1. Power address inside 50s
differentials
Despite winning against Hawthorn and Adelaide in the past two weeks, Port Adelaide has been dominated in the inside 50s with a combined differential of -65. Ken Hinkley said the Power "wouldn't survive" if they kept allowing upwards of 70 per game and there was an improvement on Sunday night. They were still on the negative side of the count by seven but managed to restrict the Eagles to 54. This time the Power weren't as efficient going forward though, with five less shots on goal and as a result couldn't escape with the win. Hinkley would still like to reduce the number they allow to last year's average of 44 but of greater concern is their own inside 50 count. They haven't had more than 50 in the last three weeks and they had just six in the third quarter.
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2. Kennedy plays through the pain
There was belief during the week that Coleman Medal leader Josh Kennedy required season-ending elbow surgery. He still might, but he opted to play through the pain. He had a reasonably quiet start to the game and it was a worrying sign when he came to the bench midway through the second quarter carrying his troublesome arm awkwardly. He continued to play and stamped his authority in the third term with six marks and four shots at goal but he could only convert one of them into a major. He could've broken the game open as Port's defence was overwhelmed by West Coast inside 50s but in the end it didn't matter. Kennedy finished with 14 possessions, nine marks and 1.3 in a decent performance.
3. Eagles' ruck rules
On paper, the Power have the best big man combo in the competition but on Sunday night, the Eagles dominated the ruck. Nic Naitanui and Callum Sinclair had their own way at the stoppages against Matthew Lobbe and Paddy Ryder. They won the hit-out count 58-36 which gave the Eagles midfielders first use. They also won the contested possessions (134-131) and Adam Simpson would've been extremely proud of their performance. This is a huge win for the Eagles away from home against a top-four contender and it moves them to 4-2 and up to second place on the ladder behind the flawless Fremantle.
4. Honest Hartlett
It's not often you see a player admit an error, especially when it costs them a goal. That's what happened late in the first quarter though, when Hamish Hartlett's set shot at goal looked the goods to the goal umpire who was ready to signal a goal. But Hartlett immediately pointed out it brushed the post and the umpires called a review. Sure enough it hit the post and order was restored. It's great to see such sportsmanship still exists in our great game.
5. Dogged defence
West Coast has a depleted backline due to injuries to Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown but its back six stood up when it counted on Sunday night. Led by Jeremy McGovern who continues to be a revelation in 2015, the Eagles withheld a final quarter inside-50 onslaught from the Power (19-10). From those 19 inside-50s, Port managed just 2.2 and West Coast's performance under pressure was outstanding. Simpson lauded the efforts of Will Schofield too who's developed from a running wingman to a key position player.
