Geelong went to Brisbane on a mission and were dominant in pulling off a 41-point win over the Lions at the Gabba.

Chris Scott’s Cats blitzed the back-to-back premiers in the Grand Final rematch on the back of a remarkable Shaun Mannagh performance.

The 28-year-old kicked five goals, had 30 touches and 14 score involvements in a career outing which was praised by Kane Cornes.

“What a performance it was from the Cats,” Cornes said on SEN’s Fireball.

“They came here on a mission in front of just under 30,000 at the Gabba.

“A few weeks ago we spoke about the Port Adelaide loss to the Cats and we were sort of saying, well is this the first sign that they're about to fall off a cliff? Or will they do what they always do and regather? And regather they have.

“It was the Shaun Mannagh game, we’re calling it. 30 disposals, 14 score involvements and five goals.

“Pick 36 in the 2023 draft. He was overlooked in seven drafts, went and plied his trade in the VFL and the Cats said, ‘You know what, we'll just get another mature-ager who's going to be a match-winner for us’.

“His last three weeks he has kicked 12 goals. Extraordinary performance and there's a few recruiters waking up with their tail between their legs this mornings saying ‘how did we not pick this guy?’.”

Co-host David King marvelled at the tactics Scott used, sending defender Jack Henry forward to mind Lions co-captain and intercept king Harris Andrews.

“When you set a game up like that, you’ve just got to stand back and clap,” he added.

“To throw Jack Henry forward to tag Harris Andrews or to orchestrate the fact that if Harris wants to play on the opponent that he chooses, he's going to be miles from goals. So that disrupted their backline immediately.

“Harris took one intercept mark for the night. They took three intercept marks in their defensive 50, which is the worst result they've had for some time. So that's a big tick.”

King then pointed out the performance of Cats defender Tom Stewart who had 28 touches, 17 intercept possessions and took seven intercept marks - providing a lesson for all wannabe intercept defenders.

“And then Tom Stewart, it wasn't lost on me,” he added.

“Clearly he wasn't there for the Grand Final and he was awesome in the Qualifying Final. He was unbelievable last night.

“17 intercepts, seven intercept marks. It was a game that all prospective defenders should watch. How to be on a man, then off him. How to play the dominant positioning at every single moment.

“I marvel at what this guy has become. I don't know where he sits in the pantheon of defenders.

“Corey Enright was one of my favourites with number 44 on, and I'll tell you what, Stewart is fast at catching him.”

Stewart was immense in his 201st AFL game, amassing his most disposals in 12 outings against the Lions.

The Cats now sit third on the ladder with a 7-3 record and next take on top-of-the-table Sydney at GMHBA Stadium.