The Cats' first win at the SCG since 2002 was powered by established stars Paul Chapman (27 possessions and two goals), Steve Johnson, Joel Selwood and James Kelly who saw their side to the (81) to 7.12 (54) win.
The latter ended the match with a game-high 12 tackles, while David Wojcinski booted three goals.
Ruckman Brad Ottens, who had an entertaining battle with former teammate Shane Mumford, was another important contributor, in what was his 100th game for Geelong.
Josh Kennedy (29 disposals), Adam Goodes and Kieren Jack did their best to keep the Swans in touch, while Paul Bevan and Mumford both kicked two goals.
Geelong started brightly, with Menzel snapping a great goal in the opening minute and Johnson adding another after a spectacular mark over Ted Richards.
By quarter-time, however, the Swans were in front, having dominated the inside-50 count 21-10.
The Swans had also enjoyed some luck, the most obvious example when Goodes was awarded a free-kick for holding the man, despite appearing to drop the ball when tackled by Chapman.
Goodes' goal gave the Swans the lead, and when Paul Bevan added another from outside the arc they had opened a seven-point buffer.
Geelong had the better of the second quarter arm-wrestle.
As torrential rain poured down, the Cats booted the only two majors of the term - both from free-kicks close to goal - and went to the long break with a 13-point lead.
Ryan O'Keefe narrowed the margin by booting the opening goal of the third term, although Geelong quickly replied when Wojcinski skidded one through.
While they subsequently had numerous chances to put their stamp on the game, the Swans wasted their opportunities and were still 13 points adrift at the final change.
A long bomb from Josh Kennedy brought the crowd to its feet early in the last quarter, before Cats skipper Cameron Ling rose to the challenge by putting through a brilliant running goal.
At the 14-minute mark, Wojcinski completed the job when his 60m shot dribbled through.Influential players
Paul Chapman put on a master-class in the first half, and went to the long break with two goals and 15 touches to his name. He finished with 27, including 13 contested.
Kieren Jack revelled in the wet conditions, gathering 16 possessions in the opening half, 12 of which were contested. He continually put his head over the ball as the rain belted down in the second half, and ended the night having sent his team inside 50 on nine occasions. Magic moment
In the third minute of the first quarter, after Daniel Menzel had given the Cats the lead, Joel Selwood won a centre clearance and booted a long bomb inside 50. Steve Johnson's eyes lit up immediately. The Geelong star ran towards Swans defender Ted Richards, leapt onto his back, and, despite the teeming rain, hauled in a brilliant mark. For good measure, he then went back and slotted a goal. What it means
The Swans, who have the bye next weekend, will drop back into the pack of sides on the middle rungs of the ladder. They will be very disappointed to have lost their first game for the season at the SCG, as it has become a fortress for them in recent years.
Chris Scott's dream start to his coaching career continues. His team is undefeated after four matches and after defeating Fremantle in Perth and the Swans in Sydney his side has shown it can win in all types of conditions. The Anzac Day holiday clash with Hawthorn in round five will be a clearer guide as to whether the Cats are genuine premiership contenders.Dream Team highlight
Sydney Swans: After another impressive performance in the midfield, Josh Kennedy (pre-game price $296,700) was his team's top Dream Team point-scorer with 115.
Geelong: Steve Johnson, whose price fell by $14,100 to $378,900 during the week, had only been averaging around 80 Dream Team points per game. But he ended the match with a haul of 104 after collecting 24 possessions and booting a goal.Next four:
Sydney Swans: bye, Carlton (SCG), Western Bulldogs (Manuka Oval), Port Adelaide (SCG)
Geelong: Hawthorn (MCG), bye, North Melbourne (Skilled Stadium), Collingwood (MCG)
What the coaches said
John Longmire (Sydney Swans)
"In the first half there were some things there in regards to free kicks that we've just got to get better at as a team. When you're playing well, you've got to make sure that you get those easier goals that we should have got and you don't give away easy goals. I thought we let the pressure off a bit at times, especially in the second quarter, giving them some easy goals."
Chris Scott (Geelong)
"The effort was the most pleasing thing by a long way. We still don't think we're playing brilliant footy, but are playing really tough and committed footy against a side that prides itself on that. Almost every week I've marvelled at the strength of character of our players."Sydney Swans 4.3 4.5 6.9 7.12 (54)
Geelong 3.2 6.6 8.10 11.15 (81)GOALS
Sydney Swans: Bevan 2, Mumford 2, Goodes, O’Keefe, Kennedy, McVeigh
Geelong: Wojcinski 3, Chapman 2, Podsiadly, Menzel, Johnson, Enright, Varcoe, Ling
BEST
Sydney Swans: Jack, Kennedy, Goodes, McVeigh, Mumford
Geelong: Chapman, Johnson, Wojcinski, Kelly, Scarlett
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Nil
Geelong: NilSUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Andrejs Everitt replaced by Gary Rohan in the third quarter
Geelong: Josh Hunt replaced by Darren Milburn in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Ryan, Armstrong
Official crowd: 25,300 at SCG
