There was a moment with seven minutes remaining in the game that summed up the impact Easton Wood had on last night’s ten-point win over Richmond.

The dangerous Jack Riewoldt had found some space in an empty forward line, and looked to take a certain mark.  A goal would have extended the Richmond lead to 12 in a low scoring contest.

Then Easton Wood happened.   The closing speed, the composure, the spoil.

"Easton Wood saved us, as well as a lot of the backline players, especially late in the game," Daniel Giansircusa told Channel Seven’s Game Day on Sunday.

“We had some really critical contests, and we know Woody, his intercept marks are probably the best in the competition.

“He really stood up in what was a pretty hard night because we turned the footy over a lot.”

Wood collected 20 touches across half back at 90% efficiency, took eight marks and led the team with five one percenters.  If it was cricket, you’d call it a captain’s knock.

He’s come a long way in a short period of time, Wood, and Giansircusa credits coaches Luke Beveridge and Rohan Smith with the skipper’s development.

“He showed potential [early in his career], obviously it’s a credit to Bevo coming in, but Rohan Smith and Easton have done a fair bit of work on that intercept mark play.

“They’ve really backed him in to use his confidence and go for the footy, whereas he was a more of an arm-across type defender until Bevo came along.

“So, they’ve given him that confidence and has really stepped it up as captain while Bob’s been out. “

Last night was Exhibit A.