Geelong jumps back to the top of the ladder after smashing West Coast by 58 points

Gary Ablett has many special connections at Kardinia Park. But a new and exciting one is starting to form with Gary Rohan. And in front of the 2009 premiership Cats, the dynamic duo put on a show against the Eagles.

Gary Rohan and Gary Ablett celebrate a goal. Picture: AAP Images

Gary Ablett has many special connections at Kardinia Park.

But a new one which is starting to form impressively is his bonding with Gary Rohan.

The pair torched West Coast in the opening quarter with Ablett providing Rohan with each of his three goals.

MATCH CENTRE: WHO STOOD TALL IN CATS V EAGLES?

BAROMETER: SEE EVERY CLUB’S INJURY LIST

SUPERCOACH: WHO DOMINATED IN ROUND 6?

A long kick to a one-on-one in the goalsquare got the first with brilliant passes on the lead delivering the ex-Swan the final two goals of the term.

And then in the final term a long shot by Ablett from 50m was contested on the goal line and somehow fell in the lap of none other than Rohan who went back and kicked his fourth for the evening.

After his best-on-ground performance on Easter Monday, Ablett clearly decided he had to put on a show for his 2009 premiership teammates who’d gathered for a 10-year reunion.

Gary Rohan celebrates a goal for the Cats. Picture: Getty Images

That was the year Gazza won his first Brownlow Medal and he wound back the clock, particularly in the opening half leading the Cats with 19 disposals and a goal.

The fun continued in the second half with another goal and more goodness on the stats sheet which on the final siren read: 16 kicks, 12 handballs, 12 contested possessions, five clearances, eight inside 50s, five score assists and two goals.

And of course, another three Brownlow votes.

IRISH EYES SMILING

GEELONG’S Irish connection continues to get stronger.

While Zach Tuohy made an impressive return for his first game of the season, it’s the development of his countryman Mark O’Connor which continues to be a standout.

The defender known as ‘The Shark’ has been one of the Cats most consistent performers in the first six weeks.

His pace has been a revelation and the Irishman put the turbo on to burn off Eagle Jamie Cripps in the second quarter to save a goal and then deliver a stunning 35m left-foot pass which left the locals giddy.

Gary Ablett was up to his old tricks against the Eagles. Picture: AAP Images

EAGLES DROUGHT

MICK Malthouse said recently he doesn’t pay any attention to what happens down the highway.

The coaching legend’s theory was the shape of the ground and the way Geelong plays it so well means it’s irrelevant in terms of what happens later in the year at venues such as the MCG.

So if you disregard the home side’s performance, does that mean the opponent’s terrible effort is also conveniently forgotten?

It shouldn’t be as West Coast’s inability to score in season 2019 was again exposed.

The reigning premiers only had three goals to half-time and finished with just seven. This came after an eight-goal effort against Port Adelaide last week.

The Eagles have only kicked over 100 points once this season. Jack Darling is out of form, Jamie Cripps and Liam Ryan had just seven possessions each while Josh Kennedy looks like a player who didn’t have a pre-season.

Geelong had an incredible 148 more possessions. Sorry Mick, that’s something that can’t be ignored.

Patrick Dangerfield drags down Luke Shuey. Picture: Michael Klein

NO LOVE

WEST Coast were keen to land Tim Kelly in last year’s trade period but the Cats weren’t impressed with the offer.

They stood firm and are reaping the rewards this season with the second-year midfielder enjoying another brilliant season.

Adam Simpson is clearly still smarting with the Eagles coach sending his main tagger Mark Hutchings to the young Cat.

The move worked to a degree with Kelly kept to 18 possessions but he still managed to contribute defensively, leading the tackle count with 12.