A second-half onslaught has given Geelong a buffer at the top of the ladder after they emphatically defeated the second-placed Western Bulldogs 19.17 (131) to 10.10 (70) at Skilled Stadium.

In windy conditions, the match failed to live up to its top-of-the-table status in the first half.

But a devastating 13-goal second half from the Cats demonstrated the reigning premiers remain very much the team to beat for this season's flag.

Despite missing Brownlow favourite Gary Ablett and star tagger Cameron Ling, the Cats showed off their midfield depth, with last year's Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel outstanding.

He was particularly good in the second half, with Bartel and fellow midfield star Joel Corey generating a heap of drive for the Cats in the third term as they took control of the game.

They outscored the Bulldogs 5.1 to 2.4 into the wind for the quarter, after the scores had been level at quarter time and half-time.

Geelong then ran rampant in the final quarter, piling on eight majors, before the Bulldogs finally managed a goal close to fulltime.

Key forward Cameron Mooney was another star for the Cats, providing a strong lead-up marking target, as well as scoring three goals.

Late inclusion Ryan Gamble, who replaced David Wojcinski in the starting line-up, chimed in with four goals, including two important majors in the third term.

The Cats were led in defence by veterans Darren Milburn and Matthew Scarlett, who were happy to peel off their opponents, to great effect, picking up 32 touches each to provide plenty of rebound.

Fellow tall defender Harry Taylor also played a solid game and kicked a gem of the goal in the third term, when he smothered the ball off the boot of Bulldogs little man Jarrod Harbrow and slotted a shot from 50m.

Max Rooke also deserved credit for moving nicely into Ling's regular tagging role, keeping Bulldogs midfield star Adam Cooney from having his usual impact.

Earlier in the game, both sides struggled to adapt to the windy conditions, with vigorous attack on the ball and opponents blighted by regular skill errors and free kicks.

The Cats had the better of things in the first term, managing to stay on level terms, 3.3 (21) apiece at the first change, despite kicking into the wind.

But, rather than capitalise in the second quarter, they conceded some cheap goals to allow the Bulldogs to surge into the lead.

Scarlett gave away a 50m penalty to put Bulldogs sharpshooter Scott Welsh within range for the first goal of the term and Paul Chapman gave away two 50m penalties, after Farren Ray was awarded a free-kick at halfback, with Ray goaling to put his side two goals up.

While the Cats controlled the game from then on, they were only able to work back on level terms by the long break, before steaming ahead in the third term.

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