GEELONG has built on the momentum it generated in round one, dismantling a disorganised and lethargic-looking Melbourne by 80 points at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.

After a pre-season where many tipped their demise, the Cats have now beaten two of last year's preliminary finalists and are playing the type of football that demands respect.

Melbourne, on the other hand, is a shadow of the team that rode its way to last year's preliminary final and is precariously placed at 0-2 with a crunch game to come against fellow winless side Essendon at the MCG on Friday night.

Geelong was the more methodical team from the outset, piling on six goals to Melbourne's two in the opening quarter, before punishing the Dees in the second half despite consistent rainfall in a 20.6 (126) to 6.10 (46) shellacking.

DEE-MOLISHED Full match coverage and stats

The Cats' slick ball movement and their efficiency in front of goal, particularly their ability to convert scores once inside 50, emphasised the stark difference between the two sides.

Geelong's advantage began at the coalface, with Patrick Dangerfield (35 disposals and two goals), Tim Kelly (30, 20 contested and 10 clearances), Charlie Constable (31 and seven clearances) and Mitch Duncan (25) getting well on top in the midfield.

Former Bulldog Luke Dahlhaus was also terrific in his second game in the hoops, setting the tone with his tackling (11) and clever knock-ons, while also finishing with two majors.

In total, the Cats had four players boot two goals apiece while Gary Rohan ended his night with three majors to highlight how much of a difference both he and Dahlhaus have made to the Cats' style of play.

After a brief interlude of Melbourne trying to arrest the momentum of the game, led by Clayton Oliver, in the second quarter, the Cats re-stamped their authority back on the contest in the third term with six goals from 10 inside 50 entries.

Despite having 25 more inside 50s than their opponents, the Demons slotted just six goals on a dismal night which raised further questions about whether Melbourne can rediscover the hunger that carried it to the penultimate stage of the 2018 finals series.

ANALYSIS Why Melbourne's stats didn't matter

Oliver was Melbourne's standout player with 44 disposals, while Angus Brayshaw also toiled hard and had to fight through a heavy corkie to pick up 33 touches.

GET GRUMPY Simon Goodwin's plan to get Dees back on track

Star defender Steven May sat out the final quarter with a groin injury that bothered him through the night in his first game for his new club following an interrupted pre-season with a hamstring injury.

There is no quick fix for Melbourne which has too many key players out of form, seemingly related to the fact that 13 players went in for post-season surgeries and their preparations have suffered as a result. 

CAUTIOUSLY POSITIVE Chris Scott seeing signs of improvement

MEDICAL ROOM
Geelong: Rohan was assessed for concussion after a contest with Brayshaw, but he was able to return to the field of play. Young defender Jack Henry did not take any part in the second half after pulling up with a sore hamstring. 

Melbourne: Steven May went down to the rooms in the second quarter after being looked at on the bench. May returned to the field not long after but sat out the final term once the game was out of hand. Brayshaw limped from the field with a 'corkie' to his left leg in the second quarter. After being strapped up he came back onto the ground.

NEXT UP
Geelong has just five days to prepare for a Thursday night trip to face Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Melbourne also has a quick turnaround ahead of a Friday night clash with an under the pump Essendon.

GEELONG        6.1       7.4       13.4     20.6 (126)
MELBOURNE    2.2       3.4       3.9       6.10 (46) 

GOALS
Geelong: Rohan 3, Selwood 2, Dahlhaus 2, Hawkins 2, Dangerfield 2, Miers, Kelly, O'Connor, Duncan, Ratugolea, Parfitt, Menegola, Clark, Constable
Melbourne: Melksham 2, Weideman, Lockhart, Viney, Brayshaw

BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Kelly, Duncan, Dahlhaus, Selwood, Stewart, Constable
Melbourne: Oliver, Brayshaw, Viney, Harmes

INJURIES
Geelong: Henry (hamstring)
Melbourne: May (groin)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: McInerney, Williamson, Wallace 

Official crowd: 27,561 at GMHBA Stadium