Apologies for stating the bleeding obvious, but going into the game against St Kilda, the need for the experienced midfielders remaining to have a serious impact was imperative.
And Nic Naitanui, Tim Kelly and Andrew Gaff accepted the challenge.
Naitanui had an intriguing battle with the athletic Paddy Ryder, a wonderfully absorbing match-up with two players who are elite at their craft, the Eagles star getting the better of the clash with a magnificent last quarter.
Kelly and Gaff were ubiquitous at the stoppages, crashing in throughout the night to generate the drive the Eagles needed to find a way to claim four precious premiership points.
Both had significant numbers – Gaff 33 touches, 13 of them contested and Kelly 30 disposals, 15 of them contested – to be major contributors in a match that has ensured their club plays finals.
Kelly gets the nod as best afield, comfortably the most influential player on the ground with nine clearances and 522 metres gained from his possessions.
He set the tone early, when he gathered the ball at a midfield stoppage, pivoted, found space and then hit Jack Darling at centre half-forward with a 50 metre dart. Darling converted from the paint of 50 to open the scoring for the Eagles. They were on their way.
To cap off his night he also kicked a timely last quarter goal that put his team four points up mid-term.
Subsequent majors from Oscar Allen and Tom Cole took the final winning margin to 15 points, but Kelly kick-started much of the offensive through the night.
