Geelong has held back an improved West Coast outfit to take their ninth win of the season with 18 points.
The triumph also sees Chris Scott’s men back into the top four, for what is arguably the easiest run home of all the top four contenders.
In enemy territory, the Cats struggled their way to the top early on as danger signs grew for West Coast fans who had seen their side lose seven of their last eight by more than 50 points.
But similar scenes wouldn’t follow as Adam Simpson got an enhanced effort from his troops. The crowd at Optus Stadium was so shocked by the Eagles’ four consecutive goals in the second term to set the ledger straight that they just stood there applauding.
Eagles are IN 1!
📺 Look #AFLEaglesCats on ch.504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/ETLEPTY3vx
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/bMslnLuhT7
🔢 MATCH CENTER https://t.co/yKNq8fXFK7 pic.twitter.com/su1d4tSTPg— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) June 18, 2022
They took the lead by a point early in their third term, but were 66 seconds in front when Geelong immediately struck back through Isaac Smith.
Key striker Tom Hawkins also scored his 700th goal in the Premiership quarter, finishing with 3.2 from ten possession.
Tom Hawkins will be third @GeelongCats player to kick 700 V/AFL targets 😻
Congratulations, @tomhawkins_ #AFLEaglesCats pic.twitter.com/VL4HQ8Dc1h
— AFL (@AFL) June 18, 2022
Despite much momentum in the final term, West Coast missed their chances, but the Cats did enough when the game was on the line to leave Perth with the precious four points.
Attention now turns to the seriousness of Jeremy McGovern’s rib injury.
The Eagles were their best team for just over 15 minutes this season until McGovern was cleared by a knee of Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron. The 30-year-old struggled to get up and was submerged shortly after.
This is the hit that forced McGovern out of the game and took a shot to the ribs.
📺 Look #AFLEaglesCats on ch.504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/ETLEPTY3vx
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/bMslnLuhT7
🔢 MATCH CENTER https://t.co/yKNq8fXFK7 pic.twitter.com/ivgAvHY5r6— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) June 18, 2022
He missed games earlier this year with a back injury, but has been the West Coast’s most consistent player this season when they hit the field.
Despite the fate that awaits McGovern, the West Coast finally got the ducks in a row on Saturday and the result was much better than many feared.
McGovern was joined in the ins by Elliot Yeo (22 disposals, nine points), Willie Rioli (12 disposals, one goal) and Luke Shuey (20 disposals, five tackles), with further troops returning later in the season.
TOTAL SCORE
west coast: 2.3, 6.5, 8.6, 9.9. (63)
Geelong: 4.4, 6.5, 11.6, 12.9. (81)
GOALS
west coast: Cripps 2, Waterman 2, Kennedy 2, Petruccelle, Rioli, West
Geelong: Stengle 3, Hawkins 3, Menegola 2, Smith, Duncan, Cameron, Close
BEST
west coast: Rescue, Cripps, Aquarius, Barrass, Gaff
Geelong: C. Guthrie, Menegola, Atkins, Stengle, Tuohy
Injuries
west coast: McGovern (Ribs)
Geelong: N/A
