The Bombers had no answers for the Cats dynamic midfield duo of Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood, who ran riot on their home turf.
Dangerfield looks to be every bit the player who won the 2016 Brownlow Medal and will be well and truly in the mix for the award again if Thursday night is anything to go by.
JLT SERIES: GEELONG v ESSENDON SUPERCOACH SCORES
SKIPPER: HOW HEPPELL HELPED LURE SHIEL TO BOMBERLAND
TACTICS: SIX SUPERCOACH MIDFIELD SELECTION STRATEGIES
Meanwhile, someone clearly forgot to tell Selwood it was only a pre-season game, with the inspirational Cats leader carrying himself as if four points were on the line on his way to 38 disposals.
For the Bombers, midfield trio Zach Merrett, Dylan Shiel and Dyson Heppell won plenty of the ball but it was up forward where things fell apart.
WHERE ARE BOMBER FORWARDS AT?
It was a tough night at the office for forward duo Joe Daniher and Orazio Fantasia, who had little impact against a stingy Geelong defence.
Both players are clearly still working up to their best after long injury layoffs in 2018.
Daniher, who got through two JLT matches, failed to kick a goal while Fantasia, playing his first pre-season match, had to wait until late in the third quarter before having his first kick.
The Bombers now have 16 days before taking on the Giants in Round 1 and it is vital these two find their best.
SHOULD THE BOMBERS BE WORRIED?
Essendon split their JLT Series results year, getting torched by Richmond before beating Geelong and starting the home-and-away season 2-6.
This year they’ve lost to last season’s bottom side in Carlton before being beaten by a team which didn’t make it out of the first week of the finals.
It may only be the pre-season but for a side with lofty ambitions, it would be nice to hit Round 1 with some sort of winning feeling.
‘TOBY GREENE RULE’ MAKES ITS DEBUT
While the opening week of the JLT Series was dominated by 6-6-6 analysis and debate over kick-in strategies, it was a different rule change that took centre stage at GMHBA Stadium.
Midway through the opening quarter, the ‘Toby Greene Rule’ made its AFL debut.
Greene made headlines against Sydney last season for his fly-kick technique which involved him burying his foot into the chest of former Swan Nic Newman while trying to create space in a marking contest.
Devon Smith attempted the same move against Cats opponent Brandon Parfitt on the wing, pulling down the mark and looking to play on immediately.
However, he was stopped in his tracks, with all players now on notice the manoeuvre won’t fly in 2019.
STEPHEN WELLS, YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN
The Geelong list boss looks to have once again pulled off a stunning off-season of wheeling and dealing, highlighted by the form of big name signings Luke Dahlhaus and Gary Rohan.
It might only be the pre-season but Dahlhaus looks to be exactly what the Cats have been screaming out for, with his ability to find the footy, apply defensive pressure and tackle hard.
He finished Thursday night with 25 disposals and had a hand in a number of passages of play which resulted in Geelong goals.
Meanwhile, Rohan was typical Rohan, showing he doesn’t need a lot of the ball to have an impact.
He had three goals from his first three kicks before eventually finishing with four majors.
However, it is Rohan’s pace on the Geelong forward line which is looming as a serious X-factor. When he gets a full head of steam up, he is almost impossible to stop.
With Gary Ablett moving to a permanent forward role in 2019, the Cats’ 6-6-6 inside 50m set-up of the Little Master, Rohan and Dahlhaus is going to be a major problem for rival clubs.
It isn’t just the big names who are firing though, top draft pick Jordan Clark has put his hand up for a senior debut throughout the JLT Series while rookie tackling machine Tom Atkins will also be in the mix to take on the Magpies.
BEST
GEELONG: Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Luke Dahlhaus, Jack Henry, Tim Kelly, Tom Stewart
ESSENDON: Dylan Shiel, Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Andrew McGrath
Updates
Tim Kelly continues to impress and could be a POD forward option with Gary Ablett spending the majority of tonight's game in the forward line.
Kelly finished with 28 disposals, four tackles and a goal, behind only Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood for Geelong.
Dylan Shiel comes at a huge bargain in his first season at Essendon after a poor final year at GWS but proved himself the Bombers' No.1 onballer with 25 touches and seven tackles.
Former Giants teammate Devon Smith was quiet in the final pre-season hitout, finishing with 14 touches, four tackles and a late goal.
That's it for tonight. Thanks for joining us.
We'll be back tomorrow for more JLT Series action as GWS take on Adelaide.
Tim Kelly continues to impress and could be a POD forward option with Gary Ablett spending the majority of tonight's game in the forward line.
Kelly finished with 28 disposals, four tackles and a goal, behind only Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood for Geelong.
Dylan Shiel comes at a huge bargain in his first season at Essendon after a poor final year at GWS but proved himself the Bombers' No.1 onballer with 25 touches and seven tackles.
Former Giants teammate Devon Smith was quiet in the final pre-season hitout, finishing with 14 touches, four tackles and a late goal.
Geelong 15.11 (101) defeat Essendon 11.7 (73)
The Cats impress ahead of Round 1 while the Bombers finish the pre-season without a win.
Joel Selwood finishes the game with 34 disposals and seven tackles while Dylan Shiel was Essendon's best with 25 touches and seven tackles.
Devon Smith says there's not much to take from the Bombers' pre-season campaign after losing both matches.
Geelong 15.11 (101) defeat Essendon 11.7 (73)
The Cats impress ahead of Round 1 while the Bombers finish the pre-season without a win.
Joel Selwood finishes the game with 34 disposals and seven tackles while Dylan Shiel was Essendon's best with 25 touches and seven tackles.
Devon Smith says there's not much to take from the Bombers' pre-season campaign after losing both matches.
Joey takes a hanger over Mark Blicavs to get the Bombers fans excited.
However, he can't convert from 30m out straight in front.
Geelong 14.8 (93) lead Essendon 9.5 (59)
The Cats have this one in the bag now.
Gary Rohan has four goals while Patrick Dangerfield has it on a string in midfield.
The Bombers threatened early in the quarter but for every goal, the Cats responded and kicked further away.
Dangerfield's 30 disposals leads the way while Zach Merrett, Dylan Shiel and Dyson Heppell all have 20 touches.
Anyone questioning Patrick Dangerfield's pre-season form need to get their head examined.
The Geelong superstar is in 66 per cent of teams. Surely that will be closer to 80 per cent come Round 1.
Joel Selwood and Tim Kelly have also enjoyed big nights with 26 and 25 disposals to their names. Selwood also has 8 marks and 6 tackles.
Dylan Shiel shows he could be an excellent mid-price pick up as he collects 20 disposals and 5 tackles to three-quarter time.
Anyone questioning Patrick Dangerfield's pre-season form need to get their head examined.
The Geelong superstar is in 66 per cent of teams. Surely that will be closer to 80 per cent come Round 1.
Joel Selwood and Tim Kelly have also enjoyed big nights with 26 and 25 disposals to their names. Selwood also has 8 marks and 6 tackles.
Dylan Shiel shows he could be an excellent mid-price pick up as he collects 20 disposals and 5 tackles to three-quarter time.
Geelong 14.8 (93) lead Essendon 9.5 (59)
The Cats have this one in the bag now.
Gary Rohan has four goals while Patrick Dangerfield has it on a string in midfield.
The Bombers threatened early in the quarter but for every goal, the Cats responded and kicked further away.
Dangerfield's 30 disposals leads the way while Zach Merrett, Dylan Shiel and Dyson Heppell all have 20 touches.
