The West Coast Eagles were denied their first win of the season in a high stakes clash against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night, being knocked down by just three points.

The stage was set for a thrilling comeback win on Wadawurrung Country but West Coast was just unable to get the job done against the Cats, with the visitors eventually falling to the home team 4.3 (27) to 3.6 (24).

It was a slow start for the Eagles, who were playing again after 13 days break, as they leaked two goals in the opening minutes against Geelong and came into the first break scoreless.

If it wasn’t for the tireless efforts of key defender Sophie McDonald and Belinda Smith, the deficit may have proved larger, with the Cats entering their inside 50 three times in the first term at 100 per cent efficiency.

The determination by skipper Emma Swanson (27 disposals, five marks, three tackles) was also commendable, as she was supported by classy Dana Hooker (14 disposals, seven tackles), whose poise and experience was evident across the match.

Despite the loss, there were positives to take away from the game, including the development of younger players, such as ruck/forward Sarah Lakay, who played her second match in West Coast colours.

Lakay was amongst the best afield for the day, with six disposals and 21 hit-outs showing she can match it with some of the competition’s best at just 19 years of age.

West Coast forward Aimee Schmidt was also impressive, attempting the side’s first two scoring shots of the match in the second quarter to put two minors on the board.

Schmidt put the Eagles ahead for the first time in the final two minutes when she snapped truly from the pocket, giving West Coast a sniff of a stirring victory. 

However, the Cats hit back immediately through Darcy Moloney and held on throughout the tense final 90 seconds.

Youngster Bella Lewis tried her hardest in the Eagles’ engine room, kicking a point in the second term, as well as finishing the match with 17 disposals and eight tackles.

Versatile midfielder Niamh Kelly must also be credited for opening up the game, after booting West Coast’s first goal of the match in the same quarter, and collating nine disposals and three intercepts in her best match of the season.

A dampener from the clash also came from the early injury of Aisling McCarthy, with the midfielder succumbing to an arm injury early in the first quarter.

The Irish star will be assessed and further details will be made available in coming days.

DETAILS

Geelong 2.1 3.1 3.1 4.3 (27)

West Coast 0.0 1.3 2.5 3.6 (24)

GOALS

Geelong McWilliams 2, Webster, Moloney

West Coast Bowen, Kelly, Schmidt

BEST

Geelong Webster, McDonald, Johnson, Prespakis, Emonson

West Coast Swanson, Lewis, Hooker, Kelly, Lakay

INJURIES

Geelong Nil

West Coast McCarthy

Reports Nil

Attendance 1938