The dam has burst has finally burst, later than predicted, but soon enough for Geelong to take a stranglehold of their Gather Round clash with West Coast at Norwood.
The Eagles held sway narrowly entering time-on in the second term, after seven lead changes, before the Cats turned it on with five unanswered goals in time-on.
Mark O’Connor, who was rested for the Easter Monday blockbuster against Hawthorn, has enjoyed a great return, slotting a career-best three goals already. The Irishman could face MRO scrutiny, though, after he collected Willem Duursma’s jaw after electing to bump.
Bailey Smith, who had a dominant opening quarter, was quelled to a degree in the second by Deven Robertson’s run-with role, but Max Holmes, Tom Atkins and Tanner Bruhn filled the void through, outmuscling the Eagles through the middle during Geelong’s match-turning purple patch.