1. Rhys Stanley hitting his stride heading into September 

The importance of stability in the ruck becomes clear in Finals, and Rhys Stanley will enter Week One with plenty of momentum after a fine display against West Coast.  

Stanley collected 16 disposals and booted two goals last Saturday, while also winning 33 hit-outs and four clearances. 

What might be the most impressive stat from Stanley’s outing was that he recorded 12 score involvements, the fourth most score involvements of any player in the competition in Round 24.  

Only one ruckman in the entire 2024 season has had more than 12 score involvements in a single game, while also being an equal career high for Stanley across his 208 game career.  

2. Cameron's Conversion Rate

Any observer of Saturday’s game would have been in awe of Jeremy Cameron’s performance, but what could be easily overlooked is just how accurate the spearhead was in front of goal.  

With a season conversion rate of 51.8%, Cameron calmly converted nine goals from ten scoring shots against the Eagles, with eight of his goals coming from set shots.  

Cameron had kicked 25 goals and 19 behinds in his last nine games but had no trouble finding the big sticks last Saturday.  

3. Elite Atkins finds his best on the eve of the Finals 

September footy brings tight, tough, contested matches and Tom Atkins is a player who perfectly fits the mould for what to expect in Finals.  

Atkins was brilliant against the Eagles on Saturday, collecting 22 disposals and an equal game high seven clearances.  

The Cats midfield bull also laid nine tackles against West Coast, collecting an equal team high 10 contested possessions in a typical Tom Atkins performance.