The Sydney Swans have stayed well and truly in top-two contention with a decisive 38-point win over Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Friday night.
After a tight first half the Swans put the foot down in the third quarter, dominating stoppages to open up a 27-point lead going into the final term.
Despite a six-day break, they then controlled the last quarter to win 15.8 (98) to Geelong’s 9.6 (60), setting up a huge clash against Hawthorn at the SCG next Thursday night.
It was the Cats' first loss at home in their last nine games and just their seventh loss at the venue in their past 72 clashes at Simonds Stadium.
The win puts the Swans in second position overnight, while the Cats will sit in the bottom half of the eight after four losses in the past seven games.
The Swans had more contributors in their midfield, with the Cats too reliant on Patrick Dangerfield who had 18 first quarter disposals before fading out, in relative terms, with 33 for the game.
After a tumultuous week when his family's dirty laundry was aired ahead of his 200th game, co-captain Kieren Jack got his team off to a flying start with a goal inside the first minute (on his way to three for the night in a superb performance).
Before the Cats had settled the Sydney Swans had three goals on the board.
It was a handy buffer, allowing them to weather Geelong's fightback, which saw the Cats hit the front momentarily in the second quarter, before the Swans drew away.
Defender Dane Rampe was superb in the second quarter and had three intercept marks at half-time.
He was able to drift off his opponent and cut off attacking thrusts, and was the best player on the ground by the end of the game.
Rampe received excellent support from Heath Grundy, Nick Smith, Zak Jones, Jarrad McVeigh and Allir Allir, with veteran Ted Richards playing forward in his comeback from concussion.
Time after time the Sydney Swans set up goals from the back half.
Gary Rohan was too quick for Geelong's defenders as a hit-up forward and Richards managed to frustrate Lachie Henderson.
Andrew Mackie returned to form but the weight of numbers overwhelmed the Cats eventually.
Despite Dangerfield's early dominance, Tom Mitchell did a superb job in quelling his influence after quarter-time.
It allowed the Sydney Swans' prime movers in Jack, Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker to outmuscle Geelong inside the contest.
They also had 11 goalkickers – with Franklin kicking just one - which was in stark comparison to the Cats who were close to dysfunctional inside their forward 50.
Hawkins was ineffective, while Mitch Clark battled to have an influence in his first senior game since round nine last season.
After being premiership favourites midway through the season, Geelong has hit a mid-season rut which they must overcome next week against Fremantle if they are to revive their season.
GEELONG 3.1 5.1 7.4 9.6
SYDNEY SWANS 4.2 7.4 11.7 15.8
GOALS
Geelong: Menzel 2, Hawkins 2, Cockatoo, Smith, Enright, Murdoch, Dangerfield
Sydney Swans: Jack 3, Towers 2, Papley 2, Franklin, Mills, Jones, Hewett, Lloyd, Richards, Parker, Kennedy
BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Mackie, Enright, Selwood, Menzel, Duncan
Sydney Swans: Rampe, Parker, Hannebery, Mitchell, Jack, Allir, Mills
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Sydney Swans: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Hosking, Meredith, McInerney
Official crowd: TBC at Simonds Stadium
