Greater Western Sydney outclassed by the Geelong Cats

FOR two quarters, Greater Western Sydney looked as though it had been a long-time visitor to Simonds Stadium.

Tom Scully

FOR two quarters, Greater Western Sydney looked as though it had been a long-time visitor to Simonds Stadium.

The upstart Giants led by three goals early and for much of the first half, but when Geelong awoke from its lethargy, they were given a first-hand view of exactly why the Cats have been all but unbeatable at home for the past five years.

Steve Johnson, despite appearing combative and niggly early, settled down to boot five goals as the premier careered away after halftime to win by 65 points.

Geelong kicked four goals in 10 dazzling minutes early in the third term and nine out of 10 majors on either side of the long break to stamp their class just when it appeared the Giants were building for what would surely have been the biggest upset in league history.

Their efforts subdued the usually raucous Simonds Stadium crowd, but their nerves were eased by Johnson's brilliance and the constant bulldozing work of Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly in the middle.

And, in an uncustomary role at full-forward, regular key defender Harry Taylor also helped himself to six goals to celebrate his 100th game.

The Giants were ballistic at the ball early with Dylan Shiel, Tom Scully and Stephen Coniglio impressive through the middle.

And outstanding forward prospect Jeremy Cameron seemingly put his mits on the ball every time it went forward, booting two and assisting on three other goals among the Giants' first six.

But from there, it was all Geelong.

The Giants, not unlike Fremantle in its early days in the AFL in the mid 1990s, put almost all of their players behind the ball in defence and attempted to break out by frenetic running, kicking into space and tackling.

But when Matthew Scarlett and Andrew Mackie turned the defensive screws during the third term, the ball rebounded with increasing frequency to give Johnson and Taylor repeated chances to shine.

Jacob Townsend was an early casualty for GWS, leaving the ground after a heavy knock to the head and making way for substitute Dom Tyson, who booted one of only two Giants' goals in the second half.

The Cats had made three late changes before the game, with Joel Corey (shoulder), Corey Enright (foot) and Steven Motlop (shoulder) all withdrawn for Tom Gillies, Billie Smedts and Jesse Stringer.