Geelong 4.6 9.8 12.10 18.16 (124) d. Adelaide 0.1 2.5 4.8 8.8 (56)
Goals: Geelong: T Lonergan 4 M Stokes 3 J Corey 2 S Johnson 2 C Mooney 2 M Blake P Chapman C Ling A Mackie T Varcoe. Adelaide: R Douglas 2 B Burton T Edwards G Johncock I Maric K Massie J Porplyzia.
Best: Geelong: J Bartel C Enright J Selwood D Milburn C Ling G Ablett C Mooney T Lonergan. Adelaide: S Goodwin G Johncock K Massie T Edwards S Stevens.
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: B Rosebury M Stevic R Chamberlain.
Official Crowd: 44,377 at AAMI Stadium. bosnian

The Geelong machine is running smoothly, as expected, but doubts are being cast on Adelaide's ability to play under pressure and whether a finals berth beckons for the Crows.

The 68-point demolition of the Crows at AAMI Stadium last night was meticulous and precise, stunning most of the 44,377 fans - Adelaide's biggest home crowd for some time.

As the Cats tightened their grip right to the end, only the brave remained to see whether they would inflict the biggest home loss on the Crows, surpassing Hawthorn's 97-point win in 1994. But, Adelaide's grit prevailed, with help from inaccuracy by Geelong.

While the scoreboard was obviously damning for Adelaide, the statistics provided more rave reviews for Geelong, which had the highest-ever tally of disposals to half-time - 249 - surpassing Port Adelaide's 239 against the Brisbane Lions this season.

As Adelaide tries to come to grips with its dismal effort, it must also ponder the possibility of its star forward-wingman Brett Burton being cited for head-high contact with Joel Selwood late in the first term - just two weeks after returning from a three-match suspension.

Also causing great concern is midfielder Brent Reilly, who received a knee injury late in the first half.

It was just routine for the Cats during a frenetic opening term in which they dominated. Terrific pace, impeccable skills and ferocious tackling - news from the titleholder that its fans have become accustomed to reading.

If the first-quarter scoreline - 4.6 to a behind, or 10 shots to one - didn't tell the early story, the stats did . . . Geelong had 36 more disposals, 18 more marks, was inside 50 seven more times, and had 19 tackles to 14. It was a magnificent start to what became a no-contest.

What was news was Adelaide's errors under pressure, and poor decision-making from defence. Graham Johncock is regarded as its best thinker under pressure, but even he made mistakes.

While Geelong continued to move the ball quickly and precisely, Adelaide also moved it at a fast rate but failed to deliver it to teammates. The Cats were calculating; the Crows impatient. Nothing was wrong with Adelaide's endeavour, just its inability to handle the pressure.

It was the Crows' worst opening term since round 15, 1998, against Hawthorn, and surprisingly they won on that occasion - but, they never looked like recovering this time.

Against the odds, Adelaide persisted and its first goal came from Jason Porplyzia three minutes into the second term, but in line with the story, defender Ben Rutten had an inexcusable fumble and Geelong responded within a minute.

Geelong marched to 6.6 to 1.1 seven minutes into the second term, and three of its goals came from free kicks - all good calls.

As much as Adelaide tried, and wasted its few golden opportunities, Geelong stepped up a notch. A significant moment was when Tyson Edwards ran unopposed and hit the post from 45 metres. Geelong worked the ball down the middle of the ground, and with a short kick and a handball chain, found Tom Lonergan on his own in the goal square for the second time.

Geelong was also strong, aggressive and authoritative in the centre-square battles. It intimidated the Crows.

Interestingly, the Cats were brilliant and forceful in the first half without Gary Ablett being a dominant factor. He spent a lot of time moving on and off the bench, the reality being that coach Mark Thompson didn't need to over-use him.

Robert Shirley struggled to curtail Jimmy Bartel, and again that's hardly news, while Burton had chances to negate the influence of Matthew Scarlett, especially early, but it didn't show on the scoreboard.

Adelaide responded superbly in the first 15 minutes of the second half, being prepared to take risks and attack. But, Geelong re-asserted itself, and by three-quarter-time was 50 points up. Read it before, haven't you?