The Demons 10.8 (68) lost to the Cats 15.21 (111).
Although the Cats won by a comfortable margin, a dominant second term was the main reason for its win, as it amassed 498 disposals – the most touches ever recorded in an AFL match.
It was tight early – the Dees were in front late in the first term – before the Cats posted six goals to two in the second quarter. Poor kicking from the Cats in the third term helped Melbourne's cause, but the red and blue managed to outscore Geelong in the final term.
The only possible blemish for the Cats was a possible groin injury to superstar Gary Ablett.
Energetic forward Russell Robertson, who played his first AFL match since round 10 last year after rupturing his achilles, successfully returned with three goals. This included his 400th AFL goal in the third quarter.
Livewire Aaron Davey continued his fine 2009, with his rebound and efficient disposal from half-back/midfield a feature. He won a team-high 30 touches.
Defender James Frawley, ruckman John Meesen and Stefan Martin, who shifted forward in the second half, also showed further development in their game.
For the Cats, Paul Chapman had a day out with 41 touches – career-best disposals. Teammate Steve Johnson also shone up forward with four goals and was critical in the second term, when the Cats set up the win.
Ball magnets Jimmy Bartel (also a game-high 41 touches), Joel Selwood, Ablett and Joel Corey were also prominent. Cam Mooney booted three majors for the Cats.
The match started in dramatic fashion. Just nine seconds had passed before Geelong opened its account. Ablett went bang, after he shimmied his way to goal after winning the first clearance.
The Cats had two on the board before the Demons managed their first score of the day at the 14-minute mark – a behind to Cameron Bruce. Still, his effort started a peppering of forward 50 thrusts from the Dees, although they didn't capitalise on the scoreboard.
Melbourne registered three more behinds, failed to land one from 50 and kicked one on the full, before defender-turned-forward Ricky Petterd kicked his side's first in red-time.
And when Cale Morton followed up at the 25-minute mark, the Dees were up by a point.
But a Mooney goal just before the first break gave the Cats a five-point lead.
Melbourne's endeavour and intent remained in the second term, but it was unable to curb Geelong's scoring ability. As a result, the Cats took a 32-point advantage into the main change. Steve Johnson booted three for the term.
Robertson booted both of Melbourne's goals in the third term, as the Cats took a 46-point buffer into the final break. But Geelong should've been further in front, after kicking 3.9 for the term.
The Demons managed to outscore the Cats in the final term with four goals to three – including two from Brad Miller – but it was never going to be enough to produce a fairytale win.
Unfortunately for the Demons, the loss continued a disappointing recent record over the Cats. Melbourne has now won just six of its past 26 against Geelong. It has also dropped its past four against the Cats, with its most recent win coming in round six, 2006.
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
