GEELONG has posted one of the biggest thrashings in AFL history, destroying Richmond by 157 points in their round six game at Telstra Dome.

In a remarkable blitz of sustained high scoring, the Cats booted 10 goals in the first quarter, 10 in the second, nine in the third and six in the last.

They won 35.12 (222) to 9.11 (65), the margin the equal 11th-highest in league history and their total the equal eighth-highest in 111 years.

Geelong's total fell just 17 points short of the highest score in league history, when the Cats of 1992 kicked 37.17 (239) against Brisbane.

The defeat handed Richmond officially their darkest day in history, as it surpassed the 141-point loss the Tigers suffered at the hands of North Melbourne in 1990.

Geelong's score was the club's second-highest overall and their highest score against Richmond.

The Cats booted the first seven goals of the game to race to a 43-0 lead in 20 minutes, before Richmond youngster Matthew White goaled to alleviate Tiger fears they might not score.

There were no such fears for Geelong, which led by 107 points at the main break.

The Cats kept piling on goals until three-quarter time - their score of 29.9 (183) at the last change was the highest at that moment of a game - until they had a comparatively quiet last quarter.

The thrashing was the first time a team had broken the 200-point barrier since North Melbourne booted 30.24 (204) against Fitzroy in round 22 of 1995.

Geelong had 15 individual goalkickers, of which Paul Chapman, Nathan Ablett, Tom Hawkins and Andrew Mackie all booted four, while Travis Varcoe, Gary Ablett and Cameron Ling all booted three.

Gary Ablett was too fleet-footed and clever for the Tigers and was best afield, but that honour could have gone to brother Nathan, Chapman, ruckman Mark Blake or fullback Matthew Scarlett.

In fact, it was a collective effort from a group of dogged players desperate to atone for their performance last week, which had sparked criticism regarding their apparent lack of hardness and intensity.

The Tigers couldn't get their hands on the ball, while the Cats – playing with the ferocity that was missing last week against the Kangaroos - constantly denied them opportunities.

Ling blanketed Brett Deledio and kept the young livewire to just six possessions, although the tough Tiger fought all evening and had a dislocated finger straightened on-field midway through the third term.

Varcoe opened up the side's account just three minutes into the match and while his celebrations were somewhat tame compared to his usual colourful display, he ramped up his enthusiasm when he kicked his second in the dying stages of the second term.

Nathan Ablett, who finished the first half with just two goals (compared to Paul Chapman and Andrew Mackie's bags of four apiece), flashed some showy skills to snap a major almost directly over his head three minutes into the second quarter.

In his first game back since his in-club suspension was lifted, forward Steve Johnson nailed two goals in the opening half – the second of which saw nearly every Geelong player on the field race to congratulate him.

Unfortunately for Terry Wallace's men, the Cats were relentless in the second half and kicked a demoralising goal – from the boot of super-kid Hawkins – within 19 seconds of the third quarter beginning.

Nothing went right for the Tigers, and their misfortunes were reflected when experienced defender Joel Bowden kicked into the man on the mark and gifted the Cats another goal, with Varcoe guiding the ball smartly through the big sticks.

It was another disastrous term for the Tigers, as the Cats slammed on nine goals to three – Hawkins the main star – which gave them a three-quarter time buffer of 144 points.

The Cats must now turn their focus to the challenge of meeting West Coast at Skilled Stadium next Sunday, while the Tigers have the daunting task of travelling to AAMI Stadium to face Port Adelaide on Saturday.

GEELONG 10.2 20.6 29.9 35.12 (222)

RICHMOND 1.1 2.7 5.9 9.11 (65)

Goals
Geelong: P Chapman 4 A Mackie 4 N Ablett 4 T Hawkins 4 G Ablett 3 T Varcoe 3 C Ling 3 S Johnson 2 C Mooney 2 B Ottens C Enright D Johnson J Selwood J Bartel K Tenace.Richmond: C Hughes 3 M Richardson 2 S Tuck 2 M White K Pettifer.

Best
Geelong: G Ablett P Chapman S Johnson N Ablett C Enright M Blake M Scarlett J Kelly.
Richmond: N Foley A Raines K Pettifer.

Injuries
Geelong: P Chapman (hamstring soreness) D Johnson (cut head).
Richmond: T Simmonds (ankle) J Schulz (corked thigh) R Tambling (shoulder).

Reports
A Mackie (Geelong) reported by field umpire K Nicholls for wrestling K Pettifer (Richmond) in the second quarter, K Pettifer (Richmond) reported by field umpire K Nicholls for wrestling A Mackie (Geelong) in the second quarter.

Umpires: M Avon H Kennedy K Nicholls.

Official crowd: 34,584 at Telstra Dome.