The Cats kicked 20.11 (131) to Richmond's 13.9 (87).
After slipping 19 points behind the Tigers midway through the second quarter, the Cats woke from their slumber.
They began to win the ball out of the centre (after being thrashed in that area early) and kicked four consecutive goals to regain the lead just before half-time.
From that point on, the Cats dominated.
Five talking points: Richmond v Geelong
Geelong coach Chris Scott admitted he was in a good mood after the game but was not exactly celebrating at half-time.
"We had some specific things that we needed to get right," Scott said of his approach at half-time.
"We were actually a little bit disappointed that we weren’t following through on some of the things we talked about during the week. But that improved a lot during the second half."
A pulsating start to the third quarter was critical to the result.
In that time Geelong kicked three goals while Richmond lost its two big men, Ivan Maric and Tyrone Vickery, to injury.
Vickery was subbed off after a head clash with 200-gamer Steve Johnson, while a brave Maric returned but was running with a limp for the rest of the game.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said that the injuries affected the team strategies, and from that moment on he was trying to plug holes in all parts of the ground..
The Cats' small forwards were the difference during that period.
Allen Christensen was brilliant in attack and through the midfield, Mathew Stokes' creativity shone and Mitch Duncan showed his class.
Click here to vote for the three best Geelong players from the game
Up until that point Richmond had showed it could compete with the Cats.
It dominated the centre clearances, leading that statistic 12-4 at half-time, but couldn't control the game.
Too often the Tigers coughed up the ball with a skill error, Troy Chaplin's speculative handball into the middle of the forward 50 late in the second quarter that led to a Christensen goal the most blatant example of their occasionally errant disposal.
"They are the sort of mistakes that the good sides make you make, but we have to eradicate," Hardwick said.
Even with the ball going inside Richmond's forward 50 the Cats were able to bring it to ground where champion Corey Enright (in his 250th game), Andrew Mackie and their heir apparent Cameron Guthrie just swept it away.
That was just part of what was upsetting Tiger fans however; not seeing Richmond receive a free kick in the second quarter did little for their mood.
At times it felt it would have been easier to win a grin from the Mona Lisa than a free kick if you were a Tiger fan.
Geelong's band of ball thieves at ground level were too good and the Cats overpowered the opposition.
"They are a good side," Hardwick said. "They are obviously six and zero for a reason. They are outstanding."
Riewoldt battled hard after suffering a corked thigh early in the game yet never threatened.
Click here to vote for the three best Richmond players from the game
A couple of cameos from Jake King – one goal coming courtesy of a Jack Riewoldt tap – were the other highlights in another disappointing night for Richmond.
Ricky Petterd was reasonable for the Tigers and Shane Edwards and Daniel Jackson did their jobs.
However when Enright kicked a set shot from the boundary (the 10th goal he has kicked at the MCG in his career) and every teammate ran to congratulate him it capped off a brilliant night for the Cats.
Richmond now takes on Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium while Geelong prepare for the match of the round against undefeated Essendon on Friday night.
GEELONG 3.3 9.3 15.7 20.11 (131)
RICHMOND 4.1 8.4 11.7 13.9 (87)
GOALS
Geelong: Christensen 3, Bartel 2, Johnson 2 Smedts 2, Hawkins 2, Duncan 2, Stokes 2, Murdoch, West, Selwood, Enright, Blicavs.
Richmond: King 4, Riewoldt 3, Martin 2, Knights, McGuane, Ellis, Grigg.
BEST
Geelong: Christensen, Johnson, Duncan, Stokes, Selwood, Enright.
Richmond: Edwards, Jackson, Newman, Cotchin, Petterd.
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil.
Richmond: Vickery (concussion).
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: George Horlin-Smith replaced Jordan Murdoch in the third quarter.
Richmond: Matt White replaced Tyrone Vickery in the third quarter.
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Mathew Nicholls, Chris Kamolins.
Official crowd: 55,625 at the MCG.
