1. Zane Trew became the 15^th debutant in an extraordinary season – that number including five Covid Contingency List Players as well as Samo Petrevski-Seton who arrived via Carlton. Trew took a little time to work his way into the match, but had a strong influence through a good period for the Eagles in the third quarter. Aside from playing a hand in some important centre clearances, he also capped off his day with a rock-solid set shot from about 25 metres.

2. There was little resemblance in this team to the one that lost by 109 points to the Tigers earlier in the season. With the Eagles having a rare win in the inside 50 count there was less pressure on the defensive unit but key back Tom Barrass stood tall. Barrass matched up with Tom Lynch, so destructive first time around, and kept him to two goals. Rookie Rhett Bazzo spent much of the game on experienced Tiger Jack Riewoldt and also did a good job and no doubt took away some key learnings.

3. It didn’t take long for champion ruckman Nic Naitanui to provide a reminder of what the team – and Eagles fans – have been missing for 12 weeks. The Eagles won the clearances decisively (45-31) and he was central to that also helping to bring the likes of Tim Kelly, Luke Shuey and Jack Redden into the contest. They also won the contested possession count 131 to 112 and that was important as the Eagles remained in the game to the end. Naitanui also made an early stamp with a handy left foot snap in the opening term.

4. The work rate of high half-forward Jamie Cripps is always a key aspect of the Eagles’ game plan. Sometimes he does a mountain of running with little reward but this time capped off his game with three goals. He and the other forwards also enjoyed a rare advantage from the inside 50 count (57-53) with Liam Rioli, Jack Darling – in his 250^th game – and Willie Rioli all hitting the scoreboard.

5. Brady Hough is just nine games into his AFL career and already looks at ease with the tempo of the game. After playing in defence for a handful of early games he has pushed up to a wing more recently and has continued to impress. He had 20 possessions and took 10 marks as he found another gear and was an important aspect of a midfield unit that held its own. With debutant Zane Trew and developing defender Rhett Bazzo they continue to provide reason for optimism that the club will rebound strongly.