Geelong have recorded a 28-point win over Essendon in the annual Country Festival match at the MCG.

The Cats clawed their way to a fourth-straight win, defeating the Bombers 20.12 (132) to 16.8 (104).

The signs were ominous from the outset when Dangerfield strolled out of the first centre bounce with a clear clearance. Max Holmes did it the next time in the middle and the Cats had two goals on the board five minutes into the game.

After conceding the final seven goals on Anzac Day five days earlier to watch a 28-point three-quarter time lead disappear against Collingwood, the Bombers conceded the first six goals of the Country Game and never fully recovered from dropping the 38 points.

Jake Stringer was the only reason Essendon remained a chance in the first half. He made an impact in the centre and around the ground, as well as kicking three clever goals. But despite the influence of the box office star, Geelong had all the answers.  

Sam Weideman didn’t get a sniff in the opening quarter but kicked two goals in three minutes in the second quarter to continue to keep the Bombers with a pulse.

Stringer added another goal after half-time to finish with four majors from 26 disposals and 11 clearances in his most complete performance yet this season, while Weideman backed up his eye-catching effort on Tuesday with five goals on Sunday to continue his emergence in the absence of Peter Wright.

Essendon finished with a score in triple figures but were made to pay for such a slow start. The final margin was less than what Geelong had on the board when Sam Draper kicked Essendon’s first score late in the first quarter.

Tom Hawkins claimed the Tom Wills Award after scoring a career-high eight goals.

After returning from South Australia with four wins from five under new coach Brad Scott, the Bombers are now just outside the eight at 4-3 ahead of a tough return to Adelaide next Sunday to face Port Adelaide.

ESSENDON     2.0     7.2      11.6     16.8      (104)
GEELONG        6.3     14.4    17.6     20.12    (132) 

GOALS
Essendon: Weideman 5, Stringer 4, Shiel 2, Draper, Caldwell, Redman, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Hobbs,
Geelong: Hawkins 8, Cameron 3, Simpson 2, Henry 2, Bruhn 2, Rohan, Close, Holmes

BEST
Essendon: Stringer, Weideman, Parish, Shiel, Caldwell, Martin
Geelong: Hawkins, Dangerfield, Stewart, Cameron, Holmes, Miers

INJURIES
Essendon: Nil  
Geelong: Bowes (calf), Rohan (hamstring)

LATE CHANGES
Essendon: Nil
Geelong: Mitch Knevitt replaced Zach Tuohy (back) in the selected side

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Will Snelling replaced Andrew Phillips in the fourth quarter
Geelong: Tanner Bruhn replaced Jack Bowes in the first quarter