STAR West Coast forward Josh Kennedy's potential round one replacement Oscar Allen boosted his selection chances as the Eagles' inexperienced attack overpowered Geelong in a 34-point victory on Friday night.
Without dual Coleman medallist Kennedy (foot), Jamie Cripps (toe) and Mark LeCras (retired) – who combined for 113 goals last year – the Eagles turned to youth and were rewarded with some promising performances.
Allen, who showed signs at both ends in two games last year, booted three goals, including a couple either side of half-time as the reigning premiers edged out to a 15-point break.
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Despite missing gun spearhead Tom Hawkins, the inaccurate Cats surged back and, inspired by lively small Brandan Parfitt (three goals), hit the front before the final change.
But the home side drilled five unanswered goals either side of three-quarter time and cruised to a 15.9 (99) to 8.17 (65) triumph in their JLT Community Series opener at Leederville Oval.
Led by imposing forward Jack Darling (five goals), the Eagles looked dangerous in the air and on the ground in attack, with livewire smalls Liam Ryan (two), Willie Rioli, Jack Petruccelle and Jarrod Cameron combining for five majors.
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At the other end, spring-heeled Geelong full-forward Esava Ratugolea kicked 0.3 but made an encouraging comeback from the broken leg which ended his 2018 in round 10, flying for marks and fighting an engrossing battle with Tom Barrass.
Barrass was one of several premiership players who got through unscathed after injury worries, with Norm Smith medallist Luke Shuey picking up where he left off and notching a game-high 17 disposals to half-time before being put on ice.
Dual club champion Elliot Yeo (23 disposals) and star backman Jeremy McGovern (nine) also appeared to get through without any worries as they build towards Brisbane in round one.
Prolific wingman Andrew Gaff (27) was applauded by the blue and gold faithful in his first game since his season-ending punch on Andy Brayshaw in last year's round 20 Western Derby.
Grand Final hero Dom Sheed was best afield, racking up 39 touches and snapping a quick-thinking major.
Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield (29, one goal) did his best to turn the tide after West Coast took a two-goal lead into half-time and appears primed for a big 2019 after being hampered by a back issue last season.
Dangerfield was strongly supported by Mitch Duncan (29) and Charlie Constable (26), while Tom Stewart was rock-solid in defence.
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Claremont product Jordan Clark's confident performance down back would arguably have pleased coach Chris Scott most from the contest, with the Cats' top draftee providing excellent rebound from 21 touches in his first appearance.
Clark, taken with pick 15 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, appears a lock for Geelong's blockbuster season opener against Collingwood at the MCG after an assured display.
Friday's contest was a free-flowing affair under the AFL's new rules, although there was some confusion over starting positions at centre bounces.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson questioned the umpires' coaches at quarter-time after Geelong was warned then gave away a free kick when the full-forward left the goalsquare too early.
But the Eagles gave away a free kick of their own when skipper Shannon Hurn was caught out of position coming off the bench, suggesting clubs have some practice to do ahead of round one.
WEST COAST 4.3 6.6 9.6 15.9 (99)
GEELONG 3.5 4.6 7.13 8.17 (65)
GOALS
West Coast: Darling 5, Allen 3, Ryan 2, Vardy, Rioli, Cameron, Petruccelle, Sheed
Geelong: Parfitt 3, Z. Guthrie, Selwood, Miers, Narkle, Dangerfield
BEST
West Coast: Sheed, Darling, Shuey, Hurn, Allen, Gaff
Geelong: Parfitt, Dangerfield, Stewart, Duncan, Clark, Constable
INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Geelong: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Dalgleish, Power, Dore, Williamson
Official crowd: 6028 at Leederville Oval
