While there had been a chance the Dolphins could have slipped out the top eight with a loss, it was apparent from the early stages they were a deserving finalist.

Sparked by a dominant midfield and young forwards Michael Lourey and Luke Clark, the Dolphins destroyed a Cats team featuring 17 AFL-listed players.

The visitors slammed on nine goals to two in the opening period, with Lourey booting four. Kicking into a slight breeze in the second term, the Dolphins expertly possessed the ball, not allowing the Cats to get their running game going, and took a 38-point lead into the main break.

The breeze picked up considerably after half-time, but it was Geelong which scored the first two goals, and a close game seemed on the cards. It was to be a false alarm, however, as the Dolphin machine again kicked into gear.

Justin Berry kicked his second magical goal of the day, Clark was providing a strong option at full-forward, Byron Barry was impassable in defence, and the likes of Marigliani, Winterton, Conroy and Proctor tireless through the middle.

When Dean Limbach slotted his third major from the deep Kardinia Park pocket, the three-quarter-time margin was 64 points, and a finals place secured.

The Cats kicked four goals in time-on of the final quarter to reduce the margin to 32 points, but this was to be the Dolphins' day.

While the usual suspects were outstanding, it was the performances of youngsters Raso, Lourey, Clark, Dickson, Dore and Krakouer that enabled such an emphatic win.

The Dolphins defeated Coburg by 21 points in their only encounter in round 12, and enter next Saturday's game at the TEAC Oval in Port Melbourne (1.10pm) knowing their destiny is in their own hands.

They will be desperate to push deep into the finals for coach Brett Lovett, who announced during the week this will be his last season at Frankston Park.

The reserves were defeated by Sandringham in the elimination final by 23 points.

Dylan Willis was the Dolphins' hardest worker, and is likely to take out the reserves best and fairest award.