Geelong have mauled North Melbourne with a nine-goal final quarter to rack up their 15th consecutive AFL win over the Kangaroos.
Leading by less than a goal late in the third quarter, the Cats kicked clear as Max Holmes starred and they won the Saturday twilight game 21.9 (135) to 13.8 (86) at GMHBA Stadium.
Playing off half-back and then in the midfield, Holmes was elite with 29 possessions, kicking two goals in the third quarter to help spark his team.
Despite excellent conditions, only 10 goals were scored in the first half, before the game opened up with 24 after the main break.
North’s Tristan Xerri was outstanding with 26 contested possessions – an AFL record for a ruckman – and 14 clearances.
Geelong’s tagging specialist Oisin Mullin restricted North star Harry Sheezel to 20 disposals, while Cats forward Shaun Mannagh kicked a game-high four goals.
North’s Jy Simpkin tagged Bailey Smith and the Cats star was kept to 26 disposals.
Coming off a five-goal loss to Port Adelaide, the Cats looked vulnerable. Geelong made a late change, losing Jack Henry to a foot problem and bringing in Jack Bowes.
But they waltzed through the start of the match, kicking the first four goals in 12 minutes and taking a 23-point lead.
It looked like another long, barren trip down the highway for North.
While the scoreboard was a worry, Xerri was dominating and racked up seven clearances in the first quarter.
And with Simpkin keeping a tight eye on Smith, the Kangaroos steadied.
They kicked the last three goals of the term and only trailed by seven points.
The second term was a shocker – despite near-perfect conditions, there were turnovers and skill errors as North outscored Geelong by two goals to one.
North only trailed by a point at the main break, and when Colby McKercher kicked a goal in the opening minute of the third quarter, the Kangaroos led for the first time.
The game opened up in the third quarter and North were within four points of the home side after 27 minutes.
Then Holmes pounced on a loose ball and kicked his second goal of the quarter.
Simpkin responded at 29 minutes to again have the Kangaroos within a goal of the lead.
But Shannon Neale closed out the quarter with two goals, including one after the siren, and the Cats led by 17 at the last break.
North kicked the first goal of the final quarter through Jack Darling to close to 11 points, but Geelong then piled on the goals, kicking 16.3 in the second half.
