The Bombers' first loss of the year was compounded by a potentially serious right knee injury to veteran winger Brooke Walker, with co-captain Steph Cain also ruled out late with a knee complaint.
Led by acting skipper Nina Morrison, Geelong's midfield was superb over the ground, dominating the centre clearances and helping the side lock the ball in its attacking half time and time again.
Essendon's backline – helped somewhat by the unpredictable yet powerful gusts of wind that rattled the old grandstand roof – held up remarkably well in the circumstances, but the weight of numbers won out in the end.
The Cats should have had a larger lead than the 11 points they carried in at the first break, Mikayla Bowen in particular battling with kicking into the strong wind, kicking two behinds with a third shot falling short.
In the absence of both Bonnie Toogood (suspended, returning next week) and Daria Bannister (broken hand), Essendon's forward line relied on Georgia Gee, who kicked two of the Bombers' four goals.
A Wale of a return
Essendon star ruck Steph Wales completed a remarkable comeback from a torn ACL, just over 10 months after injuring her knee in late October. She completely controlled Geelong relief ruck Gabbi Featherston, blocking the undersized opponent's run and jump. She finished with a game-high 12 hitouts (in a low stoppage game) and five clearances.
Up next
Back-to-back games at Windy Hill for Essendon, hosting Euro-Yroke on Sunday afternoon, while the Cats also come up the highway for a successive Sunday, taking on the winless Richmond at Ikon Park.
ESSENDON 1.0 2.0 3.3 4.3 (27)
GEELONG 2.5 4.7 6.8 8.10 (58)
GOALS
Essendon: Gee 2, Belloni, Prespakis
Geelong: Parry 3, Moloney 2, Prespakis 2, Morrison
BEST
Essendon: M.Prespakis, Wales, Nanscawen, Gaylor
Geelong: McDonald, G.Prespakis, Bowen, Parry, Morrison, Moloney
INJURIES
Essendon: Walker (knee), Cain (knee)
Geelong: Nil
LATE CHANGES
Essendon: Nil
Geelong: Claudia Gunjaca (toe), replaced in selected side by Erica Fowler
Crowd: 2359 at Windy Hill
