Cats show they can beat the best
Geelong now know they are good enough to excel in the AFL, next comes the tough task of proving it consistently.
Following last Sunday's massacre of Richmond, the Cats proved they have top-four potential again this season with a 39-point win over West Coast at Skilled Stadium, 16.13 (109) to 10.10 (70).
Geelong also exorcised last year's round 10 catastrophe, when the Eagles staged a club-record comeback to beat them at the same venue.
West Coast had been on top for the last four rounds, but their first loss of the season means early surprises Port Adelaide now lead the competition.
The Cats will be at home again next Saturday against Fremantle, who ground out a 16-point win over Hawthorn at Subiaco.
"It (today's win) has got to do something to the players because ... they (West Coast) are the best side in the competition," Geelong coach Mark Thompson said.
"The key for us is just to go back, restart and play that sort of footy again next week, which has been something of a problem here for a while.
"I'm confident we're capable of ... playing that way more often."
The Dockers struggled early against Hawthorn, but rallied for a 14.12 (96) to 11.14 (80) win, their third of the season.
In Melbourne, winless Melbourne suffered their second heartbreaking loss in as many matches.
Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson goalled late in the match to give his side a 16.16 (112) to 16.10 (106) win, a week after the Power beat the Demons by five points.
On Saturday night, St Kilda and Adelaide scored their fourth wins of the season with solid performances.
The Saints beat Sydney by 26 points at Telstra Dome, 15.7 (97) to 11.5 (71), but their shocking run with injuries continued.
St Kilda utility Brendon Goddard will need a knee reconstruction, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Injury-plagued Adelaide beat Brisbane at the 'Gabba by 31 points, 14.16 (100) 9.15 (69).
Collingwood improved to five wins and two losses with a four-goal win over Carlton at the MCG.
The two sides will sweat on the match review panel after a quarter-time melee in the 17.17 (119) to 14.11 (95) match.
The Power, as expected, easily accounted for bottom side Richmond at AAMI Stadium by 40 points, 16.19 (115) to 10.15 (75).
On Friday night, the Kangaroos opened the round with an 18.9 (117) to 13.17 (95) win over Essendon.
The 22-point result at Telstra Dome was the Kangaroos' fourth win in a row and the Bombers' third straight loss.
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