Geelong record massive 97-point win over injury-hit West Coast

Geelong have shot into form with a 97-point demolition of a listless West Coast in Jeremy Cameron’s first AFL game for the Cats.

Trailing by five points at quarter-time, Geelong caught fire to kick 13 consecutive goals — including 10.1 to 0.1 in the second term — to embarrass the Eagles at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.

The Cats piled on 20 of the last 22 goals to run out 21.10 (136) to 5.9 (39) winners and inflict Adam Simpson with his heaviest defeat in eight seasons as Eagles coach.

It was West Coast’s worst loss since 2009, when they also went down by 97 points against St Kilda.

During the first five rounds, the Cats showed none of the spark which took them to last year’s grand final.

But the dismantling of a fellow finals contender is guaranteed to put the rest of the competition on notice.

Without superstar Patrick Dangerfield for up to two months, former GWS ace Cameron made a welcome appearance after a series of hamstring issues kept him on the sidelines since his high-profile arrival at Geelong during the off-season.

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Mitch Duncan torched the Eagles, including nailing this torpedo on the half-time siren.

Mitch Duncan torched the Eagles, including nailing this torpedo on the half-time siren.

Cameron, like the rest of his team, looked flat early, but came alive with two goals in the second quarter to earn a standing ovation from the Geelong faithful.

The nine-time Giants leading goalkicker combined seamlessly with fellow key forward Tom Hawkins, who presented Cameron with his jumper before the match, as both players booted three goals each.

Midfielder Mitch Duncan kicked a career-high four goals, including bombing a torpedo through from beyond 50m after the half-time siren.

Geelong’s only concern from the percentage-boosting result was a late leg injury to hardworking Irishman Mark O’Connor.

The Eagles’ horror day worsened when star defender Jeremy McGovern was subbed out of the game with a groin injury.

Their preparation was impacted with all players having to be tested for COVID-19 due to Perth entering a snap three-day lockdown.

West Coast slipped to a 3-3 record having lost all three games on the road this season.