The Cats, who lost Joel Selwood, Corey Enright and Shannon Byrnes before the game, trailed early in the second half as the Eagles fought bravely before they clicked into gear to win 16.16 (112) to 10.8 (68).
In what could be his final game at Geelong’s home ground, Gary Ablett provided the spark that snapped the Cats out of their lethargy.
Having been kept quiet by tagger Scott Selwood, Ablett booted three goals and took a great mark in the third quarter, enabling his team to end its home-and-away campaign in second place on the ladder.
Pint-sized onballer Ashton Hams, defender Beau Waters and forward Callum Wilson were the Eagles’ leading contributors, and the first half effort would give fans great encouragement for next season.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for Geelong president Frank Costa, who is stepping down at the end of the season after 12 years at the helm and did a lap of honour before the match.
But Cats fans were quiet for much of the first term as their players struggled to find some spark.
The Cats had only 1.7 on the board by quarter time, while the Eagles had managed 2.3.
Little changed in the opening minutes of the second quarter, and when Luke Shuey cleverly soccered a goal, the visitors were up by eight points.
The last half of the contest was much more in keeping with expectations, as Geelong showed why it is favoured to win its third flag in four years.
The Eagles, who were confirmed as wooden-spooners earlier this month, end their season with just four wins.
Geelong 1.7 5.8 10.14 16.16 (112)
West Coast 2.2 5.4 6.5 10.8 (68)
GOALS
Geelong: Ablett 4, Mooney 3, Johnson 3, Hawkins 2, Ling 2, Varcoe, Ottens
West Coast: Wilson 3, Hams 2, Shuey, LeCras, Masten, Stevens, Kennedy
BEST
Geelong: Ablett, Kelly, Milburn, Chapman, Mackie, Ling, Scarlett, Corey
West Coast: Hams, Waters, Rosa, Wilson, Shuey
INJURIES
Geelong: Corey Enright (foot) replaced in selected side by Taylor Hunt, Shannon Byrnes (virus) replaced in selected side by Daniel Menzel, Joel Selwood (buttock) replaced in selected side by Simon Hogan.
West Coast: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Stewart, Pannell
Official crowd: 24,099 at Skilled Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
