IT WAS a night for the statisticians.

A half-time possession high of 249 from Geelong that fell just nine short of the game record of 469 by the final siren.

Career best numbers for Jimmy Bartel (41), Joel Selwood (37) and Corey Enright (36).

And a greatest winning margin for Geelong over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium – 68 points.

Even if those numbers didn't win the praise of coach Mark Thompson, there was one other stat that did.

Tom Lonergan’s career-high four goals.

"Young Lonergan, that’s a remarkable story isn’t it?" Thompson said after the game. "To lose a kidney … and he really looks comfortable playing now."

Twenty-four-year-old Lonergan has made a well-documented comeback since losing his right kidney in August 2006.

The injury – sustained when backing into a pack against Melbourne in just his seventh match – almost killed the youngster and he was moved onto the Cats' rookie list in his recovery.

Incredibly, Lonergan was back on the field for Geelong's VFL team by mid-2007, and was the best player for its flag-winning side.

He was rewarded with a place back on the Geelong senior list, and got the nod to play Carlton in round 10.

He's now strung together five games and kicked 11 goals, including last night’s four.

"I was lucky I got a couple over the top," he said after the match. "But you’d take four goals interstate against Adelaide most days of the week.

"There’s a long way to go yet. I’m only at the start. I’m just trying to contribute to the side each week."

However, Lonergan admits he’s feeling more comfortable on the big stage.

"I think it’s like anything. The more time you spend doing a job the easier it can get," he said.

"I was out of footy for almost a whole year. So each game I’m trying to do more things and contribute more to the team.

"When you’ve got some good midfielders who deliver it pretty well it makes my job a lot easier."

And the battle for a spot with fellow forward Tom Hawkins isn't driving Lonergan.

"I guess like a lot of the fringe players, you’ve just got to keep performing or else you’re going to be out of the senior side," he said.

"To see them win it (the premiership) last year was awesome, and obviously you want to be a part of that.

"But I’ve got a whole lot of motivating factors. I know how quickly footy can be taken away."