1. A solid Friday night match
After a few Friday night matches involving teams on the lower rungs on the ladder, fans were eagerly awaiting a battle of first and third. The fact it was West Coast and Sydney, two sides with a great rivalry dating back to the Grand Final battles in 2005 and '06, meant it was anticipated even more. But two of the best defensive sides in the competition lived up to their strengths in the first quarter, with the Eagles' Josh Kennedy finally breaking the goal deadlock with five minutes left of the term. Sydney broke away in the middle of the match, but two goals to Elliott Yeo either side of three-quarter time, plus one late to big man Scott Lycett, raised hopes we may be in for another classic, but it wasn't to be.
2. Sydney is West Coast's kryptonite
After 12 matches (and a bye), West Coast has lost just two games for the season. Both have been to Sydney. The Eagles were marginally stronger around the stoppages but had poor entry into their forward 50, which the Swans defenders picked off with ease. The Swans forwards were more dangerous than their Eagle counterparts, with Tom Papley, Ben Ronke and Will Hayward influential on the match. Sydney has now won 11 of its last 13 against West Coast, dating back to the 2008 season, and have moved to second on the ladder with Richmond yet to play.
3. Aliir Aliir is back
After his stunning first season in 2016, Sydney defender Aliir Aliir has struggled to make an impact, playing just four games in a season and a half. Named for his second game of the year after some strong NEAFL form, Aliir hit the ground running, impressing with his intercept marking and an eye-catching haircut. He finished with a match-high 10 marks to go with his 18 touches and four rebound-50s, and has done more than enough to hold his spot for the Swans' match after their bye, against Richmond.
4. Darling-less forward line struggles
Jack Darling's excellent form had been instrumental to West Coast's success this season, but Friday night's match was the first time the Eagles had played without him after he fractured his ankle. With Josh Kennedy off the ground for some of the last quarter, the Eagles' need for a strong key forward was highlighted. Jarrod Brander was lively in the first quarter of his debut, but was barely seen after quarter-time, while Liam "Flyin" Ryan made his return from an ankle injury but is hardly a like-for-like replacement for Darling.
