Geelong secured an 11th top-two finish since 2007 after dismantling Richmond by 39 points in a predictable mauling at the MCG.
In a giant mismatch, the premiership-contending Cats crushed the rebuilding Tigers early before managing just three second-half goals to Richmond’s seven.
As Jeremy Cameron bagged four goals to wrap up his second Coleman Medal, Geelong cruised in a glorified training run to win 14.19 (103) to 9.10 (64).
Trailing by 71 points midway through the third quarter, Richmond fought out the match strongly when it appeared the margin could blow out to three figures.
After looking on track to become the first player since 2008 to have a 100-goal season, Cameron has tailed off in recent weeks to reach 83, and will need a legendary September to attain three figures.
A goalless performance against Sydney last week could end up being the match that costs him the rare achievement.
But teammate Tom Atkins did break the record for most tackles in a season during the last quarter, passing the previous mark of 202 set by Scott Sellwood of West Coast, and ending on 203.
Geelong will enter its 13th finals series under coach Chris Scott having only played bottom-10 opponents for the past six weeks.
The Cats’ last two games against top-eight clubs ended in defeats to Brisbane and GWS.
Second-placed Geelong will meet the Lions again in a qualifying final if the reigning premiers beat Hawthorn at the Gabba on Sunday night.
Brisbane triumphed over Geelong in a famous preliminary final at the MCG last year.
Although its draw has been incredibly soft, Geelong’s key playmakers are all fit and firing as they look to win a second premiership in four seasons.
Star defender Tom Stewart mopped up every poor Richmond forward entry, booed by Tigers fans every time he touched the ball due to an incident involving Dion Prestia in 2022.
This result means Richmond will finish 17th, after collecting the wooden spoon last year in Adem Yze’s first season in charge.
But considering some pre-season predictions had the Tigers going through the season winless, to rack up five victories shows their rebuild is on track.
Dual premiership player Kamdyn McIntosh collected 15 possessions in his final game for Richmond after being informed he wouldn’t be offered another contract.
McIntosh is open to playing at another club, with wooden spooners West Coast expected to be interested in the WA-raised winger.
Luckless defender Josh Gibcus was frustrated at being subbed out in the third quarter in what was his first match in 18 months after coming back from a ruptured ACL.
