A NEVER-SAY-DIE Sydney threatened to inflict Geelong's first loss of the season before the reigning premiers turned it on during 'red-time' of the final term, bolting away with a 42-point victory at Skilled Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Cats won 16.18 (114) to 10.12 (72).
Although the final margin showed a comfortable win for the Cats, it wasn't until Geelong booted five goals in time-on during the final quarter that the home side truly iced the match. Prior to that, the match was a genuine arm-wrestle.
Geelong dominated the opening term, and there were genuine signs the Cats were on track for a comprehensive victory, yet the Swans hit back with an excellent second quarter.
In fact, Sydney booted 6.7 to 2.11 in the second and third terms combined. And just three minutes into the final term, the Swans trailed by three points - a remarkable turnaround considering they were down by five goals at the first break.
But when Josh Hunt put the Cats up by 16 points at the 23-minute mark of the final term, his major kick-started a five-goal run by the Cats, and a fairytale win for the Swans was denied.
Still, Sydney displayed plenty of grit, considering it went into match without several key players, including Barry Hall, who was serving the first of his seven-match suspension, and dashing half-back Tadhg Kennelly, who was a late withdrawal and replaced by Luke Brennan.
Nick Malceski, Peter Everitt and Nic Fosdike were other key Swans sidelined.
Ruckman Darren Jolly was excellent in the ruck, while Brett Kirk, Martin Mattner and Jarrad McVeigh worked tirelessly in the midfield.
For the winners, Gary Ablett was best-on-ground with 35 disposals and three goals - all in the final term - while Jimmy Bartel (27 touches) and Steve Johnson (four goals) were also instrumental in Geelong's win.
Geelong booted six goals to one in a dominant first quarter. Jude Bolton was Sydney's lone goalscorer in the first term, as the Cats took a 30-point lead into the first change.
Reigning Norm Smith Medallist Steve Johnson was at his slippery, classy best. He had three goals by the first break, including two gems - a soccer off the ground for one and a snap over the shoulder for another.
The signs were ominous for the Swans as Bartel and Ablett had 17 disposals between them, while Cameron Ling had restricted dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes to just one touch.
But it was as if the two sides traded guernseys in the second quarter, as Sydney took full control.
The Swans started to take risks, creating opportunities for their forwards. As a result, Sydney kicked five goals to one for the term, reducing the deficit back to just seven points at half-time.
Sydney had several important contributors in this period: Ed Barlow chipped in with two majors; Goodes' clearance work came to the fore, and Jarrad McVeigh was utilising his disposals and inside-50 delivery.
The third quarter was an intriguing battle, as just two goals were scored - both in red-time.
Geelong squandered plenty of opportunities in front of goal to extend its lead, but as a consequence, when Paul Bevan kicked truly at the 21-minute mark, the Swans were just five points down.
Yet with fewer than 30 seconds remaining on the clock before three quarter-time, the Cats posted their only goal for the term, via Bartel, who jagged his second after he was the recipient of a free-kick downfield.
His goal gave the home side a 10-point lead heading into the final term.
Jarred Moore kicked two goals and kept the Swans within reach on two occasions during the last term, but after Ablett bobbed up with three of eight Geelong goals, the visitors were unable to win their first match at the ground since 1999.
Geelong 6.2 7.8 8.13 16.18 (114)
Sydney 1.2 6.7 7.9 10.12 (72)
GOALS
Geelong: S.Johnson 4, Stokes 4, G.Ablett 3, Bartel 2, Hunt, Mooney, Wojcinski
Sydney: Barlow 2, Moore 2, Ablett, Bevan, J.Bolton, Davis, Jolly, O'Keefe
BEST
Geelong: G.Ablett, Bartel, S.Johnson, Scarlett, Chapman, Stokes
Sydney: Jolly, McVeigh, Mattner, Kirk, Moore
INJURIES
Geelong: None
Sydney: Kennelly (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Brennan
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McBurney, Rosebury, Ellis
Official crowd: 24,368 at Skilled Stadium
