Cats smash Dees, record

GEELONG was made to work hard by Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday but had the class to eventually overpower the Dees 15.21 (111) to 10.8 (68).

There was a lot to like about the Dees' intensity and work rate for the most part, but too often their skills and decision making undid their hard work with the Cats happy to capitalise. 

After a listless start Geelong slowly warmed to the task and ended up dominating the possession count and setting a new record for disposals with 498 to the Demons' 362, but failed to grasp the opportunity to boost its percentage after some wayward kicking for goal.

Gary Ablett sent a scare through the camp when he limped to the bench midway through the final term where he remained for the rest of the game receiving attention on a groin. 

Geelong was well-served by its brigade of classy runners with Paul Chapman in superb touch racking up 41 possessions with Ablett (25), Jimmy Bartel (41) and Joel Selwood (34) all important.

Russell Robertson wasn't done any favours in his first game back from a serious achilles injury and was manned up by All-Australian defender Matthew Scarlett. But Robertson showed some encouraging glimpses of form on his way to a three-goal return.   

Aaron Davey finished with 30 disposals to be among his side's best with Cale Morton (26) and Brock McLean (26).

Ablett took just nine seconds to register Geelong's first goal after the opening bounce to have Cats fans licking their lips in anticipation of a football master class, but they were sorely disappointed in the early going.

Despite conceding another goal to Cam Mooney the Dees' ability to apply pressure and run off their opponents rattled their highly-fancied opponents. But several promising passages of play ended in frustration with golden opportunities to pressure Geelong on the scoreboard spurned.

Most disappointing for coach Dean Bailey would have been that it was his veterans who were largely at fault. Davey, Robertson, Cameron Bruce and Brad Miller all missed gettable shots that would have given their side a deserved lead.

It was 20-year-old Ricky Petterd in his 17th game who finally stopped the run of misses and when fellow young gun Morton bombed one through from outside 50 the Dees were finally in front.

It was only fleeting, however, as Mooney's second saw the Cats lead it by five points at quarter-time.

Mark Thompson kept his players in the huddle well after the Demons were ready for the second term, but the coach's words had the desired effect as the Cats finally found second gear. 

Chapman led the charge with 15 possessions while Steven Johnson finished the work of his midfielders with three goals. Robertson found his range to kick his first goal which was also his 400th career major, but Geelong took a commanding 32-point lead into the main break.

It was the Cats' turn to be inaccurate in front of goal after the restart with five successive behinds failing to put the contest completely out of Melbourne's grasp.

Robertson was enjoying his return to league football by now and booted another two to try and spark his teammates, but despite continued inaccuracy, Geelong stretched its advantage to 46 points at three-quarter time.

Tom Hawkins kicked his second to start the final term, but to their credit the Demons kept toiling away and out-scored the Cats four goals to three to set up the final 43-point margin.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.

MATCH DETAILS

Melbourne 2.4    4.6    6.7    10.8 (68)
Geelong      3.3   9.8    12.17    15.21 (111)

GOALS
Melbourne: Robertson 3, Miller 2, Bennell, Johnson, Morton, Petterd, Sylvia
Geelong: S.Johnson 4, Mooney 3, Rooke 2, Varcoe 2, Ablett, Chapman, Hawkins, Stokes

BEST
Melbourne: Davey, Moloney, McLean, Robertson, Frawley, Meesen
Geelong: Chapman, S.Johnson, Bartel, Selwood, Ablett, Corey, Enright

INJURIES
Melbourne:
Geelong: Ablett (hip/groin)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Kennedy, Ryan, Dalgleish 

Official crowd: 36,932 at MCG