Premiers Geelong thumped Fremantle by 74 points, but the match was overshadowed by an ugly incident that could have Docker Dean Solomon suspended for several weeks and an injury to star Cats midfielder Gary Ablett.

Solomon was reported for hitting Geelong midfielder Cameron Ling with an elbow to the head in the opening quarter of the Cats' 18.10 (118) to 6.8 (44) win at Skilled Stadium.

And Ablett, the Brownlow Medal favourite, broke down late in the second quarter after appearing to roll an ankle as he stumbled over Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley.

Solomon's hit was one of several incidents in a fiery opening term in which the Dockers went out with the clear intention of softening up the ladder-leading Cats.

But the match turned from niggly to nasty once Solomon lined up Ling from about 25 metres, ran in at pace and landed an elbow to his face well after the midfielder had disposed of the ball.

Ling left the ground groggily in the hands of two trainers with a suspected cheekbone injury, and did not play any further part in the match.

Spot fires continued throughout the game, but any thoughts the Dockers' rough house tactics might spark an upset were dashed in the second term.

Geelong booted three goals and held the Dockers without a major to open up a 33-point halftime lead.

Even without Ablett and Ling, Cats midfielders Joel Selwood and Joel Corey ran riot in the third term as their side kicked the opening four goals of the quarter to put the issue beyond doubt.

The Cats finished things off with a five goals to one final term, including the last three as Fremantle fell apart entirely.

Geelong forward Tom Lonergan finished with four goals, while ruckman Brad Ottens booted three.

Chris Tarrant was Fremantle's leading goalkicker with three of the Dockers' six.

The win was Geelong's 14th in 15 matches this season and keeps them at the top of the AFL ladder.

Fremantle have just two wins for the season.

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