Geelong will head into their AFL grand final rematch with St Kilda on a seven-game winning streak after outclassing Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Devastating bursts in the first and third terms set up the 23.16 (154) to 12.11 (83) victory for the top-placed Cats.

Geelong entered the match with a side significantly depleted by injury, players sidelined including key forwards Cameron Mooney and Tom Hawkins, star fullback Matthew Scarlett, No.1 ruckman Brad Ottens and midfielder Joel Corey.

But those absences were barely felt, as their star-studded midfield dominated to set up the entertaining 71-point win.

After Essendon kicked the first goal of the match 25 seconds in, the Cats kicked five of the next six in a 17-minute burst to quickly build a 27-point lead.

It was sparked by Gary Ablett and James Kelly repeatedly ripping the ball out of the midfield and pumping it into attack.

The Bombers fought hard to stay in touch, kicking two late goals in the first term, then edging their way back early in the second.

Strong tackling pressure and good work in attack by Alwyn Davey and Michael Hurley (four goals) helped narrow the gap to five points 15 minutes into the quarter.

But from there the Cats took over, kicking three of the last four goals of the first half before blowing the Bombers away with 5.3 to 0.1 in the first 20 minutes of the third term.

Pacy small forward Travis Varcoe and lone tall target James Podsiadly kicked five goals each, while Steve Johnson added four to make light of the club's depleted attack.

Joel Selwood, Paul Chapman and Bartel all made telling contributions to the Cats' midfield dominance.

The Cats have their mid-season break next weekend, before their only home and away meeting with 2009 grand final opponents St Kilda at the MCG the following Friday night.

They will enter that match in great form, with an average margin of 63 points over their current winning streak.

The Bombers had no real winners, but captain Jobe Watson fought hard in the midfield, while Hurley and Davey were dangerous in attack in the first half.

The Bombers are now a win, plus percentage, behind eighth-placed Hawthorn, who they play in a critical clash next Friday night.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson said Scarlett, Corey and Mooney were all in line to return against the Saints, while Ottens could be back against North Melbourne a round later.

But he said he had been excited by the form of some youngsters during their absence and was confident in the Cats' depth.

"We're very, very happy with our game, to have 41 shots at goal, to win so comfortably was a really pleasing result, we pretty much can't believe it really," Thompson said.

Bombers coach Matthew Knights admitted his side was outclassed in the midfield and were fortunate not to be blown away earlier.

"All in all it was a very disappointing night, we didn't get any of our game going and couldn't control them at all," he said.

He said the Hawks clash would now be crucial.

"Teams that are around each other in the middle of the ladder at the moment, if you beat those teams it might help you in the long run, so next week's clash is vital to where everything could end up at the end of the year."

The one disappointment for the Cats was the report of David Wojcinski for allegedly striking Davey late in the first half.

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