Source: perthnow.com.au

GEELONG overcame a sluggish start to thump Fremantle by 31 points in their AFL practice match at Fremantle Oval.

The Dockers led by 30 points midway through the second quarter before Geelong's decorated squad clicked into gear, slamming through 12 of the next 13 goals to set up the 16.12 (96) to 10.5 (65) win.

Geelong entered the match missing only Joel Corey, Max Rooke and the retired Tom Harley from last year's premiership side.

But the Cats used just 24 players for the match compared to Fremantle's 27, with Geelong's coaching staff eager to give their charges extra game time after last week's hitout against Brisbane was called off due to the wild weather in Melbourne.

Jimmy Bartel (two goals), Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett were influential in Geelong's fightback, while defender Harry Taylor kept Fremantle spearhead Matthew Pavlich goalless.

Michael Barlow all but secured his promotion to Fremantle's senior list and a round-one berth with yet another standout performance, while Aaron Sandilands was a tower of strength in the ruck and Roger Hayden was prolific in defence.

But Adam McPhee's horror pre-season campaign continued, the former Bomber turning the ball over time and again in a worrying sign for coach Mark Harvey.

The Dockers were fierce in their attack on the ball and man in the opening term and they weren't even safe from their own teammates, with Byron Schammer accidentally cleaning up Garrick Ibbotson with a solid bump.

Ibbotson was left dazed but bravely played on as the home side took a 12-point lead into quarter time.

Fremantle built their 30-point lead 15 minutes into the second term when Barlow kicked truly as the home side threatened to rip the contest apart.

But Cameron Mooney kicked two goals in the space of a minute, including a miraculous dribble kick from the boundary, to close the margin to 16 at half-time.

It was just a taste of things to come as the Cats obliterated Fremantle in the third term, posting 8.3 to 0.1 to set up the win.

GEELONG 1.1 4.4 12.7 16.12 (96)
FREMANTLE 3.1 7.2 7.3 10.5 (65)
Goals: Geelong: J Bartel 2 C Mooney 2 S Johnson 2 S Byrnes A Mackie J Podsiadly G Ablett T Hawkins J Selwood P Chapman M Duncan.
Fremantle: J Bollenhagen 2 M Johnson A Sandilands B Schammer J Crichton M Barlow D Headland G Broughton R Crowley.
 Best: Geelong: J Selwood J Bartel H Taylor C Enright G Ablett.
Fremantle: A Sandilands M Barlow R Hayden L McPharlin.
Umpires: S Jeffery D Margetts T Keating.
Crowd: 10,000 (approx) at Fremantle Oval, Perth.