GEELONG further proved its premiership credentials with a 30-point win over Fremantle in the face of high pressure, wet conditions and players dropping like flies.

A fast start from the Cats, in which they kicked four first-quarter goals, led to the 9.10 (64) to 5.4 (34) win - their 10th in a row - at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

CATS v DOCKERS Full match coverage and stats

The physicality of the match had the medical staff from both clubs busy throughout the second half, as Rachel Kearns, Noa McNaughton and Aoife Healy all finished the game injured on the bench, and a host of others rotating through assessments.

Geelong's early attack caught Fremantle on the back foot, with scores from four of its first five forward entries. Chantal Mason was immense in the line all day, and set the standard early with four score involvements in the opening term – including two goals of her own – before going on to finish with three goals, 19 disposals and eight marks for the day.

It was an important role in the absence of Jackie Parry (concussion), while still maintaining her supporting ruck minutes, and Kearns (15 disposals, two goals) was the cannonball in attack that created headaches for the Dockers' defence.

Despite that tough start, the Dockers were able to recalibrate and ramp up the pressure. Their efforts were effective in slowing the Cats' attacking game, but didn't quite prove fruitful enough in generating their own score.

The work of Geelong's midfield was overwhelming, with Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison and Amy McDonald combining for 78 disposals, 21 tackles, and 17 clearances, clearly wanting to take the game forward and generate plenty of opportunity for their stacked forward line.

There was a clear intention from the visitors to establish their physicality at every opportunity, and as a result two Cats were forced from the field following heavy bumps. Bryde O'Rourke ran into the brick wall that is Hayley Miller, and Aishling Moloney into Kiara Bowers, with both players left breathless.

Before the final break, Bowers herself came off second-best in a clash, and was forced into the rooms for a head injury assessment, before returning to the field.

It was a tough day for McNaughton who had a challenging match-up on experienced Cat Chantel Emonson, as the latter had a big say on the game from the half-back line. McNaughton's tough day ended on the bench with a left ankle injury as she worked to lay a tackle.

Unfortunately for the Dockers, it was a hit to their percentage that they couldn't afford with Adelaide and Hawthorn breathing down their necks for the final spot in the top eight, with Sydney still to come in round 12.

Stars down
Some heavy hits through the third quarter saw stars from both clubs head into their respective rooms for assessment. First, it was Geelong's Aishling Moloney, who copped a hit from Kiara Bowers as she tried to move to the goal line and compete for a long ball. She was stuck on her haunches for some time before medical staff assisted her from the ground and into the rooms for assessment on her ribs. Mere minutes later, Bowers copped her own hit that required a HIA, which she underwent throughout the final break. Both players re-emerged from the rooms five minutes into the fourth quarter, and returned to the field soon after.

A different way to score
Coming into the game the Cats were without their leading goalkicker for the season in Jackie Parry due to concussion, so there was an expectation that fellow spearheads Aishling Moloney and Chloe Scheer would carry the forward line. Instead, it was a host of others including emerging tall Chantal Mason, returning Irishwoman Kate Kenny, and defender-turned-forward Rachel Kearns who got busy. The spread in attack bodes very well for the Cats' upcoming finals campaign. 

Up next
Geelong will enjoy its final preparation for finals as it hosts fellow top four contenders the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium on Friday evening, while Fremantle will be fighting for its life against Sydney at Cockburn ARC Oval to close out the round on Sunday afternoon.

GEELONG                           4.2    5.4    8.8   9.10 (64)
FREMANTLE                     2.1    2.2    2.2   5.4 (34) 

GOALS 
Geelong: Mason 3, Kearns 2, Prespakis, Stewart, Scheer, Kenny
Fremantle: Smith, McCarthy, Miller, Stannett, Kauffman 

BEST 
Geelong: Prespakis, Mason, Kearns, Dunlop, Webster, Emonson
Fremantle: Newton, Strom, O'Driscoll, Low, McCarthy

INJURIES 
Geelong: Kearns (head knock)
Fremantle: Healy (jaw), McNaughton (left ankle)

Crowd: TBC at GMHBA Stadium