Geelong has bounced back from its shock defeat to Hawthorn in round four, defeating North Melbourne by 60 points at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The Cats were never threatened and registered their ninth consecutive victory against the Roos, 17.19 (121) to 9.7 (61).

Geelong’s star forward duo of Jeremy Cameron (seven goals) and Tom Hawkins (four) had a day out, combing for 11 goals, while Zach Tuohy (33 disposals) and Cameron Guthrie (28) were prolific.

The Cats controlled much of the opening term (they were +53 for possessions and +12 for contested possessions), but after majors to Cameron and Brad Close, the Cats were wasteful in front of goal.

Tuohy was creating plenty of drive off half-back and finished the first quarter with 12 possessions, while Geelong debutant Oliver Dempsey did some nice things and had two shots at goals.

The Roos lifted late in the quarter and finally kicked a goal, via Hugh Greenwood, in the 22nd minute, but a late goal to Guthrie was not what the doctor ordered for North, and Geelong went to the first break 17 points in front.

It was the perfect start to the second quarter for North Melbourne, with Luke McDonald snapping a long goal within 20 seconds, but Cameron replied with his second a minute later.

Cameron was particularly busy in the second term, kicking three goals and setting one up for his partner in crime, Hawkins, while Tuohy continued to run amok, and by half-time, the Irishman had racked up 21 touches.

A four-goal-to-one second quarter saw Geelong take a 37-point edge into the main break.

Like they did in the second quarter, the Kangaroos kicked a quick goal to start the third, with Cameron Zurhaar (three goals) registering his first.

The Roos’ joy was short-lived, however, as Hawkins kicked his second minutes later, while his third came after Dempsey’s first, which sent was well-received by his team-mates and coach.

North Melbourne salvaged something from the wreck, winning the final term 5.2 to 4.4, but will have plenty of soul-searching to do ahead of a date with the 4-2 Blues on Saturday night.

Debutants show plenty of promise

Both sides would be well-pleased with the debuts of their youngsters, Oliver Dempsey (Geelong) and Paul Curtis (North Melbourne). Dempsey who had plenty of mates in the stands, showed plenty, finishing with 15 possessions and a goal. After a few failed attempts in the first half, the former basketballer, who was taken with pick 15 in last year’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft, kicked his first goal early in the third quarter, much to the delight of his teammates and coach Chris Scott. He has poise, reads the ball well, and has a touch of class. The Cats have found (another) one. Curtis, meanwhile, who was selected with pick 35 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, finished with 11 disposals and 1.3. He did some nice things and will no doubt derive great benefit from the outing.

NORTH MELBOURNE     1.2     2.4     4.5     9.7     (61)
GEELONG                       3.7     7.11     13.15     17.19     (121)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Zurhaar 3, Curtis, Davies-Uniacke, Greenwood, McDonald, Simpkin, Ziebell
Geelong: Cameron 7, Hawkins 4, Stengle 2, Dempsey, Close, Guthrie, Selwood

BEST
North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, McDonald, Simpkin, Horne-Francis, Zurhaar
Geelong: Cameron, Tuohy, Guthrie, Selwood, Smith, Atkins, Stanley

INJURIES
North Melbourne: McKay (leg)
Geelong: None

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Eddie Ford (unused)
Geelong: Luke Dahlhaus (unused)

Crowd: 8663 at Blundstone Arena