Geelong’s premiership defence clicked further into overdrive after a first-half goal blitz turned an early fright into a clinical 47-point victory against West Coast.
After conceding the first two majors, the Cats awoke from their early nap to blast the next 12 unanswered to leave the Eagles gasping.
Cats star Jeremy Cameron.Credit: Getty Images
West Coast fell behind by 77 points at one stage in the third quarter and a real demolition job looked on the cards, but to their credit the depleted underdogs refused to lie down.
They bossed large stretches of the second half, although in fairness their fightback arrived well after the verdict had been decided.
The Eagles’ belated rearguard aside, the only real dampener for Geelong came when Tyson Stengle exited the match clutching his left wrist after a hard tackle from Josh Rotham in the shadows of half-time.
Esava Ratugolea’s rebounding and intercepting was an early feature – his work on the last line of defence single-handedly prevented West Coast from building a bigger early lead.
The Eagles fought back but were soundly beaten.Credit: Getty Images
Coleman Medal leader Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins and Brad Close slotted four goals each, while Patrick Dangerfield’s first half was as impressive as Tom Stewart’s second half in defence in the line of the Eagles’ late fire.
Mr Versatile Mark Blicavs was involved in everything – kicking goals, pinch-hitting in ruck and completely shutting down Tim Kelly before half-time.
Jake Waterman and Oscar Allen kicked four apiece, while Jamaine Jones’ run and creativity was damaging at times, particularly early when the Eagles were all over the reigning premiers who, as they did on Easter Monday against Hawthorn, took some time to warm to their task.
Their slumber was briefer this time, but their riposte was no less brutal.
Against the Hawks, a 10.5-to-nil third quarter turned that contest around and sparked Geelong’s dormant campaign into action.
This time, after a slow opening 15 minutes, the Cats conjured a not dissimilar 12.3-to-0.4 purple patch to put the contest to bed, although West Coast did show more resolve than Hawthorn did a week earlier.
Geelong bulged their 18-point quarter-time edge into a 64-point cushion at half-time.
At one stage the Cats had five goals on the board in the second term, by which time West Coast had chalked up only six disposals in total.
Zach Tuohy serenely baulked past Tom Barrass, casually took a bounce and curled through a marvellous major to the River End, before Cameron, nailed the first of his four – all scored in that quarter.
Kelly broke the shackles after the long break, while Allen and Waterman continued to make life difficult for Geelong’s defenders to pilot West Coast’s valiant but always forlorn fightback.
HAWK STALKS DOWN STICKS
When Hawkins slotted Geelong’s first six-pointer, he equalled Carlton legend Stephen Kernahan on the all-time VFL/AFL goalkicking leaderboard.
The evergreen spearhead, who turns 35 in July, then moved past Glenelg born-and-bred Kernahan into outright 17th spot when he threaded a beauty from a tight angle later in the opening term – the 739th of his career – as the merciless Cats forwards really started filling their boots.
CATS IN COMMAND
Geelong’s second-quarter onslaught began with an almighty bang.
Rhys Stanley won the opening tap, which was pouched by the explosive Dangerfield, who burst away from Jai Culley.
Dangerfield’s spearing pass landed on the chest of the leading Hawkins in front of Barrass and the big Cat duly slotted his third major inside the first 30 seconds of the term.
They piled on eight more for the quarter to put the Eagles to the sword.
BEST
Geelong: Blicavs, Dangerfield, Stewart, Cameron, Hawkins, Close, Ratugolea. West Coast: Waterman, Jones, Allen, Duggan, Darling, Kelly.
