1. Déjà vu for Suns
Ten days in Perth must have seemed like a lifetime for Gold Coast. The Suns arrived undefeated after two rounds but leave with a 2-2 record and a significantly diminished percentage. While they were respectable against Fremantle they have now lost all seven clashes with West Coast in Perth, four by more than 70 points. This one was over midway through the second term when Jamie Cripps kicked three goals in seven minutes as the Eagles led by 54 points at half-time.
EAGLES FLYING HIGH: Full match details and stats
2. Kennedy eases into his return
Eagles spearhead Josh Kennedy averaged five goals a game against Gold Coast before Saturday night (35 goals in seven games, kicking five goals or more five times). So it was just the Suns’ luck that he returned against them after missing the first three games of the season with injury. He didn’t go too crazy but was always a danger given the Eagles all-around dominance. Going by his form against the Suns, his night was right on his average, kicking just the lazy five goals. He is now just one goal behind Peter Sumich’s club record of 514 goals and could still grab another Coleman Medal.
WATCH: Kennedy gets back amongst it
3. Barlow calling
Former Docker Michael Barlow hasn’t been able to crack a game so far this season but must be close after the two weeks the Suns endured in Perth. Aaron Hall had a stinker against Fremantle a week ago, and while he was much better in his 100th game, he will one of several Suns keen to raise their level against Brisbane next weekend. Barlow played NEAFL against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday so should be primed to deliver if called upon for Queensland’s big game.
4. Milestone men shine for Eagles
It was a double celebration at West Coast with Nic Naitanui playing his 150th game and Mark LeCras his 200th. Nic Nat started by taking clean possession at the initial centre bounce before pumping the ball forward. He did that at another two early bounces to illustrate what he brings to this side. LeCras had a quieter start but looked a certainty to get a goal when running free inside the forward 50m arc before Willie Rioli decided he needed his first AFL goal more. LeCras did get a couple of goals including being on the end of the passage of night, a slick Harlem Globetrotters-like move through the middle featuring Lewis Jetta.
WATCH: Willie Rioli snubs LeCras
5. Lynch mob
We didn’t get the match-up between the soon-to-be-free agents Jeremy McGovern and Tom Lynch with Tom Barrass sent to the Gold Coast skipper. But McGovern was never far away, floating in to help out and snare some fine marks, 13 in all, five of them contested. Lynch stood tall for his side as well, booting three goals from limited opportunities. The only worrying sign came when Lynch started limping after landing awkwardly in a marking contest during the third term. The Suns will desperately need him for next week’s QClash at the Gabba.
