GEELONG has recorded its first win of the pre-season, easily overcoming Fremantle by 31 points in front of 9,000 fans at Fremantle Oval on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Cats appeared rusty in the first half - having had their hit-out with the Brisbane Lions rained out last week - and Freo capitalised to lead by 16 points at the main break.
 
But the class of Geelong’s 19 premiership players came to the fore in the third quarter and the visitors slammed on eight goals to Freo’s nil to set-up a 34-point lead going into the final term.
 
Freo outscored the reigning premiers in the last quarter but couldn’t make up the deficit, eventually going down 10.5 (65) to 14.12 (96).
 
Mercurial forward Steve Johnson sent a scare through the Geelong camp in the first half when he came from the ground with a neck complaint, but he returned to play out the second half.
 
Johnson, Cam Mooney and Jimmy Bartel each booted two goals for the Cats.
 
Youngsters Jay van Berlo, Michael Barlow and debutant Justin Bollenhagen both showed promise for Freo and coach Mark Harvey was still upbeat, despite the loss.
 
“We actually won three quarters - it was the third quarter that was the issue,” Harvey told fremantlefc.com.au.
 
“It was a good lesson for us and hopefully we can get it right in two weeks.”
 
Freo will kick off its 2010 campaign against Adelaide at Subiaco on March 28, while Geelong will face Essendon on March 26.