1. Andrew Gaff produced a signature 30-possession effort in the midfield, but the numbers of some of his cohorts were down, even taking into account the abbreviated game time. Gaff, in his 200th game, gained 574 metres and took seven marks as link up player, but needed greater support as the Brisbane midfield out-muscled their highly-rated Eagles opponents.

2. With the Eagles conceding both the contested and uncontested possession counts it was naturally reflected on the respective inside 50 metre measures, with Eagles cutting the arc 34 times while the Lions ventured inside 49 times. That is a double-edged sword with limited supply for the Eagles forwards while also adding to the pressure on the defence.

3. Powerhouse ruckman Nic Naitanui has been prominent in both matches since the competition re-start on the Gold Coast. Against the Lions he tried to impose his physical presence on the game, gathering 12 possessions and winning nine clearances, but also winning 34 hit outs to give the midfield first opportunity.

4. Jarrod Brander has needed to be patient to break into the West Coast line-up, but a solid pre-season where he worked on securing a place on the wing, has seen him play all three games. Against the Lions he showed some strong signs with 14 possessions and eight marks and appears to be building self-belief.

5. Livewire forward Liam ‘Flyin’ Ryan has certainly got some tricks and he was prominent throughout. He was comfortably the most productive of the Eagles forward of centre and kicked three of his team’s six goals. One of them was an absolute bomb from outside 50 in the third quarter which carried to the fence. He received a cork to the calf with his last goal of the game in the final term, but should be okay for the next clash against Port Adelaide.