Cats all over hapless Melbourne at half-time

League leaders the Cats laid the platform for the biggest winning margin of the year so far with a 12 goals to one first half in their lopsided round 19 AFL match against Melbourne at the MCG this evening.

Geelong defied sodden conditions during the opening match of Tom Wills round to play a fluent brand of football, making the Demons look like a lower-league outfit as the reigning premiers raced to a 12.7 (79) to 1.3 (9) lead at the main break.

Melbourne only just managed to score a goal before the half-time siren sounded, with Austin Wonaeamirri kicking the sole major with just over a minute left on the clock.

Typically the goals were shared around the Geelong players, with eight players getting in on the act.

Gary Ablett managed 11 possessions on his return to the Geelong side and it was Andrew Mackie who saw most of the ball with 22 touches and two goals.