AN INSPIRING third quarter from Joel Selwood in front of his home crowd in Bendigo helped Geelong overcome a 40-point half-time deficit against Essendon and record a 22-point win in its final JLT Community Series game.
Tom Hawkins kicked four goals in the second half in a return to form while Patrick Dangerfield was at his explosive best in the third term when the Cats needed him most.
The Cats won 1.17.11 (122) to 2.12.10 (100) to record their first win of the pre-season series.
Although brave in defeat, Essendon did not escape unscathed with ruckman Matthew Leuenberger suffering a hamstring injury in the first quarter, leaving him in doubt for round one and opening the door for rookie Shaun McKernan to take on the job.
Jayden Laverde also left the ground late in the game with what appeared to be an ankle injury while Geelong's Mitch Duncan sat out the last quarter after leaving the ground to have his leg examined.
It was cult-figure Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti who had set the Bombers alight in the first half, kicking three goals and carving the Cats up with his pace through the middle of the ground.
He finished with four goals but it wasn't just his goalkicking that impressed. He harassed the opposition defence and made Cats runners look over their shoulder as he chased them down.
He had good support from Zach Merrett and Jobe Watson and McKernan impressed with three goals after being thrown in the ruck.
After a terrible first half, when they were outrun and looked confused, the Cats stormed back into the contest with nine goals in the third quarter.
At that stage the experiment of playing Harry Taylor up forward looked wonky and all the same questions following the Cats looked likely to be repeated in the next fortnight.
They were overusing the ball by hand with 82 kicks and 122 handballs in the first half.
But the Cats put their best players in the middle and won the ball out of the centre and put the ball deep inside 50 to put pressure on Essendon's young defence.
From there the goals came for Geelong.
Essendon will take time as the group integrates but it looked exciting at times when it linked up with run and handball through the middle of the ground and could argue it was only match fitness that hurt the Bombers in the end.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Geelong: Persisting with the experiment of playing Harry Taylor as a permanent forward will take courage. Taylor has struggled for form during the JLT Community Series so the question will be asked as he looks uncertain. However the real issue for the Cats is too many talls who are performing below par with Geelong better off playing only two of the tall trio of Zac Smith, Rhys Stanley and Mark Blicavs in round one.
Essendon: When the Bombers win the ball in space they now have the pace to cause damage. McDonald-Tipungwuti and Fantasia are hard to match up on inside 50 while Travis Colyer and David Zaharakis run the lines to set up play. With the spine strong and experienced big-bodied midfielders available, Essendon has the right structure to worry Hawthorn in round one.
NEW FACES
Geelong: Brandan Parfitt was excellent early, picking up eight touches in the first half drifting up into the midfield and attempting to crumb the ball inside 50. Has time when he wins the ball but needs to improve his disposal. Parfitt is in line for round one selection after a solid pre-season. Zach Tuohy was beaten at times but he keeps running and creating.
Essendon: Josh Begley still has plenty to learn, struggling to back up his promising showing against the Suns. He will have learned from the experience and needs to play within his limitations. Andrew McGrath looked good again off half-back while Shaun McKernan may have to shoulder the ruck load in round one with Matthew Leuenberger and Tom Bellchambers battling injury.
NEXT UP
Geelong heads west to see if Fremantle has improved on last year's performance with a relatively fit list and the Dockers will likely be missing Hayden Ballantyne. The news Hawthorn had suspended Luke Hodge for round one would have buoyed Essendon, who goes into the game an even-money chance.
GEELONG 0.2.4 0.5.7 1.13.10 1.17.11 (122)
ESSENDON 0.5.2 2.9.5 2.11.6 2.12.10 (100)
SUPERGOALS
Geelong: Mackie
Essendon: McKernan, Merrett
GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 4, Menzel 3, Selwood 2, Cockatoo 2, Taylor, Murdoch, Horlin-Smith, Lang, Murdoch, McCarthy
Essendon: McDonald-Tipungwuti 4, McKernan 2, Stewart 2, Daniher 2, Langford, Ambrose
BEST
Geelong: Selwood, Dangerfield, Henderson, Mackie, Cockatoo, Hawkins
Essendon: McDonald-Tipungwuti, Watson, Merrett, McKernan, Heppell
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Essendon: Leuenberger (hamstring), Laverde (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Eleni Glouftsis, Justin Schmitt, Leigh Fisher
Official crowd: 8391 at Queen Elizabeth Oval
