Cats shrug off Tigers

Geelong has overcome a slow start to maintain its unbeaten record this season with a comprehensive 30-point victory over Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

Richmond enjoyed more of the play during the opening half and even led by 20 points midway through the second term, but Geelong upped the ante after half-time to run out 14.15 (99) to 10.9 (69) winners.

It was a day for old fashioned wet weather football as the constant rain and slippery conditions made field position on the ground just as important as player's skills.

But the Geelong midfield, led by Gary Ablett and Jimmy Bartel, seemed to adapt to the conditions better than their Richmond counterparts, as the Cats booted seven goals to one during a dominant third term to set-up the comfortable victory.

Ablett finished the match with an equal game-high 27 possessions, while fellow midfielders Joel Selwood, Paul Chapman, Cameron Ling and Bartel were a constant force after slow starts to the match.

With Troy Simmonds giving his midfielders first use of the ball and Nathan Foley well on top of Ling in the middle of the ground, the Tigers started the match in style.

Debutant Trent Cotchin, a late inclusion for Adam Pattison, roved superbly to boot a goal with his first kick in league football as the Tigers came out of the blocks impressively.

Richmond led by seven points at the opening change but when Matthew Richardson and Shane Edwards kicked truly after 50 metre indiscretions from Geelong defenders shortly after, the margin had ballooned out to 20.

Two goals from Ryan Gamble late in the second quarter kept the Cats in the match and when Ling converted a tough snap from the boundary line to start the third term, scores were tied.

A simple shot by Graham Polak from 25 metres out directly in front shortly after would have given Richmond the lead back, but he sprayed his effort wide and from then on it was all Geelong.

The Cats kicked seven of the next eight majors three of Chapman's four-goal haul coming in this run as the Cats set-up a match winning 42-pont lead.

Richmond managed to kick four goals in the final term through Joel Bowden, Richard Tambling, Jordan McMahon and Cotchin - but it was too little too late, as Geelong made it eight wins on the trot in 2008.

RICHMOND: 3.2, 5.4, 6.7, 10.9 (69)
GEELONG: 2.1, 4.4, 11.12, 14.15 (99)

GOALS: Richmond: Bowden 2, Deledio 2, Cotchin 2, Tambling, Edwards, McMahon, Richardson
Geelong: Chapman 4, Ling 2, Gamble 2, Milburn, Hawkins, Mooney, Wojcinski, Ablett, Selwood
BEST: Richmond: Johnson, Richardson, Cotchin, McMahon, Moore, King
Geelong: Chapman, Ablett, Selwood, Mooney, Ling, Bartel
INJURIES: Richmond: TBC
Geelong: TBC
UMPIRES: McLaren, Head, Mollison
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Trent Cotchin into Richmond's selected side for Adam Pattison.
CROWD: 37,275 at MCG

Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3: Paul Chapman (Geelong)
2: Gary Ablett (Geelong)
1: Joel Selwood (Geelong)