1. After taking more than three quarters to get off the mark against Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown International Sportspark last weekend, West Coast would have been eager to get the scoreboard ticking over early at Leederville Oval. And that’s exactly what they did against the Western Bulldogs. Niamh and Grace Kelly threatened early, both recording behinds within the first two minutes of the contest, before Ashlee Atkins scooped up a loose Sherrin and snapped truly with just four minutes gone in the game. The goal seemed to relieve the pressure valve, allowing the Eagles to play free-flowing football for the remainder of the game.

2. As eluded to earlier, West Coast’s Irish duo threatened to break the game open all day. Grace Kelly proved a handful for the Bulldogs’ defence, who struggled to keep pace with the livewire Gaelic Football convert. She might have only kicked one goal – fortunately it was the match winner – but Grace could have had up to four majors in her stats column, such was her influence up forward. Niamh was equally dangerous, amassing 16 disposals and two behinds. The sister act, who continue to improve with each game, appear poised for a big second half of the season.

3. Another forward who exerted plenty of influence on the contest was Kellie Gibson. Senior coach Luke Dwyer moved the magnets and threw the 2017 AFLW premiership player onball at the first centre bounce, injecting her straight into the contest. The bold moved kicked Gibson into gear and she showed plenty of class while running through the midfield, hitting up several teammates with pin-point kicks before transitioning into the attacking arc. She also brought plenty of heat to the contest, sticking five tackles throughout the day.

4. They might be small in stature, but defensive duo Belinda Smith and Cassie Davidson took it up to the Bulldogs’ tall attack yesterday. Smith relished going head-to-head with her old club and stood up in several critical contests, particularly late in the game. Davidson, who was playing her 15th AFLW game but fist for the Eagles, brought some much-needed mongrel to the backline and laid some big bumps and tackles to make her presence felt. 

5. Some goals are more fortuitous than others, but they’re all worth six points. Hayley Bullas probably would not have predicted her first AFLW goal would come from a back-heel, but her third-term major was huge in the context of a tight game. It gave the Eagles some breathing space – an seven-point buffer – heading into the final quarter. It was reward for effort too. Bullas had a solid game, amassing eight disposals, six tackles and two marks in addition to her timely goal.