MELBOURNE would have hoped to open Tom Wills Round with a spirited display but had no answers for a ruthless Geelong, losing by 116 points at the MCG on Friday night.
An encounter between the competition's two oldest clubs to celebrate 150 years of Australian football soon became a lopsided affair as the Cats stormed to victory – 24.13 (157) to 5.11 (41).
Scoreless at the first change, a rushed behind opened the Demons' account nine minutes into the second term and it was time-on when Austin Wonaeamirri kicked their first goal.
Rain for a lot of the evening didn't dampen Geelong's ruthless approach or polished skills and any chance of a tight, gritty clash were dashed once Joel Selwood converted four minutes in.
A host of his teammates followed suit and few Melbourne players, apart from Matthew Whelan (31 disposals for the night) and Paul Wheatley (27), could make any imprint on the game.
Oddly, Melbourne entered the attacking 50 five times to Geelong's seven in the early stages, but the ball was rebounded by the Cats' watertight defence just as quickly.
And the Demons' attack was grossly outreached with only Paul Johnson having a height advantage over Matthew Scarlett.
Geelong booted eight goals in the first quarter as Melbourne showed no threat of scoring.
The ladder leaders had winners everywhere with James Kelly, Jimmy Bartel and Selwood creating plenty of opportunities as Melbourne applied sub-standard pressure around the ground.
Only co-captain Cameron Bruce was taking the honours in his duel, keeping dangerous forward Steve Johnson very quiet.
Dean Bailey's fierce dressing down at quarter time could be heard from 80 metres away and Melbourne worked to halt the Cats' surge in the second term.
James McDonald was treated for a wrist injury but returned to the field soon after, inspiring genuine efforts from the side's many youngsters including Addam Maric, Stefan Martin and Shane Valenti.
After Brad Green registered the second behind, Wonaeamirri finally broke the ice when he charged into goal from 35 metres.
The worrying prospect of being the first side since 1961 to be held goalless to half time was gone, though the 70-point deficit on the scoreboard was a massive concern.
There was no thought of Geelong easing as Bartel calmly slotted the opening goal of the third term, and he was followed by Ryan Gamble and Gary Ablett – who looked sharp in his return from an ankle injury.
The stats continued to tell the story with Geelong's 13 marks inside 50 in absolute contrast to Melbourne's zero.
Things weren't improving as Wonaeamirri limped off with an ankle injury, and Chris Johnson's errant handball to Cameron Ling kept the Cats motoring.
Valenti pounced when three Geelong backmen spilled a grab, soccering the Demons' second goal at the 21-minute mark as the Cats briefly dropped their intensity.
Paul Johnson opened the final term with a freakish dribble from deep in the left forward pocket, sure to attract the eyes of goal of the year judges, but the Demons had little opportunity to savour it as Mathew Stokes kicked three goals in six minutes.
It was left to Valenti to take Melbourne's first forward 50 mark of the night, and his goal was followed by Chris Johnson's right before the final siren.
Though difficult to identify positives, Bruce kept a tight rein on Johnson, Whelan worked feverishly, McDonald was as honest as ever and Simon Buckley ran strongly.
Melbourne is almost assured of a better outcome when it hosts 15th-placed West Coast at the MCG next Saturday.
Geelong 8.5 12.7 19.10 24.13 (157)
Melbourne 0.0 1.3 2.6 5.11 (41)
GOALS
Geelong: Lonergan 4, Stokes 4, Prismall 3, Ling 2, Ablett 2, Bartel 2, Mackie 2, Selwood, Blake, Gamble, Mooney, S. Johnson
Melbourne: Valenti 2, Wonaeamirri, P. Johnson, C. Johnson
BEST
Geelong: Scarlett, Mackie, Prismall, Enright, Selwood, Ling, Kelly, Bartel
Melbourne: Whelan, Valenti, McDonald, Wheatley, Bruce, P. Johnson
INJURIES
Geelong: Blake (elbow)
Melbourne: Jamar (ill) replaced in selected side by White
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Kennedy, Ryan
Official crowd: 34,610 at the MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
