Rhyce Shaw inspired Sydney Swan's victory

RHYCE Shaw's last-quarter rallying cry to the Swans' defenders could become one of the key points of their season.

Sydney Swans

DESPERATE times call for some stern words - and Rhyce Shaw's last-quarter rallying cry to the Swans' defenders could become one of the key points of their season.

After a last-quarter collapse against Essendon two weeks ago, history was repeating itself against premiers Geelong on Friday night.

After the Cats kicked the first four goals of the final term to take the lead and look all the world like winners, Shaw stepped up as one of the Swans' leaders.

He called in all the defenders for an animated pep talk that helped to stem the tide and inspire a six-point victory - 12.8 (80) to 11.8 (74).

"We were under the pump," Shaw said yesterday at the Swans' recovery session at Bondi Beach.

"They were getting a roll on so, I said to the boys, 'Let's stick fat and do what we do well, that's play one-on-one footy and keep to the basics. Be calm there's still plenty of time, we just have to do our job which is stop them'.

"I really wanted the guys to back themselves."

As the defence steadied, Kieren Jack produced a stunning goal on the run to counter Geelong's goal blitz.

Tom Hawkins put the Cats back in front with a strong mark and goal before substitute Andrejs Everitt - who came on for superstar Adam Goodes - showed nerves of steel to convert from 40m out on an acute angle for the crunch goal which kept the Swans in the top four.

Shaw's leadership and experience proved just as vital as the two late goals after the Swans gave up a big lead.

The final-quarter decline was almost identical to the match two weeks ago against Essendon, when the Swans surrendered a 47-point lead at the final change before finding a goal from the brilliant Lewis Jetta to hold on.

The cool head of Shaw and his largely unheralded team-mates in defence has proved vital as the Swans push towards a top-four finish with an impressive record of nine wins and three losses.

They have the best defensive record in the competition, holding the opposition to an average of 73 points per game.

The Swans were again right on that target as they held the powerful Geelong forward line to just 74 points, but the way they tired was a concern after leading by 35 points at the first change.

"We're a good team and we've got good players down back and we've just got to back ourselves and win our one-on-ones," Shaw said.

"Teddy and Reg (Heath Grundy) aren't the tallest defenders going round, but they play their role exceptionally well for us.

"Teddy's had an exceptional year; if he's not All Australian this year I don't know what's going on."

The 29-year-old Richards is in career best form and ranks second in the competition for intercept marks (39) and third for overall intercept possessions (95).

Both Richards and Shaw have blossomed at the Swans since moving from other clubs to resurrect their careers.

Richards played 33 games for Essendon between 2002 and 2005 before moving to the Swans in 2006, where he's played another 135 and become a mainstay.

Shaw has been runner-up in the Swans' best and fairest twice (2009 and 2011) since moving from Collingwood, where he played 95 games.

As well as the veterans, the Swans youngsters are also pulling their weight.

"Alex Johnson, you have to remember it's only his second year and he's held up really well," Shaw said.

"He's held together by sticky tape, but he gets out there every week.

"Then you've got Nick Smith who plays on the best forwards every week.

"We're really happy where we are, but we've got a lot of improvement to come."

The Swans' next game is against cross-town rivals, the GWS Giants, at ANZ Stadium next Saturday night.

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