1. There were signs of the new game plan, the dare to take the game on, keep the ball in motion and to penetrate the corridor. It was exciting to watch and had the 42,000-strong crowd engaged, particularly in the first quarter. But the Eagles fell victim to their own short-comings in executing the fundamentals and that opened the door for the Giants. Good teams make you pay and GWS are a very good football team.

2. While the focus has been on the emergence of the next generation of players who will carry the club forward a number of the senior players led by example. None more so than Elliot Yeo through the midfield who gave Eagles fans a reminder of what they had been missing for a couple of years. He bullocked his way through the engine room and muscled his way to a team-high nine clearances and eight tackles, while racking up 27 possessions (15 contested). He kicked a monster last quarter goal to finish off his game.

08:35

Simpson post-match v Giants

Adam Simpson speaks to the media after the Eagles loss to the Giants in our first home game of the season

3. Partly because of the untimely midfield or forward half turnovers the West Coast Eagles defence was constantly under pressure as GWS amassed 67 inside 50 entries. Had it not been for the efforts of Jeremy McGovern, Liam Duggan, Brady Hough and Tom Barrass the final margin would have been greater. McGovern was supreme throughout, Duggan provided strong rebound, Hough measured up against one of the game’s best forwards (Toby Greene) and acquitted himself well while Barrass recovered from a slow start to impose himself on the game.

4. Eagles fans got an insight into the future with two youngsters in particular shining brightly. Harley Reid excited fans with his thirst for the contest and physical approach to the game and was a big factor in his team’s pulsating start. He finished with 17 possessions and three clearances in an eye-catching display. Reuben Ginbey, strong and athletic, produced one of the best games of his brief career with 22 possessions (13 contested) and four clearances. Young forward Tyler Brockman also showed glimpses of what he will bring with some clever touches.

00:52

Kelly all class

Tim Kelly kicks truly on the run to earn our opening major

5. Giving up two goals in the last 30 seconds was a bit flattening after the Eagles had been strong in the final term. They had 15 forward 50 entries in the last quarter for a total of 44 and were “winning” the quarter to that stage. While it might seem academic as the game was out of reach, finishing off their work is a factor and one those ‘small wins’ they look to achieve each week.