Clearly you do not win a Coleman Medal without being an exceptional player. And West Coast vice-captain Josh Kennedy displayed all of his attributes in an outstanding performance against the Kangaroos.

Kennedy had 20 possessions, took nine marks – most of them with rugged Roos defender Scott Thompson on his tail – and finished off his work with two goals.

But those numbers do not tell paint the full picture. After a sluggish opening quarter, West Coast needed a trigger, someone to lead from the front and step it up in the second term. Kennedy, who was also selected as vice-captain of the all-Australian team,  was that man.

The Eagles had struggled to take marks inside the attacking 50 in the first 40 minutes of the game, but Kennedy, so strong and athletic, willed himself into the game, took some authorative marks and that spurred on his teammates.

He was a constant threat to the North defence, but was also prepared to work up the ground and offer a target as the defence – which held up so well under the early North assault - looked to escape the danger zone.