Geelong has extended its winning streak against North Melbourne, defeating the Kangaroos by 49 points at GMHBA Stadium.
The Roos trailed by 17 points at three-quarter time and looked to be right in the contest when Jack Darling floated home a major to kick-off the fourth term, but the Cats responded with the next five goals to put the result beyond doubt.
CATS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats
Despite conceding the opening four goals of the Saturday twilight contest, Alastair Clarkson’s side showed plenty of resolve to fight back and then take the lead immediately after half-time through Colby McKercher.
But the Roos ran out of steam, with the home outfit gaining the ascendancy at the source and flicking the switch in the final quarter to outscore North Melbourne 56 to 24.
Following up on his impressive return from suspension against the GWS Giants, Tristan Xerri was strong again finishing with 30 disposals, 23 hitouts and 14 clearances.
More to come.
GEELONG 4.3 5.6 12.7 21.9 (135)
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.2 5.5 98.8 13.8 (86)
GOALS
Geelong: Mannagh 4, Cameron 3, Neale 3, Holmes 2, Martin 2, Bowes, Dangerfield, Dempsey, Guthrie, Henry, Humphries, Worpel
North Melbourne: Darling 3, Duursma 3, McKercher 2, Simpkin 2, Curtis, Larkey, Sheezel
BEST
Geelong: Holmes, Mannagh, Bruhn, O'Sullivan, Cameron, Worpel
North Melbourne: Xerri, Comben, McKercher, Davies-Uniacke, Darling, Duursma
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil
LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Jack Henry (foot soreness), replaced in the selected side by Jack Bowes
North Melbourne: George Wardlaw (illness), replaced in the selected side by Tom Blamires on Friday
Crowd: TBC at GMHBA Stadium
