GEELONG has totally outclassed Melbourne at the MCG, climbingback into the top four with a percentage-boosting 66-point triumph on Saturday.
The Cats' star power came to the fore on a cold, wet andmiserable afternoon for Demons fans, with Geelong extending its dominance over Melbourneto 10-straight wins by an average of 70 points.
Not since round six, 2006 have the Dees tasted victory over theCats.
In that time, Melbourne has been through seven different coachesand this match was a throwback to the bad old days.
On the other hand, Geelong was able to build some confidencewith its third-straight win – and 12th this season – with GreaterWestern Sydney to come before the bye.
Geelong was too strong for Melbourne in all the key areas –winning possessions 375-294, marks 114-61, contested possessions 139-125 andinside 50s 57-30.
The Cats' 14.18 (102) to 5.6 (36) victory before 36,385 fans wasestablished in a dominant first half.
Geelong led by 59 points at the long break and coach Chris Scottdidn't attempt to hide his disappointment at the final margin in his post-matchpress conference.
"(We were) very good in the first half and no better thanaverage in the second half," he said.
"We're a long way behind in terms of percentage and whenyou get an opportunity you'd like more of it.
"In the scheme of things, I think we'll be more positiveabout the first half rather than negative about the second half."
Melbourne coach Paul Roos called for a big effort pre-game andwould have been pleased with the in-tight contest in the opening term, whichresembled last week's arm-wrestle early on against Fremantle.
But with the Demons unable to hit the scoreboard, it was amatter of time until the dam wall burst.
The Cats had to wait 16 minutes for their second goal – afterTom Hawkins opened the scoring at the two-minute mark – with the Dees locking downwell and briefly turning the momentum their way.
As is often the case though, Joel Selwood (31 possessions) andSteve Johnson's (27, two goals) class was the difference.
Selwood roved a pack one-handed, turned inside and involvedJohnson in a chain of handballs, which led to Allen Christensen's major.
On his non-preferred left-foot, Johnson then set up ShaneKersten with a delightful piece of vision for the Cats' deserved third goal,kicked after the quarter-time siren.
It was the fifth time this season Melbourne has been held goal-lessin the opening term, but things didn't get much better after the break.
Geelong posted its best term of the season in the secondquarter.
The Cats scored 8.3, although Jeremy Howe finally hit thescoreboard for the Dees with back-to-back goals at the 16 and 20-minute marks.
Any thought of Melbourne mounting a comeback was swiftly, andbrutally, snuffed out.
Tom Hawkins outmuscled James Frawley, the free agent that Cats'chief executive Brian Cook admitted Geelong has enquired about pre-game, twicein as many minutes and scored from point blank range.
The spearhead's third goal was his last for the match, but itmattered little as Geelong accelerated to a 59-point half-time lead.
Melbourne won the third term by four points, and it was damningfor the senior players that rising star Jack Viney (20 possessions) led the waywith nine disposals.
It was announced pre-game that Daniel Cross had inked a one-yearcontract extension, and the veteran, who has a fractured fibula, was sorelymissed in Melbourne's midfield with co-captain Nathan Jones (23 disposals) andBernie Vince (20) unusually ineffective.
"We dropped back below the minimum standards required tocompete at AFL level," Roos said post-match.
"Pretty disappointing from an effort point ofview."
Melbourne's run home doesn't get any easier, with Port Adelaideat Adelaide Oval awaiting them next Sunday.
MELBOURNE 0.2 2.5 4.6 5.6 (36)
GEELONG 3.7 11.10 12.13 14.18 (102)
GOALS
Melbourne: Howe 2, Pedersen, Kent
Geelong: Hawkins 3, Johnson 2, Kersten 2, Christensen, Motlop, Guthrie,Hartman, Duncan, McIntosh, Bartel
BEST
Melbourne: Riley, Viney, Garland
Geelong: Selwood, Motlop, Johnson, McIntosh, Mackie, Kelly, Guthrie
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Geelong: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Dean Terlich replaced Neville Jetta during the third quarter
Geelong: George Horlin-Smith replaced Cameron Guthrie at half-time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Hay, Armstrong
Official crowd: 36,385 at the MCG
