The Cats booted the first seven goals of the game and kept the Dons goalless in a scintillating opening term, racing to a 46-point quarter-time lead, before running out comfortable winners 18.14 (122) to 7.3 (45).

The win sees Geelong move up three spots on the ladder, past Essendon, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs who all lost this round.

Essendon's defeat means it has no breathing space in the top-eight dogfight, slipping down to eighth due to a hefty percentage loss. It was the Bombers' lowest score and biggest loss for the year.

08:16

Rd 18 | Match highlights

Recap of our round 18 match against the Cats.

Tom Atkins was outstanding with 28 disposals and 12 tackles, helping quell the influence of 200-gamer Zach Merrett, while Max Holmes had a game-high 33 disposals.r.

Geelong had 32 points on the board after Patrick Dangerfield's set-shot goal before Essendon even registered a score, and continued to pile on the goals in the opening term with further majors from Mark Blicavs and Oliver Henry.

The Cats' first-quarter dominance was underlined by 39-29 contested possessions helping them boss territory with a lopsided 20-5 inside 50s. But they capitalised on that, with six marks inside 50 to Essendon's none, as the visitors continually butchered the ball on rebound.

After being suffocated in the first, Essendon arrested back some control in the second term, with Jake Stringer scoring its opener off the ground.

00:36

Rd 18 | Stringer soccers in a beauty

Forward Jake Stringer picks up our first goal in a tough first half against the Cats.

The Bombers actually won the quarter but their forward line lacked function, only scoring on scraps, while Geelong bemoaned missed opportunities, with Hawkins guilty of several misses with 1.3 at half-time.

The third quarter turned into the Hawkins show, with the 2020 Coleman Medal winner correcting his earlier inaccuracy with three goals for the term, including a classy set shot from a tough angle, helping open up a 69-point at three-quarter time.

Hawkins continued his goalkicking clinic with another brilliant shot from the boundary, while Jeremy Cameron put aside a mixed return from concussion with a brilliant running goal after working a pair of one-twos.

GEELONG     7.5    9.10    14.11    18.14 (122)
ESSENDON    0.1     3.2      4.2      7.3 (45)

GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 5, Stengle 3, Close 2, Miers, Dangerfield, Blicavs, O.Henry, Rohan, O'Connor, Blicavs, Cameron
Essendon: Stringer, Wright, Menzie, Snelling, Bryan, Langford, Guelfi

BEST
Geelong: Atkins, Hawkins, Holmes, Miers, Blicavs, Z.Guthrie, Stengle
Essendon: Hobbs, Parish, Bryan, Heppell

INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Essendon: Jayden Laverde (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Oisin Mullin (replaced Patrick Dangerfield at three-quarter time)
Essendon: Nick Hind (replaced Jayden Laverde in the third quarter)