Geelong’s Stunning Finish Crushes West Coast Despite Early Eagle Fightback
Last night at Optus Stadium, Geelong put on a masterclass in closing out a game, delivering a powerful performance that secured a commanding 43-point victory over the West Coast Eagles. From the outset, the match was intense and competitive, with the Eagles showing flashes of fight, especially in the middle quarters. But in the end, it was Geelong’s relentless pressure and experience in the final term that truly made the difference.
Geelong coach Chris Scott wasn’t surprised by his team’s strong finish. He knew, based on recent games, that the Cats had become one of the best teams at closing out matches. Even when West Coast threatened to get within a kick early in the last quarter, Scott had faith his side would respond—and respond they did, booting seven of the last eight goals, led by Jeremy Cameron who kicked four goals in quick succession to seal the game.
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Scott admitted there was a bit of frustration with how the first quarter went, feeling Geelong controlled the play but didn’t capitalize on the scoreboard as much as they could have. But he also gave credit to West Coast’s progress under new coach Andrew McQualter, acknowledging the Eagles were a far tougher opponent than earlier in the season. The Eagles, in fact, did mount a strong comeback after a slow start, led by co-captain Oscar Allen and rising star Harley Reid, fighting hard in the middle quarters and keeping the match competitive.
McQualter himself was left lamenting West Coast’s sluggish start, especially in the first quarter when they were overwhelmed by Geelong’s pressure. But he praised his players’ fightback, noting their resilience and the way his backline competed strongly to hold Geelong’s star forward Jeremy Cameron to just one goal until late in the final term. Still, Cameron’s brilliance shone through when it mattered most, breaking free to add four critical goals in the closing stages.
Key performances from Geelong players were instrumental in the win. Bailey Smith was outstanding, collecting a game-high 38 disposals and constantly driving the ball forward, while Gryan Miers was a force with 26 disposals and 13 marks, including two goals that kept Geelong in front early. Max Holmes and Mitch Duncan also delivered excellent performances, combining to rack up incredible metres gained and setting up several scoring opportunities.
This win keeps Geelong in a strong position on the ladder and builds momentum heading into their next big clash against Gold Coast. Meanwhile, West Coast can take heart from their improved competitiveness and the promise shown by younger players, though McQualter will be keen to address that slow start if they want to climb higher this season.
All in all, it was a thrilling encounter that showcased the Cats’ experience and composure, especially in the dying minutes, while the Eagles demonstrated they’re far from a beaten team and ready to challenge tougher opponents as the season progresses.
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