1. Preliminary, 2011, MCG:
Geelong 17.15 (117) def West Coast 10.9 (69)
Freshened up by having the second weekend of the finals off, the Cats flew out of the blocks, opening a 22-point lead by quarter-time. The second term was an even affair, but Geelong wrapped up another Grand Final berth by kicking seven goals to two in the third quarter. The final margin was 48 points. James Podsiadly finished with three goals, while Allen Christensen, Tom Hawkins and Travis Varcoe kicked two. James Kelly racked up 29 disposals and Andrew Mackie 27. The downside was the knee injury suffered by Steve Johnson, which looked set to keep him out of the decider.
Steve Johnson walks around the boundary to the cheers of the crowd during the 2011 preliminary final against West Coast. Just a few minutes earlier he had been carried from the field on a stretcher. (AFL Photos)
2. Round 13, 2008, Domain Stadium:
Geelong 28.14 (182) def West Coast 5.17 (47)
The Cats were at the peak of their powers, and they demolished the Eagles by 135 points after kicking seven goals in the first quarter, six in the second, 10 in the third and five in the last. Paul Chapman and Cameron Mooney both kicked five goals, while James Kelly slotted four. Gary Ablett tallied 37 disposals and two goals. The game became famous for Cats coach Mark Thompson's decision to eat a salad roll in the coaches' box while the mauling was unfolding.
Mark Thompson has a laugh with his players at three-quarter time of the clash between the Eagles and the Cats in round 13, 2008. (AFL Photos)
Gary Ablett attempts to break away from Eagles tagger Tyson Stenglein during the same game. (AFL Photos)
3. Round 2, 1997, Simonds Stadium:
Geelong 11.12 (78) def West Coast 11.6 (72)
The Eagles, then under the guidance of Mick Malthouse, had their noses in front at quarter-time (13 points), half-time (eight points) and three-quarter time (one point), but the Gary Ayres-coached Cats scaped home after kicking four goals to three in the last quarter. Leigh Colbert finished with 25 disposals and eight marks, while Peter Riccardi booted six of Geelong's 11 goals in a brilliant performance.
Ben Cousins drives the Eagles into attack in round 2, 1997, as Glenn Kilpatrick watches on. (AFL Photos)
4. Round 22, 1993, WACA:
Geelong 17.14 (116) def West Coast 14.12 (96)
Malcolm Blight's Cats were on a roll after toppling premiership contenders North Melbourne and Essendon in the previous weeks, but they were seventh on the ladder and needed a big win over the Eagles to sneak into the top six. Geelong came from nine points down at three-quarter time to win by 20, with Gary Ablett booting five goals, but it wasn't enough. When it was all said and done, West Coast had finished sixth with a 12-8 record and a percentage of 115.8, while the Cats were seventh with a 12-8 record and a percentage of 111.6. Ablett finished the season with 124 goals in 17 games.
Cats great Cameron Mooney will look back at this match in our next episode of Thirsty Camel Throwback Thursday.
5. Round 12, 1987, Simonds Stadium:
Geelong 13.13 (91) def West Coast 12.13 (85)
The first ever meeting between the Cats and the Eagles went down to the wire, with the home side snatching a six-point win thanks to five goals from Gary Ablett. Fellow Geelong forward Bruce Lindner won plenty of the ball but kicked a wayward 4.6. Gary Cameron led the way on the stats sheet with 28 disposals and a goal, while Paul Couch chipped in with 26 touches and a goal.
