A long and torturous season comes to a historically bad end for the Eagles and their fans. I cannot reiterate enough this carnage isn’t Andrew McQualters doing, but it’s certainly his problem now.

What I liked … The Eagles clearly have a lack of talent but they did particularly well dragging the Swans into the trenches. Creating immense pressure doesn’t rely on skill, but determination. The Eagles displayed a level of pressure that is a necessity to keeping them competitive in future games. The perfect example of what happens when they take the foot off the gas. First half we a seven-point lead, second half a movie we’ve seen on repeat for four years, 13 goals to 1.

What I didn’t like … Kicking the ball inside 50. Poor decisions or just players lacking skill. After half time the inability to use the ball going inside 50 was deplorable. Kicking the ball inside 50 is seen as the most difficult kick in the game. The Eagles melted, making either horrible decisions or just players lacking the skill to kick the ball to a slightly advantageous position for the forwards.

What I would like to see … I have a feeling Andrew McQualter has a nice little streak of old school coaching in him. I would love to see him reintroduce some old fashion football regularities. Every player is expected to meet their time trial requirements, body competition at acceptable levels or else you’re in a club I was a member of from time to time – Fat Club. Time for the standards to get a little old school.

Fremantle

What I liked … The second-quarter blitz was remarkable, a brand of footy the Dockers wish they could bottle. Fast, attacking and aggressive. I have been critical at times how the three tall Docker forwards have worked, but I must tip my hat. Nine goals between Voss, Treacy and Amiss. Amiss, the third banana was outstanding when the teams back was to the wall. Hopefully a sign of things to come in September.

What I didn’t like … Hard to be at all critical of Sundays performance, if pressed to highlight anything, the clearances around the ground were massively in favour of the Bulldogs 29 to 15. In a final Witts, Rowell, Miller and Anderson – if they face Gold Coast – will feast if those numbers aren’t slightly levelled. Easy answer – Hayden Young will play more than 65 per cent game time.

What I would like to see … A quick start. Finals are difficult when chasing from behind. Three of the last four games the Dockers have been flat to start to the game; 15 points against Western Bulldogs, 15 points against Brisbane and 12 against Carlton. Dockers with a quarter-time lead at home are going to be very hard to run down.