DECORATED champions Sam Mitchell and Joel Selwood engaged in a bitter tit-for-tat as West Coast posted a morale-boosting 13-point win over Geelong in Thursday night's clash at Domain Stadium.
Selwood was reported in the first half for striking Mitchell in the back of the head with an elbow and Mitchell retaliated by placing him in a headlock.
The pair were involved in several other heated exchanges throughout West Coast's 11.17 (83) to 10.10 (70) win.
The Eagles booted seven goals to two in a dominant opening half to open up a 36-point lead.
But the Cats closed the margin to just 12 points at the 20-minute mark of the final quarter, before Andrew Gaff and Lewis Jetta kicked late goals to help end West Coast's three-match losing run.
"I think we brought the pressure we were hoping to bring, it was obviously a fair bit of improvement from the previous game (against Gold Coast)," Eagles coach Adam Simpson said post-match.
"We've been working really hard over the break trying to work on those areas of the game, inside 50s, time in forward half, tackles in forward half, pressure – all that sort of thing.
"Against a team that's one of the best at that I thought we held our own and our tackle count was up and it felt like it was the collective as well."
The Cats' fightback was brave, given they were down to just two fit men on the bench in the final quarter.
Five talking points: West Coast v Geelong
Forward Nakia Cockatoo lasted just a few minutes before his game ended with a hamstring injury.
And tagger Scott Selwood was also forced out of the game in the third quarter with his own hamstring injury.
Mitchell finished with 29 disposals in a masterful display.
Former Swan Jetta also played a crucial role in the win, with his pinpoint kicking setting up numerous goals.
Luke Shuey was at his best with 32 disposals and eight clearances.
Patrick Dangerfield led the way for Geelong with 34 disposals, while Rhys Stanley booted three goals.
The win lifts West Coast (7-5) back into the top eight, while Geelong (8-4) remain in third spot.
It was the Eagles' first win without spearhead Josh Kennedy since round 17, 2014, and (with Mark LeCras kept goalless) it was the first time since round 11, 2013, West Coast has won a game without a single goal coming from Kennedy or LeCras.
Eagles forward Jack Darling entered the match under the spotlight after a series of underwhelming displays.
But the 25-year-old responded with a strong opening term that featured several strong marks and a goal.
Drew Petrie, playing as a permanent forward in the absence of Josh Kennedy, also booted a goal to give West Coast a 19-point lead at quarter time.
The pressure was intense during the opening half.
And the battles off the ball were just as entertaining, with Mitchell and Joel Selwood in the thick of the action.
Shuey also made his presence felt by cleaning up Dangerfield with a fierce hip-and-shoulder that could land him in hot water.
Dangerfield tallied 20 disposals and six clearances in a dominant first half.
But with his partner in crime Joel Selwood well held by Mark Hutchings, West Coast's engine room took control.
Jeremy McGovern, playing up forward and in the ruck, shone in the second term as West Coast powered to a 36-point lead at the long break.
The Cats' forward line was starved of opportunities in the opening half, with West Coast winning the inside 50 battle 30-17.
But the tide turned early in the third quarter as Geelong started to win the contested possession battle.
However, the Cats left their run too late, and coach Chris Scott lamented the fact his side was slow to adapt to slippery conditions.
"We thought that we didn't really read the conditions really well," he said post-match.
"We overused the ball a little bit, their pressure was really good which forced us into errors around the congestion, but even given their pressure we just weren't clean enough."
MEDICAL ROOM
West Coast: The Eagles are uncertain about the extent of Jackson Nelson's hamstring, while coach Adam Simpson couldn't shed any light on Matt Priddis' strapped thigh.
Geelong: The Cats will assess Nakia Cockatoo and Scott Selwood after the pair suffered apparently minor hamstring injuries and failed to play out the contest.
NEXT UP
The Eagles are back at home to face Melbourne in another vital game in their bid to cement a finals spot and push towards the top four again, while Geelong returns to Simonds Stadium to take on Fremantle.
WEST COAST 4.3 7.9 8.14 11.17 (83)
GEELONG 1.2 2.3 5.6 10.10 (70)
GOALS
West Coast: Sheed 2, Darling 2, Jetta 2, Schofield, Petrie, Duggan, Cripps, Gaff
Geelong: Stanley 3, Taylor 2, Menzel 2, Cockatoo, Motlop, Dangerfield
BEST
West Coast: Mitchell, Sheed, Vardy, Jetta, Shuey, Hutchings
Geelong: Dangerfield, Duncan, Tuohy, Taylor, Menzel, Guthrie
INJURIES
West Coast: Nelson (hamstring)
Geelong: Cockatoo (hamstring), S.Selwood (hamstring)
Reports: Joel Selwood (Geelong) for striking Sam Mitchell (West Coast) in the first quarter.
Umpires: Donlon, Dalgleish, Stevic, Hosking
Official crowd: 35,719 at Domain Stadium
