Sydney continue winning streak over Geelong with crucial victory at Simonds Stadium

WE knew Sydney would bounce back after last week’s loss. We knew Geelong would feel the loss of Patrick Dangerfield. So what did we learn at Simonds Stadium?

Isaac Heeney celebrates a Sydney goal.

SOME football games tell you a lot about team and players. Others largely go to script.

Friday night’s clash between Geelong and Sydney fell into the latter category, an important game but ultimately one that told us little about two finals-bound sides.

We knew the Cats were going to feel the loss of suspended star Patrick Dangerfield, missing his first game since joining the club.

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We suspected Sydney – the form team of the competition – would bounce back after its loss to Hawthorn last week as the Swans steamroll towards September, now with 11 wins from their past 13 matches.

We knew Sydney held no fears playing at Simonds Stadium, for they were the only team to have beaten the Cats in Geelong’s previous 16 matches at the venue.

And we knew Geelong captain Joel Selwood was as tough as nails, proven again when he limped off minutes before half-time with what looked a serious ankle injury only to lead his side back onto the ground some 20 minutes later.

Will Hayward starred up forward with three goals.

For what was an even-money game with the bookmakers on Thursday, the final margin of 46 points in favour of the Swans was perhaps the match’s only surprise.

As they have been for the best part of three months, the Swans were polished and efficient and their dominant opening term not only set the tone for the match but also took a stunned crowd out of the equation.

The visitors had opened up a 32-point advantage by quarter-time on the back of a seven-goal quarter and the writing was already on the wall for Chris Scott’s men.

Geelong had the better of the middle two quarters but lacked the same polish as the Swans, who continued to press and pressure at every opportunity.

The third quarter was the Cats’ chance to pounce, but they failed to take it.

With the Swans appearing to tire, in the space of 15 minutes Tom Stewart blazed away in the forward pocket and snapped the ball out on the full, Sam Simpson dropped the ball on his run-up for a set shot, Scott Selwood kicked into the man on the mark from another set shot and Sam Menegola missed a set shot from 30m directly in front.

Injured captain Joel Selwood leads his team off after losing to Sydney. Picture: Michael Klein

It was just not Geelong’s night.

Captain Selwood tried his heart out as he always does, but received close attention from the opening bounce.

Fellow midfielder Mitch Duncan was solid onball with 32 disposals as was Scott Selwood (26 disposals).

Zach Smith had one of his better games for the season in the ruck and Menegola (25 disposals, two goals) provided a target forward with Tom Hawkins well held by Heath Grundy in the second half.

The Cats will move on pretty quickly and still have two home games to come in the run home, those against Richmond and Greater Western Sydney, with a clash against Collingwood at the MCG sandwiched in between.

As for the Swans, John Longmire’s side is looking a scary proposition as September looms.

Originally published as Sydney continue winning streak over Geelong with crucial victory at Simonds Stadium