A PATRICK Dangerfield masterclass has inspired Geelong to an emphatic 31-point triumph over North Melbourne, cementing the Cats' position in the top four and raising fresh questions about the Kangaroos' premiership credentials.

In a clash that lived up to blockbuster status – in the first half at least - the Cats sent a resounding reminder why they were branded flag favourites only a month ago, emerging from a heavyweight battle with a 15.15 (105) to 12.2 (74) victory at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

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It lifted Geelong back into third spot, now only a game behind the Roos, who could fall off their perch on top of the ladder for the first time since round four, if the Sydney Swans win their crosstown clash with Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.

Dangerfield's brilliance (career-best 48 disposals, 10 centre clearances, 11 inside 50s and two goals) eclipsed even his round one heroics against Hawthorn, with the boom recruit simply unstoppable in a dominant Geelong midfield machine. 

With a handball just before the final siren, the 26-year-old matched the best-ever possession tally by a Cats player, tying with former centreman Peter Featherby's effort in 1981.

WATCH: Paddy brings his own footy

All night, Dangerfield combined with a vintage Joel Selwood (38 disposals) and ruckman Zac Smith (17 disposals, 17 hit-outs) to lead the Cats to victory.

Against one of the AFL's best centre clearance sides, Geelong capitalised on North skipper Andrew Swallow's absence (concussion) and a sore Ben Cunnington (quad) to control the centre square (20-8), nullifying returning Roos ruckman Todd Goldstein's influence.

There was no Tom Hawkins commanding the ball in Geelong's attack but even without the suspended Cats spearhead, in-form forward Daniel Menzel (four goals) and Shane Kersten (three) proved more than a handful.

Five talking points: Geelong v North Melbourne

In his 421st game, Brent Harvey threatened to be the thorn in Geelong's side with the evergreen veteran igniting the Kangas with four goals – three in the second term – as Brad Scott's men took a hard-fought 10-point lead into half-time.

But Geelong (9-3) ran riot after the main break, booting seven goals in a thrilling third-term before inflicting only North Melbourne's second loss for the season.

Daniel Wells started brightly for the Roos and fought against the tide all match, finishing with 31 touches, while Sam Gibson (34) and Jack Ziebell (22, two goals) never gave up the fight – even without Swallow and with Cunnington and Nick Dal Santo (adductor) hobbled.

"I suppose it's an intangible (what toll the injuries had). It clearly had an effect, but to what level it's hard to quantify," Brad Scott said.

"But I thought we hung in pretty well given that the Swallow, Cunnington, Dal Santo (injuries) happened all at once in the first 15 minutes of the game, so it means your midfield's been decimated to a certain degree.

"But we hung in there and we found a way to score in the second quarter and get back in front, but we just couldn't sustain that against some really strong Geelong performances." 

While the Roos were thrashed in the third quarter, a Mason Wood goal after the siren breathed some life into the contest briefly, but from 15 points down at the final change Brad Scott's men couldn't mount a comeback.

Fittingly, it was Dangerfield who booted the match-sealer at the 17-minute mark of the final term, slotting his second major from 45m to extend the lead to 29 points and extinguish the Roos' challenge.

It was party time in the dying stages, with 100-game milestone man Steven Motlop bobbing up after a quiet night with a sublime soccer from 15m out that soared straight through the middle as Cats fans celebrated a potentially season-defining triumph.

Geelong is now 5-1 against current top-eight teams, having corrected a mid-season slump with fiercely contested victories over Greater Western Sydney and now the Roos in successive weeks.

"We think last two weeks for us has been a significant improvement," Chris Scott said post-match.

"Some of our skill execution tonight was as good as I have seen it and that had been previously off and we think we are defending a lot better too." 

On the other hand, North's record against top-eight teams is back at level pegging at 2-2 ahead of a crunch clash with Hawthorn on Friday night.

WATCH: Menzel the marvel's mixed bag

MEDICAL ROOM
Geelong: After four knee reconstructions, Daniel Menzel sent a scare through the Cats camp when his left leg twisted awkwardly as he ran over the boundary line. He hobbled to the bench but everyone was relieved to see him return to the action soon after. He thought post-match he might have torn some ankle ligaments but Cats coach Chris Scott was more optimistic.  

North Melbourne: Brad Scott was reluctant to detail the Roos' injuries post-match, but Robin Nahas has a compound fracture of his finger. Andrew Swallow will be in doubt for Friday night against Hawthorn after hitting his head on the ground in a Lincoln McCarthy tackle, while Ben Cunnington (quad), Nick Dal Santo (adductor) and Shaun Atley (ankle) will also be under a cloud. 

NEXT UP
The Roos take on bogey side Hawthorn, who they've beaten only twice from the past nine clashes, in a huge clash, while the Cats also return to Etihad Stadium for another bumper contest with another top-four rival, the Western Bulldogs.

Shane Kersten celebrates one of his three goals against the Kangaroos. Picture: AFL Media

GEELONG                            4.4      5.9     12.11     15.15    (105)                  
NORTH MELBOURNE         4.0      8.1     11.2       12.2      (74)          

GOALS
Geelong: Menzel 4, Kersten 3, Bartel 2, Dangerfield 2, Lang, Caddy, Duncan, Motlop
North Melbourne: Harvey 4, Ziebell 2, Petrie 2, Wood 2, McDonald, Thomas,

BEST 
Geelong: Dangerfield, Enright, Selwood, Menzel, Taylor, Bartel
North Melbourne: Wells, Ziebell, Tarrant, Harvey, Gibson

INJURIES 
Geelong: Menzel (ankle)
North Melbourne: Swallow (concussion), Cunnington (corked thigh), Atley (right ankle), Nahas (finger fracture), Dal Santo (adductor)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Donlon, Stevic, Stephens

Official crowd: 44,025 at Etihad Stadium