GEELONG has totally outclassed Melbourne at the MCG, climbing back 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 and miserable afternoon for Demons fans, with Geelong extending its dominance over Melbourne to 10-straight wins by an average of 70 points.
Not since round six, 2006 have the Dees tasted victory over the Cats.
In that time, Melbourne has been through seven different coaches and this match was a throwback to the bad old days.
On the other hand, Geelong was able to build some confidence with its third-straight win – and 12th this season – with Greater Western 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 and inside 50s 57-30.
The Cats' 14.18 (102) to 5.6 (36) victory before 36,385 fans was established in a dominant first half.
Melbourne coach Paul Roos called for a big effort pre-game and would have been pleased with the in-tight contest in the opening term, which resembled last week's arm-wrestle early on against Fremantle.
But with the Demons unable to hit the scoreboard, it was a matter of time until the dam wall burst.
The Cats had to wait 16 minutes for their second goal – after Tom Hawkins opened the scoring at the two-minute mark – with the Dees locking down well and briefly turning the momentum their way.
As is often the case though, Joel Selwood (31 possessions) and Steve Johnson's (27, two goals) class was the difference.
Selwood roved a pack one-handed, turned inside and involved Johnson in a chain of handballs, which led to Allen Christensen's major.
On his non-preferred left-foot, Johnson then set up Shane Kersten 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-less in the opening term, but things didn't get much better after the break.
Geelong posted its best term of the season in the second quarter.
The Cats scored 8.3, although Jeremy Howe finally hit the scoreboard for the Dees with back-to-back goals at the 16 and 20-minute marks.
Any thought of Melbourne mounting a comeback was swiftly, and brutally, snuffed out.
Tom Hawkins outmuscled James Frawley, the free agent that Cats' chief executive Brian Cook admitted Geelong has enquired about pre-game, twice in as many minutes and scored from point blank range.
The spearhead's third goal was his last for the match, but it mattered little as Geelong accelerated to a 59-point half-time lead.
Melbourne won the third term by four points, and it was damning for the senior players that rising star Jack Viney (20 possessions) led the way with nine disposals.
It was announced pre-game that Daniel Cross had inked a one-year contract extension, and the veteran, who has a fractured fibula, was sorely missed in Melbourne's midfield with co-captain Nathan Jones (23 disposals) and Bernie Vince (20) unusually ineffective.
Melbourne's run home doesn't get any easier, with Port Adelaide at 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, Vince
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
