Sydney’s season comes to crashing halt after 59-point loss to Geelong in semi-final

ONE bad night at the office was all it took for Sydney’s rollercoaster season to run off the rails as the Swans recorded their lowest score in 20 years in a humbling loss to Geelong.

Sydney coach John Longmire can’t believe what he saw against Geelong. Picture: AAP

ONE bad night at the office was all it took for Sydney’s rollercoaster season to run off the rails as Geelong smashed last year’s grand finalists by 59 points at the MCG.

The paltry 39 points was the Swans lowest score in any match in 20 years.

After walking on a tightrope all season, the Swans 0-6 start bit them back when it counted most with the Cats shattering what looked like becoming a fairytale season.

Patrick Dangerfield booted four goals playing at full-forward in a Chris Scott coaching masterstroke, which had the Swans on the back foot from the opening bounce.

The usually calm and cool Sydney defence looked panicky early when Dangerfield broke away from Dane Rampe for his first goal and the Cats champ had two on the board when he was grabbed by Callum Mills in a marking contest.

He added another two in the second quarter as Geelong kicked six goals to one to put the game out of reach by halftime.

Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield was unstoppable against the Swans. Picture: Phil Hillyard

At the other end of the ground, Lance Franklin had a night to forget and was held goalless for just the third time this year.

It looked like Buddy was in for a big night out when his most troublesome opponent Tom Lonergan was a late withdrawal with food poisoning.

Lonergan has the best record on Franklin of any of the AFL’s defenders. Buddy averages just 1.8 goals from the 22 times he’s matched up on the Cats stopper.

Harry Taylor ended up with the job on the Coleman Medal winner and did well but Franklin never looked in the game.

He touched the ball just once in the first quarter and three times in the first half.

A frustrated Lance Franklin after missing another shot at goal. Picture: Phil Hillyard

When he did get the ball in the third quarter he could do nothing with it, missing all four shots at goal.

The Swans midfield generals Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker had very poor games by their lofty standards picking up just 20 and 13 disposals respectively.

Kieren Jack, Dan Hannebery, Isaac Heeney and Jarrad McVeigh in his 300th game were the very few who performed anywhere near their best.

Geelong smashed Sydney at their own game winning the contested possession by a massive 25 (156-131).

They also dominated the air taking 130 marks to 53 and taking eight more contested.

Swans midfielder Luke Parker is tackled by Geelong’s Tom Stewart. Picture: Michael Klein

After taking a season high 26 contested marks against Essendon last week, Sydney could manage just eight against the Cats big men.

Scott also used the Hawthorn blueprint for success against Sydney keeping the ball out of their hands winning the uncontested possession 283-173.

It was a disappointing end to a year which looked like it could turn into something special when Sydney became the first team in history to make the finals after losing their first six games.

GEELONG 3.1 9.4 13.4 15.8 (98)

SYDNEY 2.2 3.4 4.9 5.9 (39)

GOALS

Cats: Dangerfield 4, Menzel 2, Menegola 2, Duncan 2, Stanley, Smith, Motlop, Hawkins, Blicavs

Swans: Jack, McVeigh, Mills, Papley, Reid

INJURIES

Cats: Lonergan (food poisoning) replaced in selected side by Rhys Stanley, Tom Stewart (hamstring)

Swans: Nil

Reports: Nil

Official crowd: 55,529 at the MCG

Originally published as Sydney’s season comes to crashing halt after 59-point loss to Geelong in semi-final