Melbourne’s winless AFL season continued on Saturday with a 43-point loss to defending premiers Geelong, who relied on a dazzling display from creative forward Steve Johnson.
The Cats led by 28 points at halftime and 39 at three-quarter time in a game that didn’t reach great heights, before winning 17.17 (119) to Melbourne’s 11.10 (76) at Simonds Stadium.
Triple-premiership player Johnson had his best game of the season with 35 possessions and three goals, while Paul Chapman and big James Podsiadly also booted three for the Cats.
Onballer Joel Corey was another dominant performer for the Cats, who are still yet to regather their form of 2011.
Tall forward Mitch Clark scored four goals and 21 disposals and was among Melbourne’s best players.
Melbourne kicked three goals, two from Clark and one set up by Clark, to trail by only five points at quarter-time.
Clark bobbed up with a third goal but the Cats outscored the Demons 6.6 to 3.1 to take a 28-point advantage into halftime, 9.11 (65) to 6.1 (37).
Melbourne edged within 14 points at the 11-minute mark of the third quarter but the Cats produced a six-goal term into the wind to increase their lead to 39 points at three-quarter time.
The Cats kicked two goals to Melbourne’s one in the final term.
Skipper Joel Selwood (concussion) and defender Tom Lonergan (soreness) were late withdrawals on Saturday from Geelong’s selected side.
Melbourne host Hawthorn at the MCG next Friday night and the Cats travel to Adelaide to play the Crows the following day.