Cats outclassed by high-flying Eagles

West Coast 16. 5 (101) def. Geelong 15. 8 (98)

West Coast has defied the critics and stormed home to defeat Geelong by three points at Skilled Stadium this afternoon.

The Eagles showed they are more than a one-man team with a clinical second half disposal of the lacklustre Cats, who only three months ago took home the Pre-Season trophy with more spoils of success tipped to follow.

West Coast last celebrated victory down at sleepy hollow in Round 13 of the 1999 season, since then the two clubs have clashed on five occasions, and despite a 63-all draw in 2003, Geelong had an average win margin of 51 points.

Cats’ supporters were left speechless and watched in horror as the Eagles took the lead through a Daniel Kerr goal with five minutes to play, Geelong surrendered eight of the last 10 goals and crashed to a memorable defeat after they held a 54-point lead midway through the third quarter.

Amongst the best for Geelong were Joel Corey (36 disposals), James Kelly, Darren Milburn and Gary Ablett, while 'Big hairy Cat' Cameron Mooney showed his hit-man status with an unruly shove of Eagle Adam Hunter into the boundary fence during the first quarter that will hopefully come under the scrutiny of the match review panel.

Despite television commentators suggesting Mooney had his eyes on the ball, replays suggest otherwise. Fortunate Hunter did return though with a head wound bandaged.

Best for the Eagles were Daniel Kerr (31 disposals), Ben Cousins (31) and Chad Fletcher. Cousins and David Wirrpunda were amongst the Eagles who were targeted early in the game.

Late last year Nathan Ablett starred early for the Cats with three first quarter goals which helped set up a 76-point pummelling of the eventual Grand Finalists, however today his impact was thwarted by Eagles defensive duo of Wirrpunda and Darren Glass.

Ablett returned to the line-up this week in place of full forward Kent Kingsley who, after eight goals against the Kangaroos back in round two, has struggled to fire the ball through the big sticks since.

The Eagles were notably missing their key midfielder Chris Judd. The Brownlow medallist, and current captain, had many critics out in large this week proclaiming the WA based club is a one-man team and won’t win without him.

With their season on the line, Geelong resorted to the unsportsmanlike tactics and hit the Eagles hard in the first half, which clearly unsettled them immensely.

They made a blistering start through Gary Ablett and Paul Chapman, while Cousins booted the Eagles first major only to be taken from the field soon after when he was bowled over in the centre ruck contest.

Mooney sparked wild scenes from the Cattery crowd with his first goal in the 15th minute and again when collected his second five minutes later. Geelong was strolling at the first change after booting seven goals to two.

West Coast did show some fight and flare in the second quarter, however the Cats had the upper hand with some dubious umpiring interpretations going in their favour.

Injury concerns for West Coast just before the main interval with Adam Selwood assisted from the field with a left ankle injury, he returned and played on in the second half.

A bold attempted fight back from the Eagles was on early in the third term and Beau Waters delivered the first blow as he took out Tom Harley, the versatile Cat came off slightly concussed.

West Coast has had one memorable come from behind win at Geelong, in 1993 they trailed by 38 points and snatched victory, however any hope of a history repeat was almost dashed as Gary Ablett and Corey Enright put the margin over fifty during the third quarter.

However, from there the match was turned on its head with a run of four straight goals from the Eagles. Lynch and Rowan Jones from set shots close to goal, Tyson Stenglein and Andrew Embley from long range in general play. Even a goal on the siren from Jimmy Bartel failed to halt the momentum, which was now with the West Coast.

The fade out from the Cats was evident in the final quarter as Hunter slotted his first goal inside the opening minute. Another major from Mark Nicoski followed and the Eagles had six of the last seven, trailing by only 24 points.

An Eagles win was certain as Stenglein put through his first of two final quarter goals, it left the Cats’ heads on a spiral and would need an absolute miracle to turnaround.

West Coast finished the match strongly with seven last quarter goals that has seen them reclaim top spot on the table, this comeback win is now the best ever in the proud 20-year history of the Eagles.

Next week, Geelong host Essendon at the Telstra Dome on Friday night, while West Coast regroup for cellar dwellers Carlton at Subiaco Oval on Sunday afternoon.

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