FEARED Geelong duo Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood led the Cats to a comprehensive 69-point victory over the Brisbane Lions at Simonds Stadium on Sunday. 

The midfield pair picked up 61 disposals (Selwood 35 and Dangerfield 26) between them to steamroll an undermanned Lions outfit who hung in the contest until early in the last quarter.

Five talking points: Geelong v Brisbane Lions

A wasteful 2.8 from Geelong in the third quarter kept the margin less than it should have been, but a six-goal last quarter stretched the lead at the final siren with Geelong 18.17 (125) to the Lions 7.14 (56).

Geelong coach Chris Scott was satisfied with the performance although he would have liked the Cats to capitalise on their ascendancy.

"It was a pretty strong performance. When we were in complete control [in the second half] it would have been nice to capitalise on our work a bit more," Scott said.

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"The wind is going to have an influence so we'll make a few allowances from that perspective."

Dangerfield was explosive, kicking a long goal after the siren at quarter-time and using his acceleration and strength to break clear from stoppages, before being sent forward for much of the second half while Selwood did what he always does, winning clearances through sheer will. 

Dangerfield finished with three goals and five clearances while Selwood had 14 clearances to vie with him for three Brownlow votes.

The pair received good support from Steven Motlop, who played his best game for the season with 28 disposals, along with a bunch of consistent performers including Corey Enright, Cam Guthrie, Jimmy Bartel, Tom Hawkins and Mark Blicavs.

Local lad Tom Ruggles made a solid debut and looked settled at senior level, his only mistake for the game was giving away a 50-metre penalty in the third quarter that gifted Josh Green his 100th career goal.

Having lost skipper Tom Rockliff to a calf injury, the Lions were further weakened when Daniel Rich was a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury. 

Tom Bell played a lone hand for the Lions as a lead-up forward in the first half, presenting well with five marks and two goals.

Stefan Martin was tireless in the ruck against the Cats' ruck combination and Pearce Hanley showed his class working tirelessly between the midfield arcs.

In contrast, former Cats Allen Christensen and Josh Walker struggled. Christensen had just one disposal at half-time (and finished with nine touches) while Walker sprayed three set shots at goal, kicking one out-on-the-full and two behinds. 

Lions midfielder Mitch Robinson, who tried hard to contain Dangerfield before the star was sent forward, was reported for rough conduct late in the last quarter when he felled Selwood. 

Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said the Cats were too strong for his inexperienced team.

"I thought they outmuscled us and used that advantage they had, particularly through centre bounce and front half turnover.

"They completely mauled us in those two numbers."

With the ascendancy in the centre, the Cats were able to control the game from the outset and had a 27-point lead at quarter-time.

From then on, it was only a matter of how far Geelong, who controlled play with 34 more inside 50s than the opposition.

Daniel Menzel kicked one goal in a serviceable comeback while Hawkins had four goals before receiving a knock late in the third quarter and staying on the bench until late in the last quarter. 

MEDICAL ROOM
Geelong: Tom Lonergan was a late withdrawal due to a calf injury but Geelong coach Chris Scott said it was a line-ball decision and he was hopeful the defender would be available next week. 

Brisbane Lions: The Lions hope Daniel Rich may be back from a hamstring injury that saw him withdraw late but do not expect skipper Tom Rockliff to return from a calf problem. Dayne Beams remains about a month away.

NEXT UP
Geelong faces Essendon and will be hoping to consolidate a solid start with a win at the MCG against the undermanned Bombers while the Lions take on the in-form Gold Coast in the QClash at the Gabba. With the Lions playing an attacking brand, the game should be entertaining, but a six-day break does the Brisbane side no favours.

Geelong's Zac Smith claims a mark ahead of Lion Ryan Bastinac. Picture: AFL Media

GEELONG                   6.2    10.5  12.14  18.17 (125)                       
BRISBANE LIONS      1.5    3.9     6.11     7.14 (56)

GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 4, Dangerfield 3, Kersten 3, McCarthy 2, Motlop 2, Menzel, Blicavs, Duncan, Bartel
Brisbane Lions: Bell 2, Taylor, Bastinac, McStay, Martin, Green 

BEST 
Geelong: Selwood, Dangerfield, Duncan, Enright, Motlop, Hawkins, Ruggles
Brisbane Lions: Bell, Robinson, Zorko, Hanley, Martin 

INJURIES 
Geelong: Nil
Brisbane Lions: Nil 

Reports: Mitch Robinson (Brisbane Lions) for engaging in rough conduct on Joel Selwood (Geelong) 

Umpires: Findlay, Jeffery, Mollison 

Official crowd: 23,320 at Simonds Stadium