Top-four aspirants Geelong have cruised to a 66-point win over a depleted Essendon side at Etihad Stadium.

The Bombers lost skipper Brendon Goddard to a groin injury in the first quarter and never troubled the Cats, who had 10 goal kickers in the 15. 10 (100) to 4.10 (34) win in front of 29,254 fans.

Geelong’s 14th win of the season keeps them well in the fight for a top-four berth, but with Essendon a man down and languishing in last place, Chris Scott’s men perhaps missed an opportunity to give their percentage an even larger boost.

But after their second goalless first half of the season, the Bombers at least kept working and broke through for three goals in the third quarter to trail by 54 points at the last change.

Patrick Dangerfield, Cameron Guthrie and Corey Enright were prominent with 29 possessions each, with Dangerfield also managing seven clearances.

Tom Hawkins led the way in attack for the Cats with three goals, but spurned the opportunity to help himself to a larger haul with inaccurate kicking resulting in four behinds.

James Kelly impressed for Essendon against his old side with 26 touches, with another former Cat in Mitch Brown finishing with 25 disposals and 18 marks.

Geelong also suffered an injury blow with forward Daniel Menzel sitting out most of the second half with an adductor problem.