Geelong turned on one of the most ruthless finals performances in AFL history in crushing the Kangaroos by 106 points in Sunday's qualifying final at the MCG.

Starved for almost a month of any meaningful matches after winning the minor premiership in round 19, the Cats showed just how hungry they were to claim a first AFL premiership since 1963, destroying the Kangaroos 23.18 (156) to 8.2 (50).

Their victory was the fifth-highest in VFL/AFL finals history, and earned Geelong next weekend off, a preliminary final at the MCG the following Friday night and red-hot premiership favouritism, even given some impressive efforts elsewhere this weekend.

Port Adelaide also have a week's rest and will host a preliminary final at AAMI Stadium on the Saturday of week three.

They earned that right after beating West Coast 9.14 (68) to 9.11 (65) in last Friday night's qualifying final, a game so thrilling it sent the pregnant wife of Port coach Mark Williams into an early labour.

The Eagles will host Collingwood this Friday night at Subiaco Oval in a sudden-death semi final, while the Kangaroos have under a week to rebound and play Hawthorn at the MCG this Saturday night.

Hawthorn and Collingwood won through after eliminating Adelaide and Sydney respectively on Saturday.

The Hawks surged from 31 points down to beat the Crows 15.15 (105) to 15.12 (102) thanks to Lance Franklin's seven goals, including the winner with seven seconds left.

The Magpies outplayed the Swans 18.17 (125) to 13.9 (87), with Anthony Rocca booting six goals.

With Sydney and Adelaide gone and a wounded West Coast on the ropes, the path to a first premiership in 44 years became a lot clearer for Geelong, who were remarkable for their skill, savagery and intent.

It began 20 minutes before the game, when the sides clashed after getting too close during the warm-up.

The contest itself lasted just a quarter, as Geelong turned a five-point lead at quarter-time into a 45-point advantage at the main break and eventually into an embarrassing hiding for the Kangaroos.

"You can see now why Geelong have been the best side, they just smashed us," Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley lamented.

"Physically, it was men against boys."

Every piece of the Geelong machine worked.

Brad Ottens was superb in the ruck, Cameron Mooney and Paul Chapman booted five goals each, Matthew Scarlett and Tom Harley were supreme in defence, Cameron Ling shut out the Roos' Brent Harvey and Geelong's midfielders, led by Brownlow fancies Jimmy Bartel and Gary Ablett, and Rising Star winner Joel Selwood ran riot.

Coach Mark Thompson labelled the performance "awesome" after his players had bided their time waiting to show their full hand.

"We ended up on top of the ladder and for a few weeks we were waiting for this day to arrive and it arrived," he said.

"Sometimes it can overwhelm you, but today it didn't.

"I thought we were really calm before the game and I think our players were just ready for the game."

Geelong also showed what they had learned watching their rivals.

The Kangaroos were physical in round 20 and repeated the tactic again today, but Geelong absorbed the bumps and then played the game on their terms.

"We talked about just playing football, that's all we're here to do," Thompson said.

"Not for fighting, not being undisciplined, not giving away any free kicks that we have to give away.

"This group of guys they can play and that's what we should do."

After the game, Laidley took the unusual step of locking out all staff and supporters so he could discuss bouncing back but also laying down the law.

"I didn't gloss over it, I can assure you of that," he said.

The only positive Laidley could draw was that his side plays again, but he noted toppling Geelong will take a mighty effort.

"They're just so physically big and strong, their defence is very good, they keep the scoreboard ticking over and their ability to win the football doesn't waver at any time," he said.

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