WHATEVER West Coast's transitioning team was going to deliver this season, Adam Simpson promised it would be exciting.
He wasn't wrong.
On Sunday, the evolving Eagles showed their home fans exactly what their senior coach has been talking about with a remarkable 15-point win over flag contender Geelong in a game that had everything.
EAGLES' FIRST HOME WIN: Full match coverage and stats
West Coast was in unstoppable touch early before coughing up a 32-point half-time lead and trailing by as much as 14 midway through the final term.
But, willed on by a state record sporting crowd of 54,535, the Eagles found another gear at the death and stormed home to secure an unforgettable first win at new home Optus Stadium.
A scintillating burst of six unanswered goals in 10 minutes – ignited by Jack Darling's two majors – killed off the gallant Cats' resistance in a 14.11 (95) to 11.14 (80) victory.
WATCH: LeCras seals it
"I think relief comes to mind," Simpson said.
"There were really good signs for our resilience as well. I thought clearly we got outplayed in that third quarter and, gee, Geelong were brave.
"But we stuck to it and we couldn't stop that momentum in the third quarter. There were a few structural things but they probably just wanted it a bit more than us.
"We were really challenged at three-quarter time but I thought we stood tall in the last 10 minutes."
CAT CARNAGE: Injuries mount for Scott
Chris Scott's men were down to one on the bench early in the final term when Gary Ablett pinged a hamstring and joined Nakia Cockatoo (knee) and Cam Guthrie (ankle) on the sidelines.
Ablett's injury, which will delay his long-awaited homecoming to GMHBA Stadium, was the pivotal turning point in a see-sawing affair.
WATCH: Gaz goes down
Along with superb spearhead Tom Hawkins (three goals), the little master had orchestrated Geelong's stirring comeback with a 10-disposal third quarter.
While the Cats should regain Mitch Duncan next week, Ablett's loss will be a blow against St Kilda.
"He was really helping. He was having an impact on the game," coach Chris Scott lamented post-match.
"We'd love to bring in another player as good as him but I reckon if we had that one sitting on the sidelines we would've brought him in today."
West Coast had looked dead and buried after Geelong booted eight of the first nine goals after half-time.
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But the Eagles dug deep and showed that they can certainly prove their doubters wrong this season and contend for finals.
Darling's two composed set shots kick-started their last-gasp fightback and Optus Stadium erupted when Liam Ryan soccered through his third to put the home team back in front.
WATCH: Delight and pain for Ryan
Ryan suffered an ankle injury in the process and was on crutches post-game, souring the victory that has continued West Coast's momentum after a 51-point road belting of the Western Bulldogs.
Sunday's game was an important test for the Eagles (2-1), and with Gold Coast at home and struggling Carlton to come before the first Western Derby, Simpson's men have a chance to set up their season.
Geelong will be bitterly disappointed with a slow start on Sunday and ran out of legs and soldiers coming off a six-day break following the Easter Monday classic one-point loss to Hawthorn.
Most of the talk leading into Sunday's clash focused on Geelong's hyped 'Holy Trinity' of star midfielders.
While Patrick Dangerfield (33 disposals, eight clearances), Ablett (26) and Joel Selwood (21 touches) all had their moments, Sam Menegola (29, five clearances) was a standout across the four quarters.
However, West Coast's onball brigade will take confidence from matching it with a powerful engine room.
Dom Sheed was outstanding for the Eagles. The promising left-footer booted two final quarter goals – he could have finished with five if he took his chances – to go with a team-high 30 disposals.
WATCH: Dom's big last-quarter goal
Andrew Gaff (29) was prolific, while skipper Shannon Hurn's booming kicking was again invaluable from half-back, Brad Sheppard's contested work in defence was vital and veteran Mark LeCras booted three more goals to continue his strong start to 2018.
MEDICAL ROOM
West Coast: Brad Sheppard was hobbled after a collision in the opening term and was forced to the bench with a corked quad but he returned just before quarter-time and played out the match. Liam Ryan hurt his right ankle after soccering through the go-ahead goal and had to be helped from the ground but the Eagles hope his injury isn't too serious.
Geelong: Cam Guthrie suffered an ankle injury and had to be helped from the field during the second quarter after being caught in an awkward position in a tackle. He was on crutches at half-time. Nakia Cockatoo hurt a knee during the third quarter and played no further part while Gary Ablett's homecoming to GMHBA Stadium will be delayed after the veteran pinged his hamstring in the final term.
WATCH: Guthrie's nasty ankle injury
NEXT UP
The Eagles have the chance to gather more momentum when they host the Suns at Optus Stadium on Saturday, while the Cats will be wounded and are sure to come out snarling for their first home game at GMHBA Stadium this season against the battling Saints.
WEST COAST 4.6 7.9 7.11 14.11 (95)
GEELONG 2.2 2.7 8.10 11.14 (80)
GOALS
West Coast: Ryan 3, LeCras 3, Darling 2, Sheed 2, Naitanui, Redden, Shuey, Gaff
Geelong: Hawkins 3, Ratugolea 2, Bews, Menegola, Fogarty, Tuohy, Menzel, Kelly
BEST
West Coast: Sheed, Gaff, Shuey, Hurn, Ryan, LeCras
Geelong: Dangerfield, Menegola, Ablett, Tuohy, Stewart, Ratugolea
INJURIES
West Coast: Ryan (ankle)
Geelong: C.Guthrie (ankle), Ablett (hamstring), Cockatoo (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Deboy, Gavine
Official crowd: 54,535 at Optus Stadium
