1. Liam Ryan is in all-Australian form. Coach Adam Simpson said it post game and we have all seen it in the last 7-8 weeks. He is a man who is in rare form. After failing to touch the ball in the first quarter Ryan ignited the Eagles in the second term with his unique array of skills. He sees the game ahead of virtually everyone else and was dynamic, gathered 15 possessions, kicked two goals himself and had seven score involvements. An aspect that perhaps is not recognised is that he is also strong around the ball with 10 of those possessions contested and he also applied a whopping 21 pressure acts.

2. The defensive unit of the Eagles has had to contend with more inside 50 entries from the opposition on a consistent basis – and that was again the case against North, albeit just 40-43. But again the defence held up, with Shannon Hurn leading the way. The former skipper was sublime with 23 possessions, often displaying his elite kicking skills, threading the needle through traffic and he gained 577 metres for his team through his possessions. Emerging defender Jackson Nelson also had 22 possessions in another solid display, gaining 550 metres.

3. With a number of established midfield stars sidelined through injury there has been a strong necessity for the experienced players in the line-up to lead from the front. And both Andrew Gaff and Dom Sheed, who were influential through the middle early, were important against the Roos. Gaff was the highest possession winner for the Eagles with 26 touches (14 of them contested). He also had four clearances. Sheed collected 23 touches, sent the ball into the forward 50 on five occasions and had five clearances.

4. The influence of Nic Naitanui on the Eagles was as pronounced as ever in another absorbing battle with highly-regarded Kangaroos ruckman Todd Goldstein. The numbers were similar with Naitanui having 13 possessions, two marks and 24 hit outs, compared to Goldstein’s 18 possessions, four marks and 21 hit outs. But Naitanui was more effective when the ball hit the deck and had 10 contested possessions as well as five clearances, equal with Sheed as the team high.

5. Oscar Allen has floated between roles, mainly playing the support ruckman to Naitanui this season but also pushing forward to his more customary position in attack. With Bailey Williams selected as the second ruck, Allen pushed forward and had a strong influence on the game. In the last quarter when the Eagles needed a game breaker, Allen provided it with two of his three goals coming in the middle of the term.