Gary Ablett helps celebrate a Mitch Duncan goal. Picture: AFL Photos

GEELONG has held off a surging Melbourne outfit to claim its second win of the season.

CATS BOUNCE BACK Full match coverage and stats

The Cats recorded a three-point victory, but Melbourne kicked three of the last four goals of the game and came close to stealing the points.

06:25

Highlights: Melbourne v Geelong

The Demons and Cats clash in round four

The third term proved crucial for Geelong as they kicked four goals to one on the way to the final score line of 7.5 (47) to 6.8 (44).

Midfielders Sam Menegola (25 disposals), Cam Guthrie (24 disposals and a goal), Patrick Dangerfield (22 disposals and a goal) and Joel Selwood (23 disposals) were crucial in setting up the win.  

03:47

Watch the last two minutes: Melb v Geel

Enjoy the thrilling final moments between the Demons and the Cats

Geelong's defence was valiant for most of the day, but the win was soured after star defender Tom Stewart left the game with a suspected broken collarbone.

00:25

Cats concern after gun's suspected collarbone break

Geelong defender Tom Stewart is finished for the game after an innocuous clash involving Melbourne's Tom McDonald

The Cats now face a challenging block of games, with the in-form Suns, Saints and Magpies all to come over the next three weeks.

Melbourne will be aiming to bounce back with road games against Sydney and Fremantle, before a round seven match up against the Western Bulldogs.

00:38

Snazzy lefty perfect from Parfitt

The Cats extend their narrow lead after a clever snap goal from Brandan Parfitt

Ruck duo stand up to Dees skipper
Geelong's ruck pair of Darcy Fort and Esava Ratugolea were never going to beat Melbourne's Max Gawn in the hit-out category, but their contributions were vital. Fort opened the game with a huge contested mark and kicked the first goal of the game, while Ratugolea snagged one of his own with a 55-metre bomb in the third term. Fort came in as the replacement for the injured Rhys Stanley and held his own with 19 hit-outs to Gawn's 34.

Darcy Fort and Max Gawn battle it out in the ruck. Picture: AFL Photos

Switched-off midfielders and forwards are coach killers for Demons
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin must have been frustrated with the lack of communication and defensive structure from his midfield and forward groups. Dangerfield was able to find a wide-open Mitch Duncan in acres of space early. Luke Dahlhaus was then able to give an easy hand off for a running Dangerfield in the third term as the star launched one from outside 50. Both goals were easily preventable, but the Demons were caught napping on both occasions.

00:57

You just can't let Danger do this

Melbourne allows Patrick Dangerfield to receive an open handball and he makes them pay full price

Unheralded defender is just as crucial to Melbourne's backline as Lever and May
While Jake Lever and Steven May stand as the key pillars in Melbourne's defence, it's the versatility and speed of medium defender Joel Smith that was just as vital to holding Geelong to a low score on Sunday. Smith went without a disposal in the first quarter but played as the deepest defender and provided two stops on Dangerfield when he floated forward.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 11:42

    Scott on Stewart: 'He's broken his collarbone'

    Chris Scott reveals star defender Tom Stewart is suspected to have suffered a broken collarbone in his side's narrow win over Melbourne

    AFL
  • 06:39

    Goodwin: 'We couldn't get the ball off them'

    Simon Goodwin says his side will be better prepared next time they come across opponents who want to hold possession

    AFL
  • 00:28

    Huge collision leaves superstar Cat sore

    Patrick Dangerfield is left shaken by a heavy clash with Melbourne defender Michael Hibberd

    AFL
  • 06:25

    Highlights: Melbourne v Geelong

    The Demons and Cats clash in round four

    AFL
  • 01:05

    Cats pay for living dangerously towards the death

    Geelong attempt to run down the clock with some short kicks and hand the ball straight to the Demons, who inch one step closer

    AFL
  • 00:39

    Pickett flies and Petracca replies

    Christian Petracca answers Geelong's previous goal, with one of his own in fine style

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Snazzy lefty perfect from Parfitt

    The Cats extend their narrow lead after a clever snap goal from Brandan Parfitt

    AFL
  • 00:57

    You just can't let Danger do this

    Melbourne allows Patrick Dangerfield to receive an open handball and he makes them pay full price

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Brayshaw breaks the deadlock, classy snap

    In a low-scoring affair, Angus Brayshaw chimes in with a timely shot on his left

    AFL
  • 00:25

    Cats concern after gun's suspected collarbone break

    Geelong defender Tom Stewart is finished for the game after an innocuous clash involving Melbourne's Tom McDonald

    AFL
  • 01:27

    Match Preview: Melbourne v Geelong

    Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Matthew Richardson preview the clash between the Dees and Cats at the MCG

    AFL

MELBOURNE     0.1   2.3    3.5    6.8 (44)
GEELONG         2.1    2.2    6.4    7.5 (47)

GOALS
Melbourne: Brayshaw 2, Fritsch, Petracca, Hunt, McDonald
Geelong:  Hawkins, Fort, Duncan, Ratugolea, Dangerfield, Parfitt, Guthrie

BEST
Melbourne: Oliver, Viney, Petracca, Gawn, Brayshaw, Tomlinson,
Geelong: Guthrie, Menegola, Dangerfield, Selwood, Parfitt, Duncan 

INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Geelong: Tom Stewart (collarbone)

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