Geelong tuned up for the AFL finals by thrashing West Coast 24.20 (164) to 10.5 (65) to complete a near-faultless home and away season at Skilled Stadium today.
The Eagles managed to stay on level terms in a lacklustre first quarter, before Geelong clicked into gear in the second term, piling on the last six goals of the quarter to open up a 42-point lead.
From there, it was one-way traffic, in a match that was drained of atmosphere by neither side having anything riding on the result.
The spectacle was not helped by some poor umpiring, with numerous baffling decisions as well as constant free kicks paid for the most minor of infringements.
Geelong's control of the game was ensured by their midfield dominance, the home side more than doubling the Eagles in the disposal count and in the number of times they moved the ball into attack.
The entire Cats team notched at least 12 touches, something achieved by only seven Eagles.
Livewire half-forward Steve Johnson booted six goals, while Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel and Cameron Ling were superb in the midfield.
Selwood, Bartel and Ling ensured the Cats controlled the middle of the ground from the start, despite Ablett being well held early by Adam Selwood in the first quarter, while Joel Corey was kept fairly quiet by Andrew Embley for most of the day.
Ablett managed just five touches in the first term, as well as giving away two free kicks and a 50m penalty which set up a Selwood goal.
But by the end of the day he had 30 disposals, including a game-high nine clearances to be vying for best afield honours with several teammates.
With Ablett, Bartel and possibly Selwood likely to figure strongly in Brownlow Medal polling, it could set the scene for an tense climax to the count, with all three a chance to figure among the votes today.
Johnson might crash the party with his excellent showing today, while Ling would also have mounted a strong claim for votes.
In another good sign for the Cats, young key defender Harry Taylor was among their best, an important return to form after he was well beaten by North Melbourne forward David Hale last round.
The one major concern for Geelong was the report of talented small forward Mathew Stokes in the third quarter.
Stokes made late high contact to West Coast's Chad Fletcher, after the Eagle had marked in defence.
For the Eagles, captain Darren Glass performed well against the tide in defence, while youngster Ben McKinley was lively up forward.
