Geelong has secured its 10th consecutive win for Joel Selwood’s 350th game to re-affirm their premiership favouritism.
A bewildering second-half blitz was enough to kill any hopes the Dogs held for an upset at the Cattery after building some momentum in the last two weeks, ending in a 94-66 defeat.
The Dogs and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan seemed to start the game with the same energy they ended with against the Demons last week when they came away 110-100 victors, and as a result, they found themselves up by 11 points at the main break.
However, it was the Cats who surged out of the blocks in the third term, kicking eight goals to none to assert the dominance we expect to see from the blue and white hoops at GMHBA Stadium and icing the game.
Ultimately, the Cats’ ability to gain territory and collect repeat entries was too much for the Dogs who were swamped by the might of Chris Scott’s men.
Brad Close (one goal, 19 disposals) had one of his career-best games, while Patrick Dangerfield (one goal, 26 disposals), Isaac Smith (one goal, 26 disposals) and Cam Guthrie (two goals, 25 touches) did as they pleased and ruled the midfield battle.
The return of Tom Stewart from suspension added a bow to the arrow for the rampant Cats, with the All-Australian defender collecting 22 disposals alongside 10 marks.
Superstar captain Joel Selwood ended with 13 disposals and will be proud of his side's performance after being pressed early.
For the Dogs, Josh Dunkley (two goals, 24 touches), Ed Richards (28 disposals, 11 marks), Bailey Dale (25 disposals, seven marks) and Marcus Bontempelli (23 touches) fought hard all day to no avail but could hold their heads high.
Gary Rohan was subbed off after a marking contest resulted in a failing of the concussion protocols, introducing Brandon Parfitt into his first game of senior football in four weeks, while Dangerfield left the ground and had his left arm assessed.
The Cats remain at GMHBA Stadium next week in a clash against St Kilda, the last side to defeat them, while the Dogs host Fremantle in one of the games of the round at Marvel Stadium.
FULL SCORE
Geelong: 1.2, 4.6, 12.8, 14.10 (94)
Western Bulldogs: 4.3, 6.5, 6.8, 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 2, Rohan 2, Cameron 2, Stengle 2, Guthrie 2, Close, Dangerfield, Miers, Smith
Western Bulldogs: Weightman 3, Ugle-Hagan 2, Dunkley 2, Johannisen, English
BEST
Geelong: P Dangerfield, B Close, M Duncan, T Stewart, T Stengle, C Guthrie, I Smith, J Cameron
Western Bulldogs: B Dale, M Bontempelli, J Dunkley, E Richards, C Weightman
INJURIES
Geelong: Gary Rohan (concussion), P Dangerfield (left arm)
Western Bulldogs: n/.a