JEREMY Cameron's left boot inspired Geelong's eight-goal second-quarter blitz as the Cats got their premiership tilt back on track on Friday night. 

But it was the spearhead's right hamstring that again left the Cats with cause for concern, Cameron watching on as his side withstood a persistent Essendon 15.8 (98) to 8.9 (57) at GMHBA Stadium.  

After the Bombers kicked the first four goals of the game, Cameron booted three of the Cats' first four either side of quarter-time to ignite victory before succumbing to his third right hamstring injury of the year.  

Not even 43 disposals in a best-on-ground display from Darcy Parish was enough for the Bombers, who lacked polish after the first break and missed the chance to move into the top eight. 

Round 16 Showreel

  • 02:18

    Hosking Rings The Bell

    Ron Hosking played for the Cats in the 1960s, hear what he's up to now.

    AFL
  • 00:59

    Player Spotlight: Henry

    Jack Henry has cemented himself as a key defender for the Cats with another stand out game against the Bombers.

    AFL
  • 04:17

    Cats Goal (R16)

    Enjoy all 15 goals kicked by the Cats on their way to beating the Bombers. Presented by The Gordon

    AFL
  • 05:04

    Roaming Hawkins

    Tom Hawkins takes you inside the rooms after the round 16 win over the Bombers. Presented by Ford.

    AFL
  • 01:08

    Tom Hawkins Post Match

    Tom Hawkins speaks after the round 16 win against the Bombers. Presented by Ford

    AFL
  • 13:50

    Chris Scott Post-Match

    Watch Geelong's press conference after round 16's match against Essendon

    AFL
  • 01:10

    Inside the Team Song with Blicavs

    Mark Blicavs takes the GoPro into the team song after the win against the Bombers.

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  • 08:00

    Highlights: Round 16

    The Cats and Bombers clash in round 16

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  • 02:18

    Danger Is Back To His Best

    Paddy Dangerfield appears to have returned to his scary best with a starring performance that included 38 touches and a goal

    AFL
  • 00:41

    Issie Soccer Special

    Isaac Smith sharks an absolute ripping goal off the deck, as the Cats look home

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Ridiculous Rohan On The Run

    Gary Rohan shows off his exciting craft with an amazing goal on the run.

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  • 01:17

    Cameron Subbed Out

    Geelong have suffered a huge injury concern with Jeremy Cameron out of the game

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  • 15:45

    Scott Press Conference

    Coach Chris Scott speaks to media ahead of Geelong's Round 16 blockbuster against Essendon. Presented by Morris Finance.

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Help Make A Difference

    Morris Finance will be donating $500 to Foodbank, the equivalent of 1,000 meals for every goal kicked by the Geelong Cats at the Country Festival match against Essendon.You too can make a difference by donating to Foodbank at foodbank.org.au

    AFL
  • 01:30

    True Country: Wye River Caravan Park

    After a year defined by the words 'social isolation', watch as we show our gratitude towards operators such as Wye River Caravan Park who provided Victorians with an opportunity to escape and connect with family and friends. Presented by Powercor.

    AFL
  • 01:30

    True Country: Holt Family

    Watch how Tom and Mary Ann Holt, landowners in the Mount Gellibrand Wind Farm, make their land available to generate clean energy for all of us to use. Presented by Powecor

    AFL
  • 01:30

    True Country: Sharkey Farm

    Watch as we speak to Kate Sharkey to showcase how her family is proof that there's great innovation happening in regional Victoria. Presented by Powercor

    AFL
  • 01:30

    True Country: Bellarine Estate

    Watch Peter Kenny from Bellarine Estate who explains how he was able to use his business to shift gears to help a social battle during lockdown for Victorians. Presented by Powercor.

    AFL

Tom Hawkins (six goals) finished the job in Cameron's absence as the Cats moved back into third spot before the rest of the round 16 matches. 

Playing their first match at the venue in 28 years, Essendon arrived red-hot and left the Cats startled with their forward-half pressure. 

Jake Stringer's two opening-term goals set the tone, Devon Smith brought down Patrick Dangerfield with a brilliant tackle on the wing and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti nabbed Tom Atkins in front of goal for his second major.

Cameron's first, courtesy of a crafty left-foot snap, in the dying stages of the term saved Geelong from its first goalless opening quarter at home in 18 years before it got to work in the second. 

With incredible efficiency, Cameron kicked two more and Hawkins added three of his own – the Cats booting eight majors from just 12 inside 50s for the quarter. 

Goals to Zach Merrett and a brilliant snap out of nothing from Parish got Essendon within two kicks early in the third, only for the Cats to punish a host of Bombers errors in their back half through the returning Gryan Miers and Hawkins. 

Isaac Smith channelled his inner soccer stardom with a left boot grubber early in the last quarter to put the result beyond doubt. 

00:41

Issie Soccer Special

Isaac Smith sharks an absolute ripping goal off the deck, as the Cats look home

15,000 Meals to Foodbank

Prior to the game Morris Finance announced that they'd generously donate $500, the equivalent of 1000 meals for every goal kicked by Geelong tonight.

That means that Morris Finance will donate 15,000 meals to Foodbank after Geelong kicked 15 goals against the Bombers.

Foodbank is Australia’s largest food relief organisation and they have been instrumental during this recent period of hardship due to Covid-19 scaling up its operations to meet the unprecedented increase in demand for food relief.

You can make a donation too at foodbank.org.au

Jezza's hamstring woes re-surface

After three goals with as many kicks, Cats spearhead Jeremy Cameron injured his right hamstring for the third time in six months. After a quick assessment from physios, Cameron was subbed out midway through the second quarter. The 2019 Coleman medallist first injured his right hamstring in January before he was named for the Cats' season-opener and suffered a further setback at the final session before the game. The Cats went 3-2 in Cameron's absence over the first five rounds before he exploded with 28 majors in his first 10 games for his new club. 

01:17

Cameron Subbed Out

Geelong have suffered a huge injury concern with Jeremy Cameron out of the game

 

GEELONG        1.1       9.3       11.5     15.8 (98)
ESSENDON      4.2       5.3       7.8       8.9 (57)

GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 6, Cameron 3, Miers 2, Tuohy, Rohan, Dangerfield, Smith 
Essendon: Stringer 3, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Jones, Merrett, Parish 

BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Hawkins, Atkins, Selwood, Tuohy, Smith
Essendon: Parish, Merrett, Stringer, Heppell, Hind, Ridley

INJURIES
Geelong: Cameron (hamstring)
Essendon: Nil 

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Holmes (replaced Cameron)
Essendon: Guelfi (unused)

Crowd: 15,579 at GMHBA Stadium