Geelong split reigning premiers Collingwood wide open in Friday night's AFL blockbuster at the MCG, scoring a record 96-point win a week before the finals.

The Cats dramatically took control with 10 goals to one in the second term and went on to win 22.17 (149) to 8.5 (53) in front of 85,705 fans.

Adding to Collingwood's problems, key defender Chris Tarrant limped off in the third term with a leg injury.

It is Geelong's biggest winning margin over Collingwood and the Magpies' biggest loss since Fremantle beat them by 112 points in round seven, 2005.

Cats midfielder James Kelly was best afield with 29 disposals and young forward Daniel Menzel kicked five goals.

It remains to be seen what the Cats' barnstorming game will mean for the finals.

Given Collingwood had top spot secured and Geelong had a lock on second, it is dangerous to read too much into this unexpected mismatch.

Collingwood will surely not be this out of form for the rest of the season.

But the confidence boost is timely for Geelong, given their two most recent games were a narrow win over Adelaide and last week's shock loss at home against Sydney.

Collingwood will play West Coast next Saturday in one qualifying final and Geelong will meet arch-rivals Hawthorn next Friday night in the other.

Geelong are also the only side to beat Collingwood this year, also winning their round-eight clash.

There was no sign of what was to come in the opening quarter, when Collingwood kicked the first four goals to lead by 19 points.

The Cats finished off the term with two goals, one coming from a Tom Hawkins screamer in the goalsquare, while David Wojcinski also took a brilliant mark over Alex Fasolo in defence.

Trailing by seven points at the first break, Geelong took Collingwood midfielders Scott Pendlebury and Dayne Beams out of the game after their solid starts.

Geelong's ball movement and gang tackling were superb as they steamrolled the Magpies.

It has been a long time since the reigning premiers have looked so off their game.

Geelong were missing Joel Corey, Tom Lonergan and Cameron Mooney, while Harry Taylor was subbed off in the third term.

The Magpies were without captain Nick Maxwell, Leon Davis, Heath Shaw and suspended star midfielder Dale Thomas.

Tarrant has an ankle injury, while Taylor was subbed off after halftime with a knock to his quad muscle.

Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke also appeared to suffer a knee injury, but he played out the game.

While Taylor is expected to be fit for the Hawks, Tarrant will be assessed on Saturday.

Geelong coach Chris Scott made it clear that whatever happened against Collingwood, the Cats felt they would be ready for the finals.

"I don't pay too much attention to the scoreboard for a start," Scott said.

"I can honestly say I would have said that irrespective of the result tonight.

"I didn't think we were too bad last week against Sydney, but they were really up for it and we weren't quite up for it.

"That was probably the case tonight.

"We were always going into the game thinking we'd like to play well ... but it wouldn't have mattered.

"If we'd played poorly, we'll front up next week when it really counts and make sure we put in a good performance."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse described the thrashing as "a shocking night", but again was philosophical ahead of the finals, where the Magpies remain the team to beat.

Asked for his reaction to such a heavy loss, he replied: "you are going to be just as quick to answer that as I am, because you're probably thinking 'how in the hell?'

"Geelong were fantastic and they were fantastic all night.

"But I'm not saying here I'm not surprised ... a little loss, a little win perhaps could have been looked at and gone 'yeah, OK'."

He noted that halfway through the second term when they were losing badly, there was "not a yelp", but also noted "what have you got invested? What's the net outcome now of busting a boiler?"

"I'm not saying that's right, wrong or indifferent and it takes too much away from Geelong.

"But the reality is this - we will not be the first nor last side that this has happened to.

"It won't be fatal, but you don't want it to be hanging around, either."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP