AFL
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Bombers thrash Cats in form reversal

AFL

Essendon have rebounded from a week of heavy scrutiny to thump Geelong, ripping up the form book with a 34-point win at the MCG.

The Bombers were unrecognisable from their previous month's efforts in the 12.12 (84) to 7.8 (50) success.

John Worsfold's side came into the contest on the back of a loss against previously-winless rivals Carlton, sacking key assistant Mark Neeld in the aftermath.

Their clash with the third-placed Cats wasn't supposed to be close. And it wasn't.

Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell were heroic in midfield, high-pressure specialist Devon Smith led a fleet of tackle-hungry Bombers and Shaun McKernan was the game's dominant forward with a four-goal haul, all in the first-half.

Cale Hooker was superb in defence and first-gamer Jordan Ridley had 25 disposals but the Bombers had few passengers.

"It was four quarters of footy as opposed to what we've been doing," Worsfold said.

"Closer to the way we want to play.

"I know they had that performance in them."

From the outset Essendon brought a ferocious intensity Chris Scott's side couldn't handle, both out-tackling them and seeing more of the footy.

The Bombers were ruthless hunters and clean users.

Time and again they took the game on, kicking through the corridor and getting their reward with goals over the back.

The Cats just couldn't get started and saw the game slip away during an awful second term, scoring just one point.

Gary Ablett's behind prevented the Cats from their first scoreless quarter in eight years.

Geelong's Brownlow Medallists Patrick Dangerfield (23 disposals, two goals) and Ablett (15 disposals) had little impact on the contest, with Dangerfield even spending time in the ruck.

The Cats had few winners and didn't take a mark inside 50 until time-on in the last term.

Four goals in the fourth quarter, including three from Tom Hawkins, saved the Cats from a low score of historic proportions.

"Our performance in some ways was inexplicable," Scott said.

"It stings at the moment. It was a very, very poor performance."

Geelong (5-4) started the round third but could end it out of the eight, such is the tightness of the competition.

The four points to Essendon (3-6) improve the Bombers' hopes of finals, lifting them to 14th.

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