GEELONG'S unbeaten start to the season has ended at seven with an eight-point loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.
The 10.14 (74) to 9.12 (66) result also sees the Cats drop from top spot, handing the role of ladder leader to Sydney.
DEMONS v CATS Full match coverage and stats
In a bizarre stretch from late in the first quarter to early in the third both teams failed to kick a goal, managing to slot 14 behinds between them.
Eventually Kade Chandler squeezed through a set shot, followed by an amazing left foot snap from Tyson Stengle and normal play resumed.
Both clubs have already established their bona fides as premiership contenders and the match played out - wayward finishing aside - as a high-quality contest.
There was less than a goal in it at each change of ends, with Geelong holding a two-point lead at three-quarter time.
Melbourne kicked the first two goals of the final term and the momentum seemed to be running the Demons' way, but the Cats slotted the next two to edge back in front.
Then it was Kysaiah Pickett and Caleb Windsor for Melbourne, answered by the unlikely Zach Guthrie.
Just when it seemed Geelong would find the next to again snatch the lead it was an amazing matchwinner and Goal of the Year contender at the other end of the ground from Bayley Fritsch that sealed the win.
Max Holmes was Geelong's major ball winner with an equal game-high 31 disposals and 695 metres gained.
Zach Guthrie (24 disposals, 1 goal), Tom Atkins (22 disposals, 11 tackles), Gryan Miers (22 disposals, 8 score involvements) and Tom Stewart (21 disposals, 6 marks) were also busy on the night.
Geelong will return to GMHBA Stadium to host Port Adelaide on Friday night at 7.10pm.
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MELBOURNE 3.2 3.7 5.14 10.14 (74)
GEELONG 2.4 2.8 6.10 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Melbourne: Fritsch 3, Pickett 2, Petty, Chandler, Langdon, Gawn, Windsor
Geelong: O.Henry 3, Stengle 2, Dempsey, Clark, Close, Z.Guthrie
BEST
Melbourne: Lever, Petracca, Gawn, Oliver, Fritsch, May
Geelong: Holmes, Z.Guthrie, Atkins, Stewart, Miers
INJURIES
Melbourne: TBC
Geelong: Bruhn (shoulder)
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Bailey Laurie, replaced Jack Billings in the fourth term
Geelong: Gary Rohan, replaced Tanner Bruhn in the third term
Crowd: 51,795 at the MCG
