Geelong's grip on AFL flag favouritism tightened immeasurably on Sunday as they wrapped up top spot on the ladder with their 14th successive victory.

The unstoppable Cats ran out 15.13 (103) to 10.10 (70) winners over Adelaide at Skilled Stadium, with 12 different Geelong goalkickers featuring in a quality performance in difficult conditions.

Midfielders James Bartel and Joel Corey were outstanding with 35 possessions apiece on rain-affected ground, while skipper Cameron Mooney inspired his side with a heroic third term to ensure the Cats victory.

With three games remaining before the finals, Geelong are four wins clear of a raft of teams vying for second and cannot be caught for top spot.

But Adelaide's defeat leaves them battling to keep their finals hopes alive as they remain among a group of sides sitting just outside the eight.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson was thrilled with his side's huge first quarter performance, then their ability to withstand a Crows side who have been among the competition's elite for the past two years.

The Cats kicked five goals to one in a blistering opening term - the Crows having no answers as Geelong mastered the greasy conditions better and won everything out of the midfield.

The Crows fought back with the aid of a strong breeze in the second, and looked some chance of ending Geelong's winning streak as they closed to within nine points early in the third term.

But Adelaide missed two good chances in succession to Jason Porplyzia and Brett Burton, and were punished when Mooney goaled from a set shot soon after to extend his side's lead.

Mooney then set up two more goals to give the Cats an unassailable lead - the first from a remarkable soccer kick off the boundary line straight into the arms of Joel Selwood to mark and goal.

"They came at us and we withstood the challenge - I'm very proud of the guys," Thompson said.

"Our attacking use of the ball was fantastic against such a quality side."

Geelong have now won 16 of their 19 games this season and have not lost a match since the last weekend of April.

Adelaide were hurt badly around the stoppages especially early on - coach Neil Craig admitting his side felt the loss of ruckman Ben Hudson to a club-imposed suspension for breaking curfew.

It left Crows youngsters Jonathon Griffin and Ivan Maric cannon fodder for two of the league's most experienced ruckmen in Brad Ottens and Steven King.

But Craig defended the decision to impose the one-week ban on Hudson and two other players.

He said the Crows' player-driven curfew and subsequent disciplinary action was the right step for Adelaide to take as a club.

"That's (how much being without Hudson cost them today) always going to be open to question - we knew that when we made the decision so we stay with that decision," Craig said.

"That decision was made for the long-term of our footy club."

Porplyzia kicked three goals for the Crows, while midfielder Simon Goodwin was their best contributor with 26 touches.

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