Geelong are "still building" four games out from the AFL finals after bouncing back from disappointment to beat North Melbourne by 40 points and continue an eight-year streak.
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Coming off a heavy loss to the Western Bulldogs, the Cats finished with a wet sail to secure a 16.10 (106) to 10.6 (66) win on Saturday in Hobart.
Cats' coach Chris Scott heaped praise on livewires Tyson Stengle and Ollie Dempsey, who both booted an eye-catching three goals.
Stengle, who recently inked a five-year extension with the club, kicked two late in the third quarter to break a North run.
The second-last Kangaroos had cut the margin to 10 points with three straight majors before Stengle came to life and Patrick Dangerfield booted one after the quarter-time siren.
Geelong went on with the job, kicking five goals to three in the last term.
One of the leading rising star award contenders, Dempsey had 18 disposals and stole six points early when he knocked the ball free from Aidan Corr in the goal square.
"Ollie has had a great year. He's maybe developed a bit quicker than we thought," Scott said.
"(He) didn't play much footy as a junior and wasn't as physically developed as some other young players.
"He's got a real feel for the game. His instincts are really, really good."
Scott was pleased Stengle stepped up when the Cats were under pressure.
Seventh on the ladder before the game, the win pushes Geelong to 12-7 for the season and 48 competition points with four games to play.
Geelong have won the past 13 clashes against the Kangaroos going back to 2016.
"We were really disappointed with the way we played (against the Bulldogs)," Scott said.
"We still think in a way we're building our season. We still feel there is improvement."
The Kangaroos' loss could come at further cost - rising star contender George Wardlaw could be in trouble for an apparent trip on Shaun Mannagh.
The Kangaroos had plenty of promising runs through the midfield in the first half but often couldn't nail the last kick.
They had more hit-outs (54-34), contested possessions (157-146) and disposals (404-351) than Geelong.
"We'd worked really hard to get ourselves back into the contest," North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson said.
"We gave up some goal-line goals … probably three or four that were soccered off the line - good sides learn how to neutralise that ball.
"We had our hands on the footy so much more than Geelong did but just couldn't capitalise.
"We just need to become a bit more polished with the ball in hand."
Geelong's Gary Rohan left the field with concussion in the third quarter after colliding heavily with Tom Powell and isn't expected to play next round.
North Melbourne got off to a hot start and booted the first three goals on the back of some slick handballs through the midfield.
But the Cats went on a run of three goals themselves to take a 22-19 lead at quarter time.
Australian Associated Press
