CATS IN DESTROYATION OF EAGLES
Anthony Jensen 22 June 2008

By Anthony Jensen West Coast tried unsuccessfully to claw its way off the bottom 2 of the ladder at Subiaco tonight, with Geelong running away 135 point victors, a record win over the Eagles on that ground which was due in the most part to some more Gary Ablett brilliance in his 37 touches.

David Wojcinski was a late inclusion for Mathew Stokes, which may have prompted Geelong coach Mark Thompson’s decision to move Max Rooke forward.

GEELONG 7.3 13.6 23.10 28.14 (182) DEFEATED
WEST COAST 1.5 2.9 3.14 5.17 (47)

GOALS
GEELONG: Mooney 5, Chapman 5, Kelly 4, Ablett 2, Johnson 2, Lonergan 2, Rooke 2, Varcoe 2, Bartel, Mackie, Prismall, Taylor
WEST COAST: Lecras 3, Hunter, Cox

BEST
GEELONG: Gary Ablett, Mooney, Chapman, Kelly, Harley, Johnson (by consensus from Cats Claw)
WEST COAST: (None named)

UMPIRES: Donlon, Rosebury, Kamolins

CROWD: 38,414 at Subiaco Oval, Perth

INJURIES: Geelong: None reported Wet Coast : TBC - two players in hospital

REPORTS: Nil

GARY ABLETT GOAL
Courtesy 1YOTC: http://www.youtube.com/user/1YOTC

The Cats led from the front at the first bounce and held a comfortable lead for the entirety. Paul Chapman drew first blood with an opportunistic goal after being front and centre of the pack. He and resident hard nut Cam Mooney would each finish with 5 majors ahead of James Kelly who popped up with a career best 4 goals.

West Coast had plenty of chances early, but Eagles coach John Worsfold was visibly rueing Andrew Embley’s costly miss in front of goal. A 5-minute passage of play netting the Eagles 3 behinds was probably their most dominant period for the 4 quarters. One telling stat early on was Geelong’s supremacy in the handball department; leading 15 to the Eagles’ zero after 10 minutes.

From there it just got worst for West Coast who had no answers for Geelong’s constant attack and stalwart defence. ‘Gutsy’ Tom Lonergan was a big marking target up forward and had the best of his opponent in Darren Glass, while the other Tom of the Harley variety incessantly backed up with the flight of the ball to mark overhead in front of Quentin Lynch and co.

The Cats took a 63-point lead into half time and never looked like halting in their assault. This was the last we would see of Adam Selwood who headed for the locker rooms and later to hospital, owing to some friendly ‘chin music’ from Steve Johnson.

The second half saw Ablett amass more effective possessions, with one hard ball get and a well-weighted kick helping to set up Mooney’s 3rd goal. The majority of Geelong’s goals came from turnovers resulting from West Coast skill errors, and Mooney’s 4th which he booted off the ground was a prime example.

Ruckman Dean Cox had what looked to be a mattress strapped to his right leg and a noticeable limp but was still among his side’s best, winning most ruck contests and notching up 1 goal. Daniel Kerr also offered a respectful performance, getting 22 touches under the watchful eye of specialist tagger and ex- full forward Cameron Ling.

Geelong finished with a 5 goal to 2 last quarter in what was an embarrassing match for the Eagles but a message to the rest of the competition. The Cats have a week off courtesy of the split round and face Adelaide on July 4th.