Patrick Dangerfield starred in attack as Geelong advanced to a fourth preliminary final in five seasons with a 68-point annihilation of Collingwood.

The Cats held the Magpies to a record-low one scoring shot in the first half and were never challenged in the 15.10 (100) to 5.2 (32) semi-final victory at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The result means the top four will fill the preliminary spots for just the second time in the past six seasons, with Geelong to take on Brisbane.

Dangerfield crashed packs, created scoring opportunities for teammates and kicked four goals himself, including a pair of stunning banana kicks from the boundary line, in an influential display.

He was far from alone with Cam Guthrie, Sam Menegola, Tom Stewart and Mitch Duncan all on a long list of strong contributors in a dominant performance by the Cats.

Coleman Medal winner Tom Hawkins kicked four goals and captain Joel Selwood had 18 disposals just eight days after finger surgery.

Almost everything went right for Geelong from the outset, and Collingwood couldn’t buy a trick.

Retiring champion Gary Ablett started on the bench but had an immediate impact when he came on with two precision passes leading to important early goals.

At the other end, Darcy Cameron dropped a sitter and Jordan De Goey put a long shot out on the full, as the Cats’ midfield and stoppage control led to a comfortable 22-point lead at the first break.

It ballooned to 54 points at halftime as Geelong dominated contested possession (59-44), clearances (20-9) and inside-50s (25-11).

They had 15 scoring shots to one in the first half, including three that hit the post.

It was just the second time Collingwood had managed just one first-half scoring shot in 2567 VFL-AFL matches, having registered the same tally in the 1960 grand final.

Geelong produced staggering numbers by fulltime in winning the contested possession (106-85), uncontested possession (250-110), mark (134-46), clearance (34-21) and inside-50 (46-30) counts.

Collingwood midfielder Taylor Adams fought on with his left arm strapped after it was accidentally kicked when his smothering attempt Rhys Stanley went wrong.

Adams had 17 disposals and four clearances, and was one of few Magpies who could hold their heads high by full-time.

Jamie Elliott kicked Collingwood’s only goal before three-quarter time, with Brody Mihocek kicking two of their four in the final term when the result was already beyond doubt.