4. In the last five or six weeks forward Jamie Cripps has worked himself into some solid form – work being the operative word. He runs hard up and down the ground, often unrewarded, but reaped some benefit for the energy he committed with two goals – both of them from around the 50-metre arc. He was also involved in a team high 22 pressure acts, another feature in his arsenal that has been a career hallmark.

5. The battle around the ball was bruising and the Eagles midfielders stood up, doing everything they could to get their team across the line. Elliot Yeo led the way with 20 contested possessions, while Jack Redden (16), Tim Kelly (10), Andrew Gaff (10) and Dom Sheed (nine) were also tough in the clinches. Melbourne were marginally cleaner with their ball use and were more adept at the ground ball. In games as tight as this one, that proved decisive.