Star forward Jeremy Cameron has failed to see out Geelong's 41-point win over Essendon at Kardinia Park amid concerns over yet another hamstring issue.
Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Atkins and Tom Hawkins were outstanding in the Cats' 15.8 (98) to 8.9 (57) victory on Friday night, but Cameron's latest setback soured the result.
The 28-year-old had two hamstring injuries earlier in the year after making a high-profile trade move from Greater Western Sydney last November.
He kicked three goals against the Bombers and looked set for a big night before taking himself off the ground during the second quarter.
Cameron was briefly assessed and replaced by substitute Max Holmes without being put through a fitness test on the boundary line.
A dominant eight-goal second term set the platform for Geelong's victory in cold and wet conditions, but it was a different story early in the match.
Two brilliant goals from Jake Stringer and another two from Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti helped give Essendon a 25-point first-quarter lead as the visitors dominated the Cats in the opening half-hour.
A deliberate out-of-bounds free kick against Jordan Ridley allowed Cameron to kick the Cats first goal moments before quarter-time and they completely flipped the script after the break.
Dangerfield, Atkins and captain Joel Selwood were all influential around the ball as Cameron and Hawkins cashed in up forward.
Hawkins finished with six goals in his equal-biggest haul of the last three years and Gryan Miers kicked two on return from a fractured leg.
Stringer (25 disposals and three goals) was explosive early and Darcy Parish (43 and one) continued his stellar season as Essendon's best, with midfield partner Zach Merrett (36 and one) also busy again.
For the Bombers, the loss meant they missed a chance to climb into the top-eight at Richmond's expense.
Essendon will host Adelaide in round 17, most likely on Friday night, while Geelong will take on Carlton.
The schedule will be confirmed by the AFL in the coming days.
AAP
