A PATRICK Dangerfield masterclass has inspired Geelong to an emphatic 31-point triumph over North Melbourne, cementing the Cats' position in the top four and raising fresh questions about the Kangaroos' premiership credentials.
In a clash that lived up to blockbuster status – in the first half at least - the Cats sent a resounding reminder why they were branded flag favourites only a month ago, emerging from a heavyweight battle with a 15.15 (105) to 12.2 (74) victory at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
It lifted Geelong back into third spot, now only a game behind the Roos, who could fall off their perch on top of the ladder for the first time since round four, if the Sydney Swans win their crosstown clash with Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.
Dangerfield's brilliance (career-best 48 disposals, 10 centre clearances, 11 inside 50s and two goals) eclipsed even his round one heroics against Hawthorn, with the boom recruit simply unstoppable in a dominant Geelong midfield machine.
With a handball just before the final siren, the 26-year-old matched the best-ever possession tally by a Cats player.
He combined with a virtuoso Joel Selwood (38 disposals) and ruckman Zac Smith (17 disposals, 17 hit-outs) to lead the Cats to victory, with Geelong dominating the crucial on-ball battle after half-time.
Against one of the AFL's best centre clearance sides, Geelong capitalised on the absence of North skipper Andrew Swallow (concussion) and a sore Ben Cunnington (quad) to control the centre square (20-8), nullifying returning Roos ruckman Todd Goldstein's influence.
There was no Tom Hawkins commanding the ball in Geelong's attack but even without the suspended Cats spearhead, in-form forward Daniel Menzel (four goals) and Shane Kersten (three) proved more than a handful for the North defence.
In his 421st game, Brent Harvey threatened to be the thorn in Geelong's side with the evergreen veteran igniting the Kangas with four goals – three in the second term – as Brad Scott's men took a hard-fought 10-point lead into half-time.
But Geelong ran riot after the main break, booting seven goals in a thrilling third-term and outscoring the Kangas 10 goals to four for the second half and inflicting only North Melbourne's second loss for the season.
Daniel Wells started brightly for the Roos and fought against the tide all match, finishing with 31 touches, while Sam Gibson (34) and Jack Ziebell (22, two goals) never gave up the fight.
Despite Robbie Tarrant standing tall, North's defence was swamped, with Geelong holding a commanding 57-43 edge in inside 50s.
While the Roos were dominated in the third quarter, a Mason Wood goal after the siren breathed some life into the contest briefly, but from 15 points down at the final change Brad Scott's men couldn't mount a comeback.
Fittingly, it was Dangerfield who booted the match-sealer at the 17-minute mark of the final term, slotting his second major from 45m to extend the lead to 29 points and extinguish the Roos' challenge.
It was party time in the dying stages, with 100-game milestone man Steven Motlop bobbing up after a quiet night with a sublime soccer from 15m out that soared straight through the middle as Cats fans celebrated a potentially season-defining triumph.
GEELONG 4.4 5.9 12.11 15.15 (105)
NORTH MELBOURNE 4.0 8.1 11.2 12.2 (74)
GOALS
Geelong: Menzel 4, Kersten 3, Bartel 2, Dangerfield 2, Lang, Caddy, Duncan, Motlop
North Melbourne: Harvey 4, Ziebell 2, Petrie 2, Wood 2, McDonald, Thomas,
BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Enright, Selwood, Menzel, Taylor, Bartel
North Melbourne: Wells, Ziebell, Tarrant, Harvey, Gibson
INJURIES
Geelong: Menzel (ankle)
North Melbourne: Swallow (concussion), Cunnington (corked thigh), Atley (right ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Stevic, Stephens
Official crowd: 44,025 at Etihad Stadium
