1. Steve Motlop is back to his brilliant best
After returning pre-season in less than top shape, the 25-year-old had a slowish start to the season but Cats coach Chris Scott was unwavering in his support of Motlop. His faith is being repaid in spades with Motlop starring in the first half when the game was up for grabs. For the second week in succession he kicked three goals in the first half, but his pressure stood out. At one stage he round up three Eagles defenders like a sheepdog to force a miskick that a teammate intercept. He finished the game with four goals, two goal assists, three tackles, five bounces and 25 disposals, but it was many sublime moments he provided that makes him a dangerous X-factor.
2. Eagles fail away from home again
Last year's Grand Final capitulation was the low point for the Eagles but they have not won outside Perth since they defeated Collingwood at Etihad in round 16, 2015. It has not been the losses so much this season but the way they have battled to compete against good opposition. Hawthorn, the Sydney Swans and Geelong have made the Eagles look like a team battling to make the lower reaches of the top eight rather than a top four team. A third quarter rally gave their supporters hope but it was built on the back of Nic Naitanui rather than a team effort. Geelong won the first seven clearances of the last quarter to end the contest. The Eagles conceded too many marks inside 50 (16), lost inside 50 (43-60), clearances (31-45) and disposals (356-380).
3. Geelong build from the back
Quick running defenders have received all the publicity this season but the less fashionable Cats model should attract more attention. The Cats have an experienced line-up but don't have players with pure lef speed in their defence. They take intercept marks and are careful when kicking out of defence meaning even when the opposition regains possession they are not able to take full advantage. Five of the Cats first 10 goals were from chains that began with an intercept. They are showing experience and football smarts can be just as effective as pace and frenetic football. Their back six had 25 marks between them with Lachie Henderson building on his good form last week with five marks.
4. Naitanui can turn games in an instant
In the third quarter, Naitanui's dominance turned the game. He had six hits to advantage giving his midfielders first use of the football. It gave West Coast territorial advantage for the first time in the game and it took advantage, kicking five goals in seven minutes to drag the margin back from 51 to 19 points. Naitanui finished the game with 12 contested possessions and three clearances but he showed he has the heart to take the team forward. It took a couple of classic Patrick Dangerfield bursts to turn the tide back towards the Cats who were able to steady with a late goal.
5. Dangerfield tunes up for Adelaide return
The hype will be enormous ahead of Dangerfield's return to Adelaide on Friday night. As hard as you try to give credit to other midfielders the Cats' star commands attention. When Geelong was challenged in the third quarter, it was Dangerfield who went into the middle and won two vital clearances in succession to halt the Eagles momentum. After 153 games with the Crows, the 26-year-old is in Brownlow winning form at Geelong and will return to Adelaide Oval in superb form. He finished the match with 25 disposals, receiving great support from Joel Selwood, with a season high 35 disposals and Jimmy Bartel who stood up when the game was in the balance.
