Gary Ablett put on a show and Gold Coast turned in a stinker in a one-sided return to Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

Ablett finished with 37 disposals and three goals at the ground he called home for seven seasons, leading Geelong to a comfortable 17.19 (121) to 4.12 (36) victory.

The win solidifies the Cats' spot in the top eight and was a return to form after a rough fortnight.

Ablett received a few boos from the 17,490 spectators, but the Suns' four-time best and fairest winner and inaugural skipper had the last laugh.

He took great delight in kicking his first goal from 40m during the third quarter, running straight to Gold Coast co-captain Steven May to remind him how good he is.

But the best was yet to come.

With the game well in hand early in the fourth quarter, Ablett turned back the clock, drilling a shot on the run from 50m just inside the right boundary line.

He rubbed it in with a third goal minutes later.

Geelong coach Chris Scott was thrilled with his star recruit's outing.

"It’s the best game he’s played for us, clearly," Scott said.

"I said during the week that it wasn't unexpected that after two hamstring issues, that he might take a little bit of time to build his way into the season.

"Even if he's in good health and prepared well, there is a settling in period with a new system.  

"We play a different system to the one he had got used to at the Suns. Different team mates, but his craft really shone through tonight.

"I thought he had a big impact on the game."

Ablett was far from the only contributor.

Mitch Duncan (32 disposals) was sensational when the game was still up for grabs, while Joel Selwood (33), Patrick Dangerfield (28) and Tim Kelly (24 and two goals) were all influential.

Tom Hawkins was excellent and could have easily kicked more than his three goals, while Lincoln McCarthy also provided a forward half spark with 2.3 from his 15 disposals in his first senior game of the season.

Geelong won the game in a second-quarter avalanche in which it kicked 7.6 to Gold Coast's solitary behind

At one stage they kicked nine unanswered goals.

Considering it was the Suns' first home match for 2018 after spending nine weeks on the road, it was an insipid effort.

In the second term alone Geelong had 123 disposals to 55, including 92-30 uncontested.

The ball use would be enough for Suns coach Stuart Dew to tear his hair out.

Turnover after turnover after turnover from the back half was punished by the Cats in what amounted to not much more than a training drill.

"It was a big occasion for the footy club … fantastic support and we let them down tonight, no doubt," Dew said.

"Second quarter was really disappointing. Turnover goals we were minus 11.

"It's a disappointing night for the club."

Gold Coast kicked two goals in the first seven minutes and then just two more the rest of the night.

To rub salt in, the Suns also copped injuries to Aaron Hall (shoulder), Aaron Young (ankle) and Steven May (ankle).

MEDICAL ROOM
Gold Coast: Aaron Hall was taken off during the second quarter with a left shoulder injury after attempting a tackle on Joel Selwood and did not return. The speedy midfielder had the shoulder in a sling before half-time. Aaron Young then went off early in the third quarter with an ankle injury and did not return, while Steven May hobbled off late in the match with an ankle problem of his own.

Geelong: A clean bill of health rounded out a great night for the Cats.

NEXT UP
Geelong will look to make it three wins in succession next Saturday afternoon when they host North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, while the Suns travel to Spotless Stadium to take on the spluttering Greater Western Sydney on the same afternoon.