The West Coast Eagles made incremental gains despite an 18-point loss to Geelong at Optus Stadium this evening.

The Eagles were up for the challenge, stayed with the Cats who are a top four fancy, but just could not sustain the effort for long enough, going down 9.9 (63) to 12.9 (81).

The Eagles enjoyed the return of experienced premiership pair Dom Sheed and Elliot Yeo with Sheed offering a strong presence around the ball and Yeo adding some dare and penetration with the ball movement out of defence as he resumed at half-back.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Elliot Yeo of the Eagles kicks the ball during the 2022 AFL Round 14 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos)

When Geelong kicked away to a four-goal advantage by the middle stages of the second quarter it seemed they had stamped their authority on the game and would waltz to victory.

But the Eagles were up to the challenge, pegged them back and squared it up by the long break.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Jake Waterman of the Eagles celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 14 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos)

Aside from Yeo and Sheed, forward Jake Waterman produced a quality performance through his work rate and defensive pressure in a game where his father, Chris, was watching with his 1992 premiership teammates who were celebrating their 30-year reunion.

Tom Barrass also had a strong performance in defence, largely opposed to Tom Hawkins, while the forwards – led by Jamie Cripps, Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling applied consistent pressure to help lock the ball in the forward half.

Key statistics including contested possessions, tackles and clearances were close and despite the three-goal loss there were some encouraging signs.

oPERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Brady Hough of the Eagles kicks the ball during the 2022 AFL Round 14 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)

The Cats were simply more damaging in the key moments and responded with a game-breaking mini surge in the third quarter.

They held sway for much of the second half, but it was an arm wrestle and it was their edge in class and experience that was the difference.

Rhett Bazzo made an encouraging debut in defence and fellow 2021 draftee Brady Hough did some eye-catching things in defence and on the wing.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Jeremy McGovern of the Eagles is assisted from the field during the round 14 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Greg Clark was substituted into the game when vice-captain Jeremy McGovern was forced from the ground in the second quarter with a painful hit to the ribs and he was taken to hospital for further examination.              

Geelong                    4.4   6.5   11.6   12.9   81
West Coast Eagles    2.3   6.5   8.6     9.9    63

Goals
Geelong: Hawkins, Stengle 3; Menegola 2; Cameron, Close, Duncan, Smith.
West Coast Eagles: Kennedy, Cripps, Waterman 2; Petruccelle, Rioli, West.

Best
Geelong: Duncan, C Guthrie, Atkins, Stengle, Menegola, Selwood.
West Coast Eagles: Barrass, Waterman, Sheed, Gaff, Yeo, Shuey.

Injuries
West Coast Eagles: McGovern (ribs) replaced by Clark in the second quarter.