Essendon was no match for a red-hot Geelong today, going down by 78 points at Simonds Stadium.

The Bombers trailed by 32 points at half time but a six goal to one third quarter from the home side all but ended the contest.

The Cats eventually won 15.22 (112) to Essendon’s 5.4 (34).

Geelong kicked with the advantage of the wind to the Players Stand end in the opening quarter but the Bombers were able to defend strongly to trail by 17 points at quarter time.

Essendon were unable to create many scoring opportunities early in the second with the Cats extending the margin before two late goals from Shaun Edwards and Ryan Crowley kept the Bombers in touch.

Led by Darcy Lang, Scott Selwood and Jordan Murdoch the Cats then clicked into another gear in the third quarter.

Jonathon Simpkin led the way for the Bombers, fighting valiantly all day to pick up 34 disposals.

James Polkinghorne had 28 touches, Jackson Merrett had 24 and Ryan Crowley gathered 23. 

Goals came from Crowley, Edwards, Sam Grimley, Nick Kommer and Sam Heavyside.

Coach Matthew Egan said all facets of the Bombers game were off against the inform Cats.

“It was a bit of everything to be honest, it was a day where they played well, a lot of the things we tried didn’t work,” Egan said.

“Our kicking execution was off, we just couldn’t seem to get an uncontested mark or create our ball movement. Our work rate to spread was off both ways so we couldn’t get any easy ball outside to attack and got beaten on the outside when we were defending.

“Geelong are a really good side, they transitioned well and spread really hard and used the ball well and are such a high scoring team.”

The coaches were optimistic after an encouraging opening quarter,

“We were in the game at quarter time, I thought we were doing a lot right but it changed pretty quickly,” Egan said.

“I didn’t think we responded when the heat come on, we could have been better at still creating and not dropping off.”

The day wasn’t completely void of positives according to the coach.

“There were a few positives. We changed some things around at half time to try and create something. I thought Simpkin when he went to half back really gave us some run and spread that we needed,” Egan said.

“Nash Holmes played a new role today, he tagged George Horlin-Smith in the second half. George is a very good VFL player so for Nash to do a pretty good job shows he has another string to his bow.  

“Vic Carboni looked more comfortable as the game went on, he’s our young 23^rd player and showed signs where he is starting to compete and Jacko Merrett was really consistent again, that’s the second game in a row - we know what we’re going to get from him.”