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From Bendigo Advertiser

GEELONG yesterday proved why it is one of the favourites to win this year's VFL premiership after defeating the Metricon Bendigo Bombers by 32 points at Skilled Stadium.

The star-studded Cats won their fifth straight game, leading from start to finish in a 20.16 (136) to 16.8 (104) victory to leave the Bombers with just one win after six rounds.

Bendigo found itself behind the eight-ball from the outset as the Cats had kicked 3.3 inside the first 13 minutes before the Bombers had scored.

All six of Geelong's early scoring shots came from marks inside 50, while around the ground, Cats ruckman Steven King was giving his on-ballers an arm chair ride.

Like they would do all throughout the game though, the Bombers rallied, kicking three consecutive goals of their own, including two to Kyle Reimers, to draw within three points at the 25-minute mark.

However, Geelong answered with two late goals to King, who was resting at fullforward, to push the Cats' lead out to 15 points at quarter-time.

The Bombers would get no closer for the rest of the match, despite gaining control of the contest during periods in each of the second, third and final terms.

Bendigo was able to kick multiple goals in a row in each of the final three quarters to work their way back into the contest, but each time the Bombers seriously threatened, the Cats, whose biggest lead for the day was 42 points at the 10-minute mark of the third term, were able to answer the challenge.

"It was very frustrating because we were able to find ways to get the margin back to two or three goals, but then through concentration lapses and errors, Geelong was able to get its lead back out to five or six goals," Bombers coach Matthew Knights said.

"We just couldn't get any momentum at all."

Like Knights predicted they would pre-game, the Bombers found themselves in a position in the final term to seriously challenge for the win.

The seven-goal deficit Bendigo faced during the third term had been whittled back to 21 points at the seven-minute mark of the final quarter following Kepler Bradley's third goal and a superb set shot from Aaron Connaughton from a tight angle.

But the Cats showed their class, reasserting their authority on the contest when necessary by kicking four of the final seven goals to runaway with the match.

Bradley finished with five goals for the Bombers, while he also took 10 marks as he provided a good target up forward.

Jason Cloke kicked three goals playing a mix of forward and wing as he continued his outstanding form for the Bombers, while Connaughton, defender Dean Dick, captain Simon Rosa across half-back and Chris Heffernan all played well for Bendigo, which sits in 11th position on the ladder.

King kicked four goals for the Cats, as did former Melbourne and West Coast Eagles' player Phil Read.