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.
SHOWREEL: Watch the Swans' final-term surge
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.
The triple All Australian 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.
SWANS STORM HOME: Full match coverage and stats
Winning coach John Longmire's message at the final break was simple enough – "keep attacking the game" – but he deflected credit to his players.
"It's not so much the message at three-quarter time that makes the difference," Longmire told reporters.
"It's the actions of the players and the leaders and that next group coming underneath that made a big difference – players like (Callum) Sinclair that had enormous last quarters.
"It started in the centre of the ground in that last quarter and our leaders were fantastic and stood up in the big moments, led by Josh.
"He was enormous in that last quarter and I think everyone got on board with him."
WATCH: Jones goes long in the last
Kennedy 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.
WATCH: Flying Fox takes a speccy
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.
Making matters worse for the Cats was Jordan Murdoch was reported for a bump on Heeney on the tick of half-time, although Geelong coach Chris Scott was furious the umpire adjudged it that way.
WATCH: Murdoch reported for Heeney bump
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.
WATCH: All class from Kelly
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.
The Cats' cause wasn't helped by the loss of George Horlin-Smith to concussion midway through the second quarter.
Sydney ultimately won the clearances 16-5 in the final quarter to trigger Geelong's downfall – the same advantage it had in centre clearances over the afternoon.
"The most important number besides the scoreboard was the centre clearances, and they weren't good for us all day," Scott said.
"The last quarter, when they were able to scrounge a few goals early and get a bit of momentum, (with) a bit of breeze behind their back, the centre bounces were obviously going to be crucial.
"We just got dominated in there and dominated inside, which is disappointing because we had control of the game for large parts of it and we just couldn't put the game beyond reach."
MEDICAL ROOM
Geelong: 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.
WATCH: George left groggy after Heeney tackle
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, Jones
INJURIES
Geelong: Brandan Parfitt (foot) replaced in the selected side by Zach Guthrie, Horlin-Smith (concussion)
Sydney: Nil
Reports: Jordan Murdoch (Geelong) reported for rough conduct on Isaac Heeney (Sydney)
Umpires: Stevic, Harris, McInerney
Official crowd: 31,036 at GMHBA Stadium
