GEELONG 13.14 (92)def SYDNEY SWANS 7.6 (48)
THERE were plenty of punters that sensed an imminent end to Geelong’s home ground dominance. If anyone was going to break the Cats’ power at Simonds Stadium, it would be the Sydney Swans.
But instead what we had was another strong home performance by Geelong as they put away Sydney to win by 44-points in front of over 28,000 home town fans.
And the win puts the Cats in the box seat to lock up second spot on the ladder, requiring only another home victory against Brisbane next week, to seal the deal.
As expected between two quality sides, the intensity was high in this match up from the very start but while the score was close for most of the first three quarters, it was always Geelong that was largely in control of the contest.
“It was really disappointing. We wanted to come down here and test ourselves against one of the best and Geelong just got off to a flyer,” said Swans defender Ted Richards.
“We were never really in it. Maybe in the third we had a little bit of momentum, but like any good team they just came straight back at us.
“I think the scoreboard was probably not a true reflection of the game – if they kicked accurately it could have been a far bigger win.”
Stevie Johnson and Steven Motlop starred for Geelong with four goals each off the back of crumbing and pace, with Motlop also adding a contender for mark of the year in the final term.
But it was the Cats’ ability to apply and sustain pressure across the field against a quality opponent that was ultimately the deciding factor.
“Our ability to absorb that pressure and stay on top of them was pretty good early,” said Geelong coach Chris Scott.
“From a clearance perspective they did us for the raw numbers but I thought we were able to set up reasonably well and limit their scoring.
“They are the best side in the comp scoring from stoppages and I thought the way we set up to counter that was pivotal in the match.”
Even with the loss Sydney have assured themselves a top four finish but the club will play finals footy without defender Rhyce Shaw who ruptured the ACL in his right knee during the game.
“I spoke to him after the game, ” said Swans coach John Longmire.
“He’s obviously been around football a long time and he was disappointed, where he felt it go and knew exactly what it was at the time.
“He’s extremely disappointed. (It’s) our second one for the year. One at the start of the year (Alex Johnson) and one at the end of the year.
“He’s disappointed to be missing but he’s already talking about (having) the operation as soon as he can, and trying to get his head in to a good space for the off-season.”
Here are the highlights from the game:
GEELONG 4.4 6.9 8.12 13.14 (92)
SYDNEY SWANS 2.2 3.2 5.5 7.6 (48)
GOALS
Geelong: Johnson 4, Motlop 3, Selwood 2, Chapman, Varcoe, Vardy, Podsiadly
Sydney Swans: Pyke 3, McGlynn 2, Tippett, Hannebery,
BEST
Geelong: Kelly, Stokes, Taylor, Johnson, Bartel, Guthrie, Duncan, Enright
Sydney Swans: McVeigh, Richards, Jack, Kennedy, N Smith,
INJURIES
Geelong: TBC
Sydney Swans: Rhyce Shaw (knee), Hannebery (knee),
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Paul Chapman replaced Tom Hawkins at three-quarter time
Sydney Swans: Jed Lamb replaced Rhyce Shaw (knee) in the first quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Nicholls, Pannell
Official crowd: 28,459 at Simonds Stadium