After the Crows led by nine points at quarter-time, the Cats scored 14 goals to six in the final three quarters to consign Adelaide to a fifth defeat from six matches - 15.11 (101) to 8.10 (58).
With a strong, swirly wind influencing proceedings all afternoon, Adelaide started the better of the two teams, kicking the first two goals of the match, through ex-Swan Scott Stevens.
Wingman Brett Burton had a dominant opening quarter for the Crows and continued to be a strong contributor throughout the match, gathering 32 possessions and nine marks.
Tyson Stenglein and Kris Massie also got through a power of work in the midfield for the Crows. Matthew Clarke dominated at the stoppages with 30 effective hit-outs, but Adelaide largely failed to capitalise.
Losing coach Gary Ayres was left to lament his team’s lack of fight, particularly in the last half.
“We couldn’t get our hands on the ball so that’s pretty disappointing. In the midfield I thought in the second half they completely overwhelmed us,” Ayres said.
“If you don’t adapt to the conditions you become very reactive and I thought we looked very unsure.”
“It was as much about the wind and the way Geelong played which unsettled us. First half we were probably okay, and then it comes down to a side that I think ultimately wanted the ball and wanted to win the game much more than we did.”
After quarter-time Adelaide continually broke down across its half-forward line, with the Geelong defence well on top.
Cats veteran Ben Graham – celebrating his 200th appearance – opened Geelong’s scoring account late in the first term after taking a strong mark close to home, but he had a fairly quiet afternoon otherwise.
Adelaide conceded the initiative to the home side after the first change.
Young fourth-gamer Andrew Mackie’s hard work set-up Paul Chapman for the opening goal of the second quarter, before having a hand in Cameron Ling’s first goal for the day.
Ling had a big second term, following up with another major five minutes later, before the Crows offered some resistance, with consecutive goals to James Gallagher and Stevens.
A late Ablett goal gave the Cats a two-point buffer at half-time, before they took control of the contest in the third quarter, booting four goals in the first 13 minutes.
Moloney started proceedings with a lovely 60-metre bomb on the run, while Charlie Gardiner, Chapman and David Haynes also finished off some good work.
The Cats stretched the margin to 34 points before Luke Jericho and Mark Ricciuto finally found the goals for the Crows, but there would be no fightback, as Geelong pulled further away in the final term.
Geelong: 1.0 5.2 11.5 15.11 (101)
Adelaide: 2.3 4.6 6.8 8.10 (58)
GOALS: Geelong: Ablett, Ling 3, Gardiner, Chapman 2, Graham, Gardiner, Kingsley, Moloney, Hunt 1
Adelaide: S.Stevens 3, Carey 2, Gallagher, Jericho, Ricciuto 1
BEST: Geelong: Ling, Kelly, Milburn, Moloney, Sanderson, Ablett, Hunt
Adelaide: Burton, Stenglein, Clarke, Massie, S.Stevens, Bassett
INJURIES: None
CHANGES: Geelong: Riccardi replaced by Gardiner
Adelaide: None
REPORTS: None
UMPIRES: Kennedy, Grun, Schmitt
CROWD: 18,224 at Skilled Stadium
