1. Gray unstoppable the second time around
Limiting Robbie Gray's impact was crucial to West Coast’s shock win against the Power in round seven. The Eagles seemed to follow the blueprint for three quarters on Sunday, holding him to just eight possessions. But the 29-year-old's impact in the final term can't be understated. Gray hit Justin Westhoff and Jackson Trengove lace out for consecutive goals. His next play – a strong pack mark and neat conversion from 40m out – gave his team a three-goal buffer, as did his second goal of the term from the same position. Gray finished with five disposals, three marks, two goals and two goal assists for the quarter, proving the difference when the match was up for grabs.

2. The Power's coach killer
When the game is tight, the last thing a coach wants to see is his team concede a soft free-kick. Let alone a downfield free kick. Let alone a 50m penalty. With ball in hand 80m from goal Nathan Vardy was pleasantly surprised to find himself marshalled inside 50 after Port defender Dan Houston put Sam Mitchell down off the ball. Brad Ebert then strolled unwittingly through the mark and Vardy converted from the goalsquare to bring West Coast within touching distance. It didn't matter in the end, but you can bet Hinkley's troops will be a little more diligent next week.

3. Maligned Eagles forwards stand up to be counted
Having frustrated fans with 0.9 in his last four games, West Coast needed recalled forward Mark LeCras somewhere near his best to match Port Adelaide's potent attacking setup. The 30-year-old didn't pull out anything mercurial, but was clever with his running patterns and found space behind the Power's pacy defenders to kick four goals from 13 disposals. Teammate Jack Darling continued his resurgent form with four goals and five marks but perhaps more impressive was the 25-year-old's intent. When the ball was kicked into space, Darling led at full tilt and launched himself with the kind of confidence he showed in his impressive debut season. Darling's work-rate was also prolific inside 50 and further up the ground.

4. First quarter sets the tone
The first-quarter battle between two fast-starting teams – Port Adelaide has won 10 of 15 first terms (second in the AFL) and the Eagles nine of 15 (equal third) – was played in two intriguing stages. The Power burst out the blocks and threatened to break the game open with four consecutive goals on the back of incisive ball movement and five of the first seven centre clearances. But in a bizarre shift in momentum, the Eagles dominated in the midfield from there, winning clearances and inside 50s by five respectively, resulting in a 27-1 scoreline after the 13th minute.

5. What a stunning Power surge
What a difference 30 minutes can make. Deadlocked on 68 points with 8-6 records, West Coast and Port Adelaide were effectively vying for a top-four spot with just seven rounds to play. The match looked in the balance for a brief moment when LeCras levelled the scores after a Charlie Dixon major. But result was the Power’s thereafter, as Hinkley’s men – spurred on by Gray, Dixon, Paddy Ryder and Jackson Trengove – kicked seven of the last nine goals to run out 32-point winners. Port Adelaide now sits inside the top four, 21 per cent ahead of fifth-placed Melbourne, and should go in as firm favourites in five of their last seven games. Conversely, the Eagles drop to ninth with challenging games against the Saints, Giants and Crows to come. Sunday's final quarter could be a sliding doors moment.

More on portadelaidefc.com.au...