GEELONG has sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition, thrashing West Coast by 75 points at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night.
In a clash that featured two of the League's undefeated teams, Chris Scott's men were dominant after an even start, kicking the last 12 goals of the game.
The Eagles failed to score a major after Jack Darling slotted their fourth, 28 minutes into the first quarter.
Five talking points: Geelong v West Coast
The Cats won 16.11 (107) to 4.8 (32), improving their record to 4-0, with a huge clash against Hawthorn (the only other side to remain unbeaten) next up on Easter Monday.
"It was a good performance," Geelong coach Chris Scott said. "I didn't think we'd keep them to the score we did post-quarter-time.
"But obviously the opposition were decimated in terms of personnel, so it's still a bit early in the season to draw too many conclusions, I would've thought."
It was West Coast's lowest score against Geelong.
Rookie Eagles coach Adam Simpson was left to rue the recent spate of injuries and suspensions that has left him without Shannon Hurn, Darren Glass, Luke Shuey, Mark LeCras, Chris Masten and Matt Rosa, who was a late withdrawal after falling ill.
“It shows us where we're at a little bit, in terms of the first three games were really pleasing, but they made us pay tonight," Simpson said.
"I thought the second quarter was disappointing, but they gutsed it out.
"I know it didn't look like it on the scoreboard, but the endeavour was there."
As is the case almost every week, Cats skipper Joel Selwood inspired his side with a courageous performance.
During the first half, when the game was won, Selwood gathered 17 disposals and kicked two goals, including a brilliant 45m bomb from near the boundary in the second quarter.
"We thought he was outstanding tonight," Scott said. "If you're asking my opinion on who you should put in the votes, I don't need to say any more."
Mathew Stokes, George Horlin-Smith, Mitch Duncan, Cameron Guthrie and Corey Enright were among a host of other key contributors for Geelong, while Steve Johnson produced one of his more erratic performances, winning a stack of the ball but using it poorly.
Selwood, Horlin-Smith and rejuvenated key forward Tom Hawkins led the way on the scoreboard, finishing with three goals each.
Down back, Jared Rivers roamed far and wide in what was probably his best effort since joining the Cats from Melbourne in the lead-up to last season.
Geelong also won the much-anticipated battle of the big men, with Hamish McIntosh, Dawson Simpson and Mark Blicavs taking the honours over Nic Naitanui, Dean Cox and Scott Lycett.
Naitanui was subbed out during the third quarter after suffering soreness in his foot, while Cox, who broke the Eagles' games record by notching his 277th appearance, ended up with 16 possessions and 16 hit-outs.
Onballers Andrew Gaff and Matt Priddis did their best to keep West Coast in the contest, but they were overwhelmed by a ruthless opposition.
The Eagles are staring at another tough contest next Saturday night when they host Port Adelaide at Patersons Stadium.
The Cats now have a nine-day break before facing their arch-rivals, the Hawks, in a game that truly deserves the blockbuster tag.