Cameron boots six as Ruthless Cats crush Tigers in Grand Final rematch

Boom recruit Jeremy Cameron starred in attack as Geelong dismantled Richmond with a comprehensive 63-point thrashing in their first meeting since last season’s AFL grand final.

The Cats banked a third win in four games and turned the tables on their tormentors of the last few years with a 19.12 (126) to 9.9 (63) victory in front of 54,857 fans at the MCG on Friday night.

Jeremy Cameron played his best game as a Cat on Friday night. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Cameron kicked six goals in his biggest haul since his off-season move from GWS and formed a dangerous three-way combination with Tom Hawkins (four goals) and Gary Rohan (five).

The Cats trailed by 18 points at quarter-time but fought back and took complete control of the contest during the third quarter when they piled on eight goals to one.

The avalanche came despite injuries to Sam Simpson (hamstring) and Luke Dahlhaus (back) as Cam Guthrie (36 disposals), Mitch Duncan (30) and Sam Menegola (26) lifted through the midfield.

“The highlight of the game was that quarter and our contested work,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said.

“There were some 50-50 balls where our guys were just super.

“I didn’t think we were quite on in that regard early, but we certainly were late.”

Richmond’s ferocious attack on both man and ball gave them a three-goal advantage at the first change.

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Former Sydney forward Rohan, who celebrated his 150th game, kicked two important goals during the second term to help get the Cats back into the contest and they hit the front for the first time when Cameron kicked his third major early in the third quarter.

A series of Richmond defensive errors then led to Cats goals, including Rohan’s fourth, as Geelong seized the ascendancy.

“Our pressure wasn’t quite good enough so they went down and scored a lot of goals from the back end,” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

“Their ability to get through tackles was really, really evident.

“There were a number of times where we looked like we had them but they’re strong in the contest.

“They’re a really strong, experienced side and they’re a big side – if they get through that first line of defence they step through.

“Those big key forwards are hard to play against when they’re getting such clean ball inside 50.”

The night got worse for Richmond when they lost gun midfielder Shane Edwards to an ankle injury with the game out of their reach in the final term.

Tigers superstar Dustin Martin had 21 disposals on return after a mandatory week off because of concussion and was quiet after half-time under the close watch of Tom Stewart.

Shai Bolton kicked three goals from 21 disposals and delivered a mark of the year contender with a huge leap on Mark Blicavs’ shoulders.

Jack Henry and Lachie Henderson were superb in defence for Geelong.