GEELONG has restored pride after last week’s thrashing by Collingwood, proving far too good for Carlton at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.
The Cats needed 45 minutes to find their touch, then piled on 10 goals to two to turn a two-point deficit into a 56-point lead at three-quarter time.
The last quarter was split evenly as Geelong eased to a hefty win, 19.19 (133) to 12.5 (77).
The Blues, hoping to back up last week’s comeback win over Fremantle, were good value for their strong support early on, but a class below the Cats when the premiers hit their stride in the second half. Gary Ablett was outstanding for the winners, collecting 32 touches, while Mathew Stokes and Steve Johnson were the biggest beneficiaries of Geelong’s trademark running game with four and five goals respectively.
Besides the win, pleasing news for the Cats was the return of Tom Lonergan, brought into the side after centre half-forward Cameron Mooney was a late withdrawal.
Playing his first senior match since a horrific collision cost him a kidney late in 2006, Lonergan kicked 2.3 and was a lively presence up forward.
First-choice Geelong ruckman Brad Ottens had the better of Carlton youngster Cameron Cloke in a solid return from his foot injury.
For the Blues, Brendan Fevola kicked two early goals but faded before adding a third in the final term, while Chris Judd had 28 touches in a fine duel with tagger Cameron Ling.
Youngster David Armfield had a debut to remember, gathering 23 possessions in an eye-catching performance switching from defence to the midfield.
Eddie Betts showed plenty of heart, kicking two late goals as the Blues broke even in the last quarter after the Cats had threatened to romp to a huge win.
The second quarter was nine minutes old before Geelong seized the initiative.
Judd missed a chance to put the Blues seven points clear before the Cats engaged hyperdrive, with Stokes kicking two goals and Max Rooke another to open a 17-point break in what had been a low-scoring match.
A late 50-metre penalty conceded by Ling allowed Carlton vice-captain Nick Stevens to goal in the final seconds of the half, cutting the margin to 13 points at half time.
Earlier, the Cats started brightly enough, although wasted opportunities in front of goal meant a five-point lead at the first break could and should have been far greater.
Still, Geelong looked dangerous enough going forward despite Mooney’s absence, with Johnson and Stokes livewires while Tom Hawkins, despite being a little too unselfish for his own good, was providing a target.
The Blues tried to open their forward half and when they could get it in quickly, gave Fevola every opportunity to impose himself on Matthew Scarlett.
The Cats seemed to be getting well on top early in the second term and also started finding their range on goal.
Ablett and Johnson were creating several chances for teammates with clever handballs but it was Stokes doing most of the damage on the scoreboard.
Thompson’s men had skipped away to a 16-point lead and when Joel Corey waltzed into goal they looked to be getting right away.
But Corey hit the post from 15m out and when Heath Scotland replied shortly after, the margin was back to less than two kicks.
The Blues soon opted for some ‘go-slow’ tactics for the remainder of the opening half in a bid to stem the bleeding.
While that worked momentarily, it could not halt the Geelong tidal wave that was to come.
The Cats return to Telstra Dome to host North Melbourne on Friday night, while Carlton must travel for an appointment with Port Adelaide next Sunday at AAMI Stadium.
Geelong 2.7 7.10 13.18 19.19 (133)
Carlton 2.2 6.3 6.4 12.5 (77)
GOALS
Geelong: Johnson 5 Stokes 4 Byrnes 3 Lonergan 2 Rooke Milburn Mackie Bartel Varcoe
Carlton: Fevola 3 Betts 2 Gibbs 2 Judd Cloke Scotland Stevens Wiggins
BEST
Geelong: Johnson Ablett Corey Bartel Stokes Byrnes Milburn Scarlett
Carlton: Judd Carrazzo Armfield O’hAilpin Gibbs Stevens
INJURIES
Geelong: Mooney (shoulder) replaced in selected side by Lonergan.
Carlton: Paul Bower (AC joint)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Ryan, Avon
Official crowd: 46,231 at Telstra Dome
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
