Jeremy Cameron's bid to kick 100 goals in an AFL season has stalled, with the Geelong spearhead managing four against Essendon.
Cameron was the centre of attention on Friday night at GMHBA Stadium as the Cats had a regulation 44-point win over Essendon, who challenged the home side in the second half.
Geelong, who rested captain Patrick Dangerfield, kicked clear in the final term for the 15.19 (109) to 10.5 (65) victory.
There had been speculation that Cameron could dine out on the undermanned Essendon defence, but he finished with an inaccurate 4.5.
That takes Cameron to 79 as he tries to become the first key forward since Lance Franklin in 2008 to reach triple figures.
His fourth goal took him to 300 career goals for Geelong - the 15th Cats player to reach that milestone.
Bombers defenders Jayden Laverde and Mason Redman battled manfully against Cameron, who missed two set shots late in the final term.
The Cats did what was needed to secure the win and go a step closer to a top-two finish, with Sydney and Richmond to come before the finals.
Defender Jack Henry was a concerning casualty, subbed out at halftime with hamstring tightness, but coach Chris Scott said they are confident it is not serious.
Cats star Bailey Smith had a team-best 31 possessions and racked up nine clearances, while Archie Roberts (33 disposals) and Liam McMahon (four goals) impressed for Essendon.
"We were okay in parts - our execution was a bit off. It sounds a bit picky to come away from a game with so many scoring shots, saying that, but the game was really 'on' in the third quarter," Scott said.
"It didn't feel at that stage like it was a game against a team that just don't have any players left.
The Cats over-used the ball at times, especially in attack, and their coach reminded them at halftime to have a shot on goal if they were within range.
But he was unsure if that was because they were trying to feed Cameron.
"If those balls were going to him, maybe we'd be creating a problem that doesn't exist," Scott said.
"It's more an overall thing.
"Has anyone spoken to him about the 100? I don't know how driven he is to get there."
Essendon veteran Dylan Shiel will come under video scrutiny for an incident in the second term when he pushed opponent Mark O'Connor.
That put O'Connor in the way of Bombers newcomer Luamon Lual, who catapulted over the top of the Geelong player and landed heavily on his upper back.
"I'm not sure you can be suspended for hurting your own (teammate), but we'll see," said Bombers coach Brad Scott.
After a few seconds on the ground, Lual was able to leave the field under his own steam.
He returned to the game and was subbed out of the game at three-quarter time.
Geelong took 19 intercept marks in the first half - a club record - as Essendon butchered their kicks inside 50m.
Out of nowhere the Bombers rallied with four-straight goals in the third term and reduced the margin to 21 with the first two goals of the final quarter, before Geelong kicked clear again.
Forward Jack Martin was a late withdrawal and the Cats said he was managed. Jhye Clark took his spot.