1. What five-day break?
After facing the in-form Tigers in challenging conditions at the MCG last Saturday, West Coast was always likely to be tested by the five-day turnaround. The Eagles showed no signs of any lingering effects in the first half, pushing numbers around the contest to restrict Sydney's ball movement. The trend continued throughout the third term but when the game broke open early final quarter, Sydney looked dangerous, moving the ball through the corridor with precision. However, Adam Simpson's men held firm, slamming on two quick goals to salute their upcoming 10-day rest with a win.
2. McGovern in the swing of things
With Jack Darling withdrawing late with an ankle injury, West Coast opted to send Jeremy McGovern forward to fill the void. The contested marking specialist competed strongly alongside Nathan Vardy and Josh Kennedy, gathering 19 possessions, eight marks and two goals. But what was perhaps more encouraging was the response of key defenders Will Schoefield and Tom Barrass, who worked in tandem to restrict Lance Franklin and Sam Reid to three goals, while Elliot Yeo played a sweeping role in the backline. Whether the Eagles will need to persist with the experiment remains to be seen, but Adam Simpson can be confident in the adaptability of his big men.
3. Sydney's worst start in over 20 years
Not since 1993 have the Swans started the season with four consecutive losses and their prospects look bleak. No team has made the finals from a 0-4 start since the top eight system was introduced in 1994 and only two teams in AFL/VFL history have won a flag from the same position, most recently North Melbourne in 1975. But history is made to be broken and with a raft of stars waiting in the wings, Sydney won't be giving up hope yet.
4. The battle of the back-ups
With Sydney's tall stocks temporarily depleted after rucking duo Kurt Tippett and Sam Naismith failed to pass fitness tests, ex-Eagle Callum Sinclair was given sole ruck duties for the first time since moving to the Harbour City. Manned for much of the night against Jonathan Giles and Nathan Vardy, Sinclair (13 possessions, 24 hit-outs) competed hard in the ruck but struggled to find space around the ground. Giles (seven possessions, 36 hit-outs) also struggled to win the ball, but quelled his opponent's impact at stoppages and won the tap count, while Vardy (10 possessions, 22 hit-outs) provided a valuable target up forward. Though their reserves have been serviceable, both teams will be counting down the days until their preferred big men return to the fray.
5. Stars down, but not out
Both West Coast and Sydney were left licking their wounds after the combative contest threatened to claim two of the game's established stars. Lance Franklin struggled with a sore elbow, ribs and a corked thigh after copping the full force of a Shannon Hurn hip and shoulder in the first term. Franklin still had an impact, finishing with two goals, but looked a yard short of his natural pace. A quarter later Sam Mitchell fell victim to his teammate's tenacity when collected below the knees by Jack Redden, who was laying a tackle on Swans midfielder George Hewett. Mitchell returned after half-time, spending time in the midfield and forward line, but was understandably down on his output.
