Analysis: Geelong continues to defy expectations Billie Smedts and Jimmy Bartel celebrate Geelong's win over Essendon. Just when Geelong's time should be up, after one of the most successful runs in AFL history, they go and announce themselves once again as the team to beat. And they've done it, not as the old Cats, but the new Cats. It's hard to believe there were only 11 players in the Geelong team with 60 games or less last night. But even with skipper Joel Selwood kept to a rather quiet night, and Tommy Hawkins nullified with a sore back, they brushed aside an on-fire Essendon, to remain the only undefeated side in 2013. Remember, Paul Chapman, Nathan Vardy, Jared Rivers, Josh Caddy and Travis Varcoe all watched from the stands. It would have made Cats fans think, as good as the past decade has been, how much fun will be in store over the next 10 years? If the old Cats were the kings of the contested ball, the 2013 version is a vastly different model. It's no sleight to say the edge to the blue and white might now be on the outside of the contest. They are seriously quick and skilful, and they believe. Steve Johnson can bank three Brownlow votes for his midfield wizardry last night. Steve Motlop might not be far behind him. When the Cats trailed by 18 points midway through the second term, it was those two, plus Allen Christensen and Mathew Stokes who ignited the Cats. With Hawkins shut out, the defensive pressure cranked up and the ball movement transformed from long bombs inside-50m to more direct low missiles. For all the talk about Carlton's livewires, Motlop is as equally as electrifying and elusive as Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett at the moment. He is the new poster boy in Geelong. His magic show continued in the third term, threading a beauty from the boundary line, after roving a tap as if he was on speed skates. Later, he attempted a thrilling run down the wing that resembled, albeit on a smaller scale, Lewis Jetta's pulsating dash down the boundary in last year's Grand Final. Perhaps the only concern is Hawkins. Clearly, the big man was unhappy and stiff in the back again last night. At his best, Hawkins hits packs like a sledgehammer. But there isn't the same spring, nor the power. For the most part of the engrossing top-of-the-table clash, he was parked at the top of the square. Jake Carlisle, perhaps the All-Australian centre-half back to Round 7, had his measure, with eight marks to the Cat's one at half time. Hawkins kicked the sealer for Geelong from 50m that snuffed out the Essendon comeback with five minutes left in the match. But with another blockbuster to come against Collingwood on Saturday night, Hawkins might need another rest, if that's what it will take to help fix his back. Vardy is on fire in the twos, after jagging six goals last week, and will absolutely be in the Cats' finals thinking.