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BENDIGO – Geelong have plenty of work in front of them as they prepare for their AFL season opener against Fremantle, despite Sunday's 22-point win over Essendon.
The flat Cats were shown up by the bright Bombers in the first half in Bendigo, Chris Scott's men trailing by 40 points at the main break before rattling home for the 1.17.11 (122) to 2.12.10 (100) win - their first of the pre-season.
"We thought we were pretty average in the first half and the scoreboard reflected that," stand-in coach Matthew Scarlett said.
"Essendon scored way too easily, we weren't great around the footy and our forwards couldn't lock the ball in the front half.
"We've shown that we can play some great footy but we've shown at times that we're average as well.
"We've got plenty of work to do."
Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood were the catalysts for the revival, Geelong's dynamic duo ending with 38 and 32 possessions respectively.
Tom Hawkins finished off their good work in attack with four goals, all of them in the third term, while Daniel Menzel added three majors.
The Bombers are entering a season of unknowns as they regroup after last year's doping bans but they will draw plenty of confidence from their first-half performance.
John Worsfold's men simply played with greater intensity and verve than the Cats to lead by 16 points at quarter-time and extended that advantage at the main break.
"Overall, we're pretty happy - a bit disappointed with that poor third quarter - but we're rapt with a lot of the stuff that we saw," Worsfold said.
"The way the boys fought on undermanned in the ruck and still held up okay in the midfield.
"We're pleased with how the forward line is coming together ... to kick a hundred points against a good team is pleasing."
Of concern for Essendon, ruckman Matthew Leuenberger limped to the bench in the first quarter and had his left hamstring iced and must be in some doubt for round one.
However, Shaun McKernan stepped up in Leuenberger's absence, providing a good contest at the stoppages and kicking three goals, including a supergoal.
Worsfold is hopeful Leuenberger's injury is at the low end of the scale, but has confirmed McKernan will most likely be elevated off the rookie list, with other ruck option Tom Bellchambers still on the comeback trail from knee surgery.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was a livewire for the Bombers, kicking four goals and impressing with his intensity at the contest.
Brendon Goddard led the way with 28 disposals, while Jobe Watson (27 touches) and Dyson Heppell (24) were prominent as they prepared to return for the premiership season after year-long bans.
AAP
