Sydney has charged over the top of Geelong to win at GMHBA Stadium for the third straight time and at least temporarily enter the top four.
In doing so, the Swans became the first side since West Coast in round 10, 2006 to defeat the Cats at their home fortress after trailing at half-time.
The 12.14 (86) to 10.9 (69) victory sees Sydney provisionally climb from 10th up to third after kicking seven goals to one in the final term to erase a 22-point three-quarter time deficit.
A resurgent Josh Kennedy was the catalyst with 13 of his 33 disposals and six of his 13 clearances in the last term to almost singlehandedly slaughter Geelong in the middle of the ground.
Kennedy was criticised across the past fortnight for his lower than usual output, including only 13 touches in the Swans' disappointing last-start defeat to Adelaide.
The triple All Australian made an immediate statement in Saturday's game, winning eight of his possessions by quarter-time to engineer a 15-point lead at the first change.
Robbie Fox started the remarkable last term comeback with a towering grab inside 50 before slotting one of his two goals in the fourth quarter.
That feat was matched by Will Hayward, who finished with three majors, while Callum Sinclair – the sole Swan taller than 192cm – was also good with 18 possessions and 39 hit-outs.
Isaac Heeney, who briefly left the field in the third term after copping a knee to his lower back, continued his strong campaign with 21 disposals and eight clearances.
Sydney, as good as forced to go small because of injuries to Lance Franklin, Sam Reid, Sam Naismith, Dean Towers and Lewis Melican, outwilled the Cats early.
And the little height the Swans had proved more than enough.
Sinclair collected a game-high nine disposals and 13 hit-outs to the first break, paving the way for Sydney's mosquito fleet to turn up the heat with their pressure.
The Swans had more possessions to that point, shared the contested ball battle, won the clearances, had 11 more tackles – including 9-0 inside their forward 50 – and looked more dangerous in attack.
But Geelong's tall timber gradually began to improve, with Tom Hawkins, despite failing to adequately finish his work, Esava Ratugolea and Rhys Stanley rising to the occasion.
First-year Cat Tim Kelly (19 possessions) also exploded into action, helping his side to a 12-point lead at the main break with a fast-paced crumb and goal from the square.
Tom Stewart also maintained his early-season form with another composed performance down back.
The problem was none of star trio Patrick Dangerfield (22), Joel Selwood (23) and Mitch Duncan (24), who combined for 14 clearances, could do anything to stop the Swans once their roll began.
Sydney ultimately won the clearances 16-5 in the final quarter to trigger Geelong's downfall.
MEDICAL ROOM
Geelong: George Horlin-Smith, a late inclusion last week for Tom Hawkins, was done for the day with concussion by midway through the second term. Horlin-Smith wasn't even on the bench in the second half.
Sydney: Isaac Heeney, shortly after his spectacular back-heeled goal, copped a knee to his lower back or hip and writhed in pain on the ground before leaving the field in the third term.
NEXT UP
Geelong remains at GMHBA Stadium for Friday night's big clash with Greater Western Sydney, while Sydney returns to the comforts of the SCG to host North Melbourne the following night.
GEELONG 2.3 6.7 9.8 10.9 (69)
SYDNEY 4.6 4.7 5.10 12.13 (85)
GOALS
Geelong: Parsons 2, Hawkins 2, Gregson, Stanley, Kelly, Menegola, Dangerfield, Selwood
Sydney: Hayward 3, Fox 2, Florent 2, Ronke 2, Parker, Jones, Rohan
BEST
Geelong: Kelly, Duncan, Selwood, Menegola, Hawkins
Sydney: Kennedy, Sinclair, Lloyd, Heeney, McVeigh, Mills
INJURIES
Geelong: Parfitt (foot) replaced in the selected side by Zach Guthrie, Horlin-Smith (concussion)
Sydney: Henderson (soreness) replaced in selection side by Kerridge
Reports: Jordan Murdoch (Geelong) reported for rough conduct on Isaac Heeney (Sydney)
Umpires: Stevic, Harris, McInerney
Official crowd: TBC at GMHBA Stadium
