CATS TOO GOOD FOR EAGLES
Ben Jensen 8 May 2016

AFL ROUND 7 2016: GEELONG CATS V WEST COAST EAGLES GEELONG was tested at times but defeated West Coast comfortably after a stunning final quarter, winning by 44 points. Trailing at the first break the Cats launched a blitz against the Eagles, outscoring them seven goals to one for the quarter to take a 35 point lead into the main break. The lead stretched to 51 points early in the second half and a serious belting looked on the cards, but the Eagles had other ideas, booting five unanswered goals to slash the lead to just three kicks. A late steadier by Josh Caddy got the match back under control, the Cats leading by 18 points at three-quarter time. The first four goals of the final term put the result beyond any doubt, the Eagles' three goals not enough to make the score more respectable.

In terms of the best players it was midfielders again who stood out along with Shane Kersten up forward who played a great game from start to finish and was rewarded with three goals. Best on ground should be between Joel Selwood and Steve Motlop. Patrick Dangerfield again was great though not quite as good as these two. Jimmy Bartel and Caddy had plenty of the ball and used it bell as always. Nic Naitanui was named the Eagles' best but Geelong ruckmen Zac Smith and Rhys Stanley certainly held their own, Stanley contributing one goal.

Down back Lachie Henderson is really starting to fit in. Tom Lonergan and Harry Taylor had hard days at the office with the dangerous Eagle forwards Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Mark Le Cras but would be happy enough with the result. Andrew Mackie contributed another one of his trademark long bomb goals in the final quarter bringing the house down. Dan Menzel didn't quite get as much of the ball as in previous weeks while fellow forward Lincoln McCarthy suffered a rolled ankle early on in the game and missed most of the match, and will probably miss next week's game in Adelaide. Menzel must be due a rest soon too having played five games in a row now.

Next game is Friday night against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium; Dangerfield's long awaited first game against his old side, though he played at the same venue against Port Adelaide a couple weekends ago. Adelaide is four and three this season winning all three home games so far so it will be quite the test. They lost by fifteen points to the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night and will want to retain their place in the eight.

In the VFL the Cats lost to Essendon at Windy Hill by 21 points.

GEELONG: 2.4, 9.7, 12.11, 18.15 (123) DEFEATED
WEST COAST: 3.1, 4.2, 9.5, 12.7 (79)

GOALS
GEELONG: Motlop 4, Hawkins 3, Kersten 3, Guthrie 2, Stanley, Bartel, Caddy, Cockatoo, Mackie, Menzel
WEST COAST: Kennedy 3, Darling 3, Lycett 2, Cripps, Hill, Le Cras, Jetta

BEST
GEELONG: Motlop, Dangerfield, Bartel, Selwood, Caddy, Kersten
WEST COAST: Naitanui, McGovern, Sheppard, Masten

CHANGES
GEELONG: Nil
WEST COAST: Nil

INJURIES
GEELONG: Nakia Cockatoo (calf), Lincoln McCarthy (ankle)
WEST COAST: Nil reports

REPORTS: Nil

UMPIRES: Dalgliesh, Jeffery, O'Gorman

CROWD: 25,429 at Simonds Stadium, Geelong

VIEW FROM THE FRED FLANAGAN ROOM, COURTESY WELCON HOMES