‘Ferocity’ was the buzzword ahead of Sydney’s clash with Geelong on Saturday and Luke Parker says it powered the Swans to victory.

The Swans topped disposals (369-319) and clearances (50-34) and saved their battle-hardened best for the final stanza in clawing back a 22-point deficit at the final change to clinch a 17-point win.

“We were probably a bit off in terms of our body work and intensity around the footy against Adelaide and we know if you get the structures right it doesn’t count unless you have your intensity up to scratch,” Parker said.

“For us it was about getting that mindset right and really that ferocious attack around the football and getting the basics done well. The rest just flowed from there.

“We knew we started the game really well and probably played to their terms in the second and third quarters at times. But it was an arm-wrestle of a game the whole day and there were a few momentum swings and we had to be on the right end come the end.”

The Swans ran in five goals to the Cats’ one in the fourth term to pull off the comeback.

Robbie Fox got the ball rolling when he bagged a goal inside the opening two minutes and Zak Jones showed his signature dash and strength to grab another moments later.

The Cats responded through Corey Gregson at the six-minute mark but the Swans would strike back to kick the next three and pocket their third consecutive win at GMHBA Stadium.

Captain Josh Kennedy led the way in the final quarter in racking up 13 of his 33 possessions and six of his 13 clearances.

Parker praised the skipper’s influence.

“He was back to his best,” Parker said.

“He was doing the basics well, being really clean around the ball and finding a lot of it. When he’s being strong and takes the players on like that it really opens up the game. It’s just so crucial for our drive forward.”

The Swans were also buoyed by the debut of lively forward Ben Ronke.

The 20-year-old was rewarded for strong form in the NEAFL and wasted no time in stamping his authority, swooping on a Tom Papley punt in an open forward line to grubber through a goal on the run at the 17-minute mark of the opening term.

The Calder Cannons product collected another late in the final quarter and complemented his two-goal effort with 15 disposals and seven tackles. 

“His pressure is very similar to Tom Papley’s,” Parker said.

“He is a little goer, he is a hard nut and he ended up finishing with a couple of goals.”