RESURGENT Geelong's blistering start to 2016 has continued with a 44-point hammering of a disappointing West Coast, which will be facing the blowtorch after another sub-standard effort on the road.
In what loomed as Geelong's biggest test since an Easter Monday triumph over Hawthorn, the Cats dominated the second term and withstood a third-quarter Eagles blitz to notch a 18.15 (123) to 12.7 (79) victory at Simonds Stadium.
A packed house at the Cattery was treated to an impressive display and the hype is bubbling away with Chris Scott's men climbing to the top of the AFL ladder courtesy of their fifth-straight win.
Saturday's contest was an arm-wrestle early, with both sides sizing each other up in the opening term, before the Cats found their range and blew Saturday's clash wide-open with a seven-goal-to-one second term.
Five talking points: Geelong v West Coast
Twin terrors Joel Selwood (35 disposals) and Patrick Dangerfield (25) ran rampant, but it was livewire Steven Motlop who stole the show.
Motlop bagged three of his four majors – and handed off another on a silver platter to Tom Hawkins – as the Cats went to the rooms 35 points in front.
The margin ballooned to 51 points midway through the third term and the Cats' percentage looked poised for an even bigger boost until the Eagles finally sprung to life with five goals in a stunning seven-minute blitzkrieg.
Remarkably, a repeat dose of West Coast's miraculous 54-point comeback at Simonds Stadium in 2006 – the Eagles' last win in Geelong - looked possible as the margin closed to 19 points.
But a botched handball by Matt Priddis in the centre square resulted in a goal to Josh Caddy and surrendered all the momentum and it was party-time for the home side in the final term.
"We were happy that we played well - we knew we needed to," Geelong coach Chris Scott said.
Cats' early optimism looking well-founded: Scott
"We saw a patch in the third quarter that reflected how dominant they can be. They're really potent when they win the ball in the centre clearance the way they did.
"(Nic) Naitanui was always going to be hard to stop.
WATCH: The Steven Motlop show
"But on balance we defended really strongly bar that patch, and our attacking system looks pretty good as well."
It was a brave win by the Cats, who lost Lincoln McCarthy (ankle) in the first term and had fellow speedster Nakia Cockatoo (knee) operating below his best.
And after wins over strugglers the Brisbane Lions, Essendon, Port Adelaide and Gold Coast, this was the triumph that will end doubts over Geelong's top-four credentials.
But for the Eagles, it was another damning road defeat that will raise more questions about whether Adam Simpson's side is a genuine contender.
Simpson prepares for media scrutiny
West Coast won six games away from Perth last year on the way to a shock Grand Final berth, but the Eagles have looked miles off that pace after away beltings from Hawthorn, the Sydney Swans and Geelong.
"I thought around the ball (was the problem). The first quarter I thought we held our own and we were marginally in front at quarter-time," Simpson said post-match.
"The second quarter (seven goals to one) really blew the game apart but it was around the contest for us.
"Contested ball there wasn't too much difference, but the way we got it was always after a little fumble … they were just too clean and too strong around the ball."
Clearance, fend-off, handball, goal. Cam Guthrie does it all for the @GeelongCats! #ohwhatafeeling #AFLCatsEagles https://t.co/VavpzIqAVm
— AFL (@AFL) May 7, 2016
Only a handful of Eagles could hold their heads high on Saturday, with Jeremy McGovern (21 disposals, eight marks) and Brad Sheppard (24) battling against the odds in defence, and Chris Masten (22) trying hard in the midfield.
Recruit Lewis Jetta (nine) had another quiet day as the former Swan struggles adjusting to life in his new colours and ex-Lions midfielder Jack Redden (13) also cut a frustrated figure.
Eight Cats racked up more than 20 touches, with Jimmy Bartel (28, one goal) producing a vintage performance, while the new wave of Josh Caddy (25, one goal), Mitch Duncan (24) and Cam Guthrie (24, two goals) were strong all day.
McCarthy's injury aside, the only sour note for Geelong was Rhys Stanley's report for a heavy bump on Sheppard.
The Eagles defender wasn't badly hurt, which could save the big Cat when the Match Review Panel releases its findings on Monday.
3QT: @GeelongCats 12.11 (83) lead @WestCoastEagles 9.5 (59). Caddy's cracker helped stem the flow. #AFLCatsEagles https://t.co/WObMc2g7Xj
— AFL (@AFL) May 7, 2016
MEDICAL ROOM
Geelong: Lincoln McCarthy is likely to miss a couple of weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the first quarter that ruled him out of the rest of the match. Nakia Cockatoo will be monitored this week after suffering a nerve issue with his knee.
West Coast: The Eagles got through unscathed. Jeremy McGovern came into the game under a cloud with an ankle issue but was one of the Eagles' better performers.
NEXT UP
Patrick Dangerfield's return to face Adelaide for the first time as a Cat will dominate football talk in a blockbuster Friday night showdown, while the Eagles have eight days to wait until they get a chance to put another poor road showing behind them at home against St Kilda.
GEELONG 2.4 9.7 12.11 18.15 (123)
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
INJURIES
Geelong: Nakia Cockatoo (calf), Lincoln McCarthy (ankle)
West Coast: Nil
Reports: Rhys Stanley (Geelong) for rough conduct on Brad Sheppard (West Coast) in second quarter
Umpires: Dalgliesh, O'Gorman, Jeffery
Official crowd: 25,429 at Simonds Stadium