1. GIANTS’ top-four hopes take a hit
GWS looked set to move closer to securing a top-four berth and a double chance in the finals when it led by 17 points in time-on of the final term. However, Nic Naitanui's last quarter heroics have left the GIANTS at 14 wins and six losses with two rounds remaining. The league's newest club trails ladder-leaders Hawthorn by two games and could be as low as seventh when the weekend is over, should the Sydney Swans, Adelaide and Geelong all win.
2. Naitanui the match-winner as big man building back towards his best
Playing just his second game since missing two months due to a heel injury that required surgery, Nic Naitanui looked to be building towards his best form. Naitanui had an entertaining duel with veteran ruckman Shane Mumford at the stoppages and looked to be moving freely across the ground. And in the final term, Nic Nat lifted his effort to almost single-handedly drag his team over the line, kicking the winning goal right on the final siren.
3. Kennedy tightens his grip on Coleman
While the AFL won't call in the engravers just yet, Josh Kennedy's three goals against GWS moves him to 70 for the season, nine ahead of Gold Coast's Tom Lynch and Swans spearhead Lance Franklin. It could have been a far bigger haul for the Eagles forward, who missed three gettable chances in the opening half. Kennedy is on track to be the first back-to-back recipient of the Coleman Medal since Fraser Gehrig topped the goalkicking in 2004 and 2005.
4. Eagles pick perfect time to notch up away win
The one-point victory over GWS was not the first time the Eagles have enjoyed success away from home this year, having wins over Port in Adelaide, the Lions in Brisbane and Carlton in Melbourne. However, the GIANTS represent something of a breakthrough for West Coast, given GWS was the first top-eight side the club has beaten in 2016. It could prove the sort of significant win that propels West Coast to a fourth premiership in its 30-year history.
5. Concern for Kennedy after Tunbridge tackle
The match was stopped for five minutes in the final term after GIANTS running machine Adam Kennedy hit the ground hard in a heavy tackle from West Coast's Simon Tunbridge on centre wing. There were nine GIANTS trainers on the scene as the team's medical staff moved the 24-year-old onto the motorised stretcher, before he was taken off the ground to the applause of the crowd. Kennedy suffered back and shoulder injuries after landing heavily against Adelaide in round 10, but club medicos cleared him of concussion from that incident. Kennedy joined teammates on the interchange bench before the final siren.
