1. Naitanui knee injury a huge blow to Eagles' premiership hopes

West Coast holds grave fears over a serious-looking knee injury suffered by star big man Nic Naitanui. The Eagles ruckman landed awkwardly on his right knee following an aerial contest with Pie Brodie Grundy, with coach Adam Simpson showing great concern. "It doesn't look great for his other knee," Simpson told Fox Footy at half-time. Naitanui missed the entire 2017 season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Should he be sidelined long-term with this injury, the Eagles' premiership hopes will have been dealt a huge blow. Emerging big man Scott Lycett would be the Eagles' No.1 ruckman, with Nathan Vardy a possibility to provide a chop out if recalled. Until then, the Eagles will wait with bated breath for the results of scans on Naitanui's knee.

PIES STREAK ENDS Full match coverage and stats

2. Eagles clip Magpie wings to surge to second spot on the ladder

West Coast has jumped into second position on the ladder after winning the battle with fellow top-four aspirant Collingwood. Port Adelaide could leap them before the weekend is over should they smash Fremantle in Perth, however the Eagles are in the box seat. They broke the Magpies' seven-game winning streak and won their first game against Collingwood at the MCG since 1995. In the process, West Coast also answered its critics and broke through for a much-needed win in Melbourne and on the road. With three of their last six games at Optus Stadium, the Eagles appear in good shape to finish in the top four, although the Naitanui injury may be a factor.  

3. West Coast spearheads return at right time

West Coast brought its big guns back the clash and after a shaky start it was no surprise to see the spearheads dig the side out of a hole. Josh Kennedy, returning from a hairline fracture in his leg in round 13, and Jack Darling (ankle in round 11) kicked the Eagles' first three goals of the contest. Kennedy gave the forward line the bite it had been lacking in previous weeks, with the star forward finishing with three goals. Darling's work rate to hit up at the ball carrier was noticeable, while Mark LeCras' craftiness around goals was equally significant. The trio have now kicked 86 goals between them for the season and they all shape as crucial to West Coast's finals hopes.

GAME BREAKER You shall not pass McGovern

4. Moore's positive return

Collingwood has made do with a makeshift back six since Lynden Dunn went down with a season-ending knee injury against Gold Coast in round 15. But after one-game back in the VFL, the Magpies decided to recall Darcy Moore for his first AFL match since injuring his hamstring against Geelong in round 11. Charged with containing Josh Kennedy, Moore was particularly influential in the first half where his ability to charge out at the football and impact aerial contests was crucial. The athletic defender finished with 14 disposals and six marks in a strong return. Yet to be re-signed and reportedly of interest to Sydney, Moore demonstrated his versatility and showed why he will be an important factor in Collingwood's finals campaign.

5. De Goey again delivers in front of goal, but Magpies fail to take advantage

Collingwood had just three individual goal kickers, but again Jordan De Goey underlined his class in front of the big sticks. De Goey kicked four of the Magpies' nine majors for the afternoon, bobbing up at crucial times to keep his side in the game. The powerful forward was thrown into the midfield in the final quarter to see if he could spark a Collingwood comeback, but looks most dangerous as the deepest target in attack. With Jeremy McGovern and Shannon Hurn patrolling down back, the Magpies could not get the ball to him enough. De Goey has now kicked 26 goals in 13 games this season.