GEELONG has reaffirmed its status as the top team in the competition, grinding out an important 32-point victory over Essendon in an arm-wrestle of a contest at the MCG on Sunday.

The Cats' miserly defence was at its best against a threatening Bombers outfit that can catch fire at any time, not allowing John Worsfold's side to shift the angles and play at a high tempo, which is their wont, in the 13.8 (86) to 7.12 (54) win.

The Cats kept the Bombers to just 36 points at three-quarter time and seven goals for the match.

Geelong was far more efficient going inside 50 kicking 13.8 from 47 inside 50s.

After copping a heavy tag in two of the last three games that he has played in, star midfielder Tim Kelly relished the space he was afforded on his way to 36 disposals, nine clearances and two goals.

Despite being reported for a clumsy high hit on Dylan Shiel in the first quarter, star Cat Gary Ablett continued his stellar early season form with two goals from 27 disposals.

The incident saw the Bombers crowd attempt to deliver a chorus of boos, although it was quickly overridden by cheering from the Geelong faithful as the afternoon went on.

Tom Stewart patrolled defensive 50 and was a constant nuisance for Essendon's forwards in the air with nine intercepts and 25 disposals and claimed the Tom Wills Award as best on ground, and Mark Blicavs held Joe Daniher in check, with the Bomber scraping through just one goal in the final term.

With Patrick Dangerfield hobbled by a knee complaint and Joel Selwood sitting on the sidelines through injury, Mitch Duncan (22 disposals and three goals) and Cameron Guthrie (25 disposals, nine tackles and one goal) stepped into the breach with the pair shining examples of Geelong's aim to be methodical with its ball use.

Clearly troubled by injury, Dangerfield had a rare off game as he delivered one of the gaffes of the AFL season so far. An attempted handball to Jordan Clark in the goal square going awry when the talented youngster slipped over as the ball trickled through for a behind.

But it mattered little, as the Cats continued to test the Bombers' defence the longer the contest went on, taking 17 marks inside 50 to the Bombers' eight and preventing the likes of Adam Saad and Conor McKenna from generating their usual bounce off half-back.

The Bombers got on top in the clearances (38-32) as Zach Merrett (29 disposals) and Darcy Parish (25 disposals) played close to their best games for the season and Dylan Shiel (33 touches and seven clearances) got going, but those stats proved to be misleading in the context of the result.

Jake Stringer was close to the Bombers' best player as he constantly made his opportunities in front of goal count, booting three of Essendon's seven goals.

MEDICAL ROOM

Geelong: Patrick Dangerfield injured his left knee in the first quarter as he was pirouetted in a tackle by Bomber Zach Merrett. The superstar went down to the rooms but came back on the ground soon after. Dangerfield continued to receive treatment throughout the game. Esava Ratugolea left the field with a head knock in the third term and did not return.

Essendon: Tom Bellchambers received some medical treatment just prior to quarter time after limping around on the field for several minutes. The ruckman played out the game without much fuss.

NEXT UP

The Bombers have just a five-day break before travelling to Sydney to face the Swans at the SCG on Friday night. Geelong has the full seven days to recover ahead of a clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium next Sunday.

GEELONG        4.0       7.3       10.7     13.8 (86)
ESSENDON     3.3       4.5       5.6       7.12 (54)

GOALS
Geelong: Duncan 3, Hawkins 2, Ablett 2, Kelly 2, C.Guthrie, Rohan, Miers, Dahlhaus
Essendon: Stringer 3, Baguley, Bellchambers, Daniher, Parish

BEST 
Geelong: Kelly, Stewart, Ablett, Duncan, Blicavs, C.Guthrie
Essendon: Merrett, Smith, Parish, Stringer, Hurley

INJURIES 
Geelong: Ratugolea (concussion), Dangerfield (knee)
Essendon: Nil

Reports: Gary Ablett (Geelong) reported for striking Dylan Shiel in the first quarter.

Umpires: Nicholls, Chamberlain, Glouftsis

Official crowd: 63,527 at the MCG