First quarter: Geelong Cats 5.2 (32) to Melbourne 2.4 (16) 

Melbourne opened the match with two behinds, and the missed opportunities soon proved frustrating, as the Cats kicked three in a row to lead by 18 points.

It took 17 minutes before the red and blue landed its first major – a fantastic snap over the shoulder from Christian Petracca. And for the rest of the term, it was goal-for-goal.

Debutant Tim Smith got in on the act, landing his first goal at the 23-minute mark to reel the margin back to 11 points.

But when Mark Blicavs popped through his second for the Cats, the home side led by 16 points at quarter-time.

Billy Stretch had the most touches for the Dees with 10 touches; Blicavs had the same for the Cats.

Second quarter: Geelong Cats 9.2 (56) to Melbourne 7.11 (53)

The second term was a fascinating encounter. Melbourne had far more opportunities in front of goal, with 12 scoring shots to four, but kicked 5.7 to 4.0.

The Demons hit the front for about a minute-and-a-half when Jeff Garlett kicked truly early in time-on. But when Geelong got back-to-back goals at the 22 and 23-minute mark, it was enough for the Cats to remain in front.

Jack Watts’ second at the 29-minute mark pegged the margin back to three points at the long break.

Stretch and Jayden Hunt were the other Melbourne goalkickers, as Nathan Jones had 16 touches for the first half. Stretch had 15 disposals and Patrick Dangerfield (15) led the way for the Cats.

But there was some unfortunate news for Melbourne, with ruckman Max Gawn injured during the second term with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Third quarter: Melbourne 12.17 (89) to Geelong Cats 14.2 (86)

Melbourne hit the front by 11 points early in the second half, when Alex Neal-Bullen – after a video review – posted his first and Dean Kent followed up soon after.

Again, the Demons were wasteful in front of goal and when Hawkins nailed his fourth and Dangerfield booted his second, the Cats trailed by just one point.

However, Melbourne fought back, kicking three of the next four goals to lead by 15 points at the 29-minute mark. Kent kicked his second, as Neville Jetta and James Harmes got on the board.

But when Zac Smith opened his account at the 31-minute mark and Daniel Menzel grabbed his third major, the Cats had cut the margin back to three points.

Jones was the leading ball winner with 29 by three quarter-time.

Final quarter: Geelong 20.6 (126) d Melbourne 13.19 (97)

Geelong started the final term with a bang, booting three in five minutes to regain the lead by 15 points.

Six minutes in, Mitch Hannan booted Melbourne’s first for the term to bring the deficit back to nine points.

But when Brendan Parfitt kicked the Cats’ fourth for the quarter, they were back out to a 17-point lead.

Kent had the chance to slice the margin again, at the 18-minute mark, but his shot for goal missed for a behind, summing up Melbourne’s day.

And when Joel Selwood gained his first and Menzel booted his fourth, Geelong was home by 29 points.