Bookends lead the way against star-studded Eagles

If the North Melbourne game was the best performance of 2015, Saturday night’s draw with West Coast was almost as good. Given the enormous gulf in class and experience between the two sides, to walk away with two premiership points was a moral victory in some ways. It was difficult not to focus on who wasn’t there in the build up to Saturday night, particularly when you looked at how far down the order the Eagles bat in the midfield. The bookends – Tom Lynch and Steven May – not only continued their great form, they produced a performance chiselled from leadership. It’s easy to forget just how young the pair is. They are already two stars of the competition that are slowly gaining more attention in football dominant states.

May continues his purple patch with Kennedy shut out

Tom Lynch drew the lion's share of the praise following Saturday night’s epic performance, and rightly so, but Steven May was arguably more influential on the final result. The SUNS key defender went head-to-head with Coleman medal leader Josh Kennedy and almost completely shut him out. Kennedy gathered just six possessions and three marks, to go with two goals – although one was no fault of May’s after minimal pressure higher up the ground resulting in a methodical entry that was unstoppable to defend. May finished with 16 possessions, 12 spoils, four rebound 50s and four inside 50s, but it was the manner in which he halved or won contests against the premier spearhead in the game. For the third week in a row, May has beaten the opposition’s best forward and one of the best in the caper. His second half to 2015 has been in the top echelon of defenders in the game.

Lynch performance wrung from true leadership

He may not have been as prolific as he has been in recent weeks, but he produced another performance that oozed leadership. He is of course Tom Lynch. His final two goals of the game were right out of the top drawer, and speak volumes of his ability to deliver when it is most needed. Lynch’s mark in the dying seconds was reminiscent of Leo Barry’s in the 2005 Grand Final, flying in from the side like a high jumper making a desperate leap for gold. His goal just before the siren to tie the score is the definition of clutch. It was his fourth of the game, and the third time in six weeks he has nailed a haul of four. In the absence of Gary Ablett and Michael Rischitelli, Lynch was handed the metaphorical captain’s armband. It may seem slightly meaningless, but his performance as the leader epitomises where he sits inside Metricon Stadium. In a year that has produced minimal joy, his performance against the Eagles, in adverse circumstances, will be one of the first memories that spring to mind when thinking about 2015.

Another week, another statement from Bennell

Two weeks is hardly sufficient time to judge him on, but Harley Bennell has made an emphatic statement in the last fortnight. He might have had 39 touches against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, but against West Coast on Saturday night, he produced a more valuable performance at a time where Rodney Eade needed him most. With the SUNS best five midfielders sitting in the stands, and West Coast’s midfield in full flight, Bennell lead an undermanned and inexperienced engine room. Whilst Matt Priddis (34 possessions), Luke Shuey (33 possessions), Andrew Gaff (28 possessions) and Chris Masten (30 possessions) still collected plenty of ball, it wasn’t in the same vein as when Sydney came to Metricon Stadium earlier in the year. Bennell not only did his damage with ball in hand – he collected a team-high 28 disposals, seven clearances, seven tackles and six marks – his pressure was at a high standard. Given the challenges he has faced, his last two weeks have been enormous.

Engine room effort must not be underestimated

West Coast’s engine room is arguably the best in the game. If not right now, then they are closing in on that mantle. They bat incredibly deep and have such a diverse range of onballers. That’s what makes the SUNS performance against such class that little bit more impressive. Tom Nicholls didn’t let Nic Naitanui dictate play like he has this season. For the second time this season, the SUNS ruckman nullified the All Australian, reducing his ability to provide silver service. Bennell was superb, and for the second consecutive week Aaron Hall, Brandon Matera and Jesse Lonergan thrived on more time between the arcs. Rising Star contender Touk Miller was brilliant in the first-half before slowing after the main break as he battled injury. If those voting on the game’s most coveted young player award wanted further vindication of his value, they could do worst than going over his first-half once more. Jack Martin spent most of his night up forward but went into the middle at times with great effect. His classy ball use and deft work by hand stood out. He will undoubtedly improve by an extended spell on the ground in the final five weeks.