1. Melbourne can match it with the big boys
Surely Sunday's win will give Melbourne the belief it needs to stamp its finals credentials once and for all. Too often the Demons have looked destined for bigger things in 2018, before providing doubters with ammunition. Against West Coast, Melbourne was on from the outset and rebuffed countless spirited challenges to win by 17 points. Pleasingly for Simon Goodwin, the Demons emerged on top in areas considered crucial to a premiership campaign. Melbourne won the count for contested possessions (159-137), inside 50s (55-47), clearances (43-29), centre clearances (16-14), disposals (386-360), and contested marks (13-12). Simon Goodwin's men have beaten a finals-bound team away from home and boast a formula that stands up under pressure. Moreover – barring a disaster the likes of which we've never seen – they'll finish in the top eight for the first time since 2006. Watch this space. 

2. Another crucial Eagle bites the dust

West Coast entered Sunday's contest without its three most important players in Nic Naitanui (ACL), Josh Kennedy (leg) and Andrew Gaff (suspension). Losing its fourth – Jack Darling, to concussion – proved the tipping point. Darling was knocked out in a tackle by defender Oscar McDonald 10 minutes into the first term and failed the subsequent concussion testing. Adam Simpson used Jeremy McGovern inside 50 for a little over a quarter before falling back on second-string ruck-forward Nathan Vardy as the primary marking target. Vardy stood up to the task, plucking two contested marks and roosting an important third-quarter goal from outside 50 when his team needed it most. Willie Rioli (three goals) was among his team's best and improved the longer the day went, while a handful of others looked dangerous at times. But in the end, Darling could very well have provided the point of difference the Eagles needed. His return is crucial to their prospects in September.

3. No matter how dire the circumstances, McGovern belongs down back
With the obvious exception of last week's Hail Mary against Port Adelaide – and other similar situations – Jeremy McGovern belongs in defence. When shifted forward to cover for Jack Darling, McGovern provided a target and some structural predictability. But what West Coast gained inside 50 paled in comparison to the stability they lost in defence. With McGovern out of the picture, Melbourne pounced on the ball carrier, forced a string of haphazard exits and generated 30 entries to 19 in the first half alone. McGovern shifted back to his natural post early in the third quarter and posed a conundrum Melbourne took time to overcame. He can take a grab and performs outstandingly well under pressure, but it's worth resisting the temptation to use McGovern as a spearhead for extended periods. Not many benefit from robbing Peter to pay Paul. 

4. The Hogan-less Dees are just as threatening
Who is Jesse Hogan, again? Melbourne's forward structure looked as dangerous as it has all year against one of the competition's most competent defensive units, even without its star key forward. The Demons persisted with a smaller set-up – made trendy by reigning premier Richmond – and benefitted from space inside 50 to have nine goalkickers. Jake Melksham (four goals), Mitch Hannan (three) and Tom McDonald (three) are all competitive one-on-one, play to their strengths and understand each other's games. Perhaps more importantly, Melbourne is manic in its pursuit of the ball-carrier and consistently generated repeat entries even when delivery into the arc was haphazard. There are a lot of things to get going with. 

5. West Coast can't afford another slip-up

The difference between second and fourth for the Eagles is enormous. A win on Sunday would've secured a top-two berth, a home final in Optus Stadium and a guided path to the last Saturday in September. Beat Brisbane at the Gabba and that prospect is still achievable. But knocking off the Lions is by no means the task it was when the season kicked off. Lose and the Eagles have to fall back on results involving Collingwood and Hawthorn. The Magpies, who face Fremantle at Optus Stadium, pose the greatest threat, with Fremantle's formline by no means encouraging for West Coast supporters. Another tense finish beckons for fans of the blue and yellow.