Played on a Thursday night in Sydney, the Swans donned a unique guernsey, which was designed by Adam Goodes’ mother Lisa Sansbury to mark the occasion.
In a scintillating display from the home side, the Swans held the Cats to just one goal in the first half, while piling on eight goals of their own, led by Kurt Tippett, who was the dominant forward with five goals for the match.
Tippett’s fellow key forwards also stamped their authority on the contest, with Lance Franklin booting four goals and Adam Goodes kicking three against the Cats.
The Swans kept the Cats to just two goals until three-quarter time, before finishing the match in style with an eight goal to three final term, which was topped off by a Lewis Jetta goal on the final siren.
At the other end of the field, Nick Malceski and Rhyce Shaw were outstanding off the half-back line for the Swans, combining for 68 possessions and 11 inside-50s, while Craig Bird continued his recent good from with 33 possessions and six clearances for the match.
Ben McGlynn (26 possessions, 11 tackles and 10 inside-50s), Kieren Jack (29 touches, eight inside-50s and five goal assists) and Josh Kennedy (32 disposals and nine clearances) all led from the front as the club posted its greatest ever winning margin over the Cats.
Speaking after the game, Swans coach John Longmire said his team’s consistent performance was the most pleasing aspect of the win.
"Probably the weight of numbers across the entire 22 and the consistency over the four quarters," he said.
"It's very difficult in AFL football to get all players playing well and playing well over four quarters for as long as we did tonight.
"We've got enormous respect for the Geelong footy club, they've been able to do it for 10 years.
"They've been incredible with what they've been able to do and so we need to make sure we continue to try to put the pressure on like they've been able to do for such a long time."
Sydney Swans 4.4 8.9 14.11 22.16 (148)
Geelong Cats 0.3 1.3 2.4 5.8 (38)
Best: Bird, Tippett, Malceski, Shaw, Goodes, Franklin, McGlynn, Richards
Goals: Tippett 5, Franklin 4, Goodes 3, Jack, Derickx, Hannebery 2, Bird, Lloyd, McGlynn, Jetta
Official crowd: 37,355 at SCG
Brownlow Medal votes: 3 – N.Malceski (Syd), 2 – L.Franklin (Syd), 1 – K.Tippett (Syd)
Bob Skilton Medal votes: Nick Malceski 50, Ben McGlynn 50, Josh Kennedy 45, Craig Bird 45, Kurt Tippett 45
