When most fans thought the Swans had run out of tricks in 2024, they gave the Cats a six-goal head start and still found a way to drum home a 30-point victory in front of another sold out crowd at the SCG.
They somehow found another way to send shockwaves throughout he competition as they stand as the only premiership threat. They move to 11-1 for the season, their best start since 1935. And maintain their two-game grip on the minor premiership.
The Cats got off to a hot start, piling on five goals to none in the first quarter and the visitors threatened to replicate the events of the 2022 Grand Final.
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Longmire discusses rough 1st QT start | 11:52
Sydney looked sluggish coming off last week’s bye, struggling to move the ball with any confidence. Their midfield was well-held by Chris Scott’s men turning the Swans’ typical pressure game back on them.
Gryan Miers continued his elite season, his scintillating first quarter gave Geelong four scores from his eight disposals. Cunningham gave the star Cat some close attention but had little impact.
The Swans kicked their first 15 minutes into the second quarter thanks to Joel Amartey converting from the edge of 50. It was the longest wait Sydney have had for their first goal since Round 1 2015, when Craig Bird kicked their first 17 minutes into the second term in a famous come from behind victory.
Shannon Neale’s goal early in the second put the Cats up to a 35-point lead before the hosts piled on five consecutive majors to bring them within five points before half time. The sold out SCG crowd grew tenfold in volume as they gave life to the roaring Swans.
Brodie Grundy proved he’s the most valuable picked up in last year’s trade period, dominating Rhys Stanley in the ruck and giving the Sydney midfielders first use at the ball. The home side won the clearance battle 43-29, and sliced through the Geelong defence to rack up 57 inside 50s.
The third quarter brought more of a back and forth contest as both sides wrestled to hold the lead into the home stretch, but it was livewire small Tom Papley that kicked two goals in as many minutes to put the Swans 11 points ahead going into the final break.
A late resurgence from Geelong pushed Sydney to the final siren. But as they have done all year, they withheld the pressure and pushed back to come out on top. A seven-goal final quarter, capped off by a stunning stoppage goal from Errol Gulden with less than two minutes to go put the final nail in the coffin.
Their attendance of 44,714 is the second-highest home and away crowd for the Swans at the SCG ever.
THE 3-2-1 (With Will Faulkner…)
3 – SUPER SWANS REIGN SUPREME AFTER DAMNING COMEBACKOVER CATS
For all of 40 minutes, the competition had their questions over the top-of-the-table Sydney – but just as quickly as the interrogations begun, they were dispelled.
Geelong’s six-goal start to the blockbuster SCG clash left John Longmire’s Swans stunned to say the least, with the Cats seemingly wiping their form slump by quarter time.
A 29-point lead at quarter-time extended to 35 points by the 12-minute mark of the second quarter, thanks to a Shannon Neale set shot.
But from there, the Swans kicked six of the next seven goals to draw back level with the Cats – and this time with all the momentum, eventually ending 30-point winners in a Round 13 classic.
Small forward Tom Papley led the goals count with four spectacular majors in the second half, making a Geelong comeback highly unlikely with his relentless pressure at the back end of the match.
Key forward Joel Amartey was more consistent all day for his three goals, and incredibly registered eight score involvements from nine disposals.
Also contributing heavily in the score involvements department was Errol Gulden, who had a whopping 15 of his own on top of 37 disposals, seven inside 50’s and a goal.
Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner were dominant in the midfield all afternoon, and were supported well by James Rowbottom for his 10 tackles and game-high seven clearances.
For the Cats, Max Holmes was the most damaging around the ground for his 23 disposals, six clearances and a goal – but it was all in vain as the Swans ultimately smashed his side around the ground come the final siren.
With the exception of tackles inside 50 (9-13) and efficiency inside 50 (49.1 per cent to 51 per cent), Geelong were comprehensively beaten in every mainstream stat line.
“The best punishing team in the competition awoke from their slumber,” two-time North Melbourne premiership player David King said at half time.
The Swans now sit two and a half games on top of the ladder, despite having had their bye only last week.
As for Geelong, they are hanging by a thread to stay in the top four, with Carlton hot on their heels to kick them out of the double-chance zone.
2 –BROWNLOW HOPEFULS, TOP RUCK KICKSTART WILD MOMENTUM SWING
It was a tale of two halves, within the first half, for Sydney and Geelong as superstars Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Brodie Grundy broke the match wide open; particularly in the second quarter.
Confusion on the respective matchups were clear from the start, as pointed out by David King in the first quarter.
“Some confusion on who’s got Heeney and who’s got Warner post-stoppage, (Tom) Atkins is trying to go with both,” King said.
After quiet starts in particular to Warner and Heeney, the duo went ballistic after Geelong’s six-goal run to help slingshot their side back to equilibrium – and eventually play a massive role in banking four more points.
“This guy is the best player in the competition right now; his ability to cut and run from stoppages, he comes at speed – just the two score involvements, that amazes me given the impact he had in that second term. Maybe it hasn’t come yet, but look out!” King said on Chad Warner during Fox Footy’s half time coverage.
“If you give these guys space post-stoppage, you’re going to bleed – and they were so diligent in the first 40 minutes of football Geelong, but they lost the handle on the two most important players out there.
“If you give these guys space post-stoppage, you’re going to bleed – and they were so diligent in the first 40 minutes of football Geelong, but they lost the handle on the two most important players out there.”
Three-time Brisbane premiership player Alastair Lynch also spoke highly of Warner, who finished the match with 26 disposals and two goals.
“Just such a damaging player, whether it’s in the contest or the ability to get out the front – and certainly he’s got that power to out the front and impact the scoreboard,” Lynch added.
“They’re making really good decisions once the ball has left their area, and impacting the next contest… I mean Warner’s had over 300 metres gained which is just huge for the (second) quarter.”
Fittingly, it was Warner who iced the game with just over three minutes to play, sprinting well over 100 metres to get on the receiving end of a ball inside his forward 50 and dribbling through truly.
Not to be completely outdone by his teammates, two-time All Australian ruck Brodie Grundy continued to show his worth to his new club with another huge performance.
His 25 disposals, 35 hitouts and 11 score involvements left the Cats for dead, and nearly doubled opponent Rhys Stanley’s in the hitout count.
“When Brodie Grundy took control of this game midway through the second term, they went crazy at stoppage,” King mentioned at half-time.
“You could tell that his intent was to hit it forward and have that momentum from the Sydney midfielders; he was important in the second half (of the second quarter),” four-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis added.
1 – GEELONG SMALLS PERFORMANCES IN VAIN
The first half of Geelong small forward Gryan Miers was something to behold, as the 25-year-old continues his strong push for a maiden All-Australian blazer.
As the Cats piled on the first six goals of the match, Miers led his side’s surge particularly in the first quarter with eight disposals, three intercept possessions and a goal.
Swans veteran Harry Cunningham looked to have the job on the 119-game Cat, but had a particularly tough time matching up on him from the get-go.
“Cunningham looks like the matchup (on Miers), I’d suggest the coach will be having a word with him at quarter time,” said David King at the back end of the first quarter.
King further analysed his output at the first break, suggesting the Swans maybe hadn’t executed on their game plans with Miers as well as they would have liked.
“He’s been outstanding, his method and modus operandi is clear for all to see – they knew this coming in the Sydney Swans, they had Cunningham hanging off the back of stoppage, hanging off the back of Gryan Miers; but he still made them pay,” King added.
“Every time he gets the ball, Geelong look likely to score – they must have a plan for their small forwards charging forward (and) back into that open space.”
And just as equally, 2022 All-Australian forward Tyson Stengle was everywhere he needed to be on Sunday afternoon, kicking three goals from his 12 disposals – causing headaches for John Longmire across the first three quarters of the game.
His two first quarter goals were ingrained in the middle of Geelong’s rampant run over the Swans, and while the hosts still ultimately got the four points, Stengle’s performance will undoubtedly be cause for concern in future weeks for rival coaches.
“If you lose contain to Tyson Stengle around goal, you’re in trouble – you’re taking a hell of a risk,” King said during live play.
“Gee he’s in form the little fella.”
Miers last year broke the record for the most goal assists by any AFL player in the home-and-away season, with a whopping 41 assists.
Stengle kicked 53 goals in his debut season at the Cats in 2022, the same year the Cats won the flag and he earned his first All-Australian jacket.
SYDNEY SWANS vs. GEELONG CATS — AS IT HAPPENED
Final teams are in for today’s top-of-the-table clash at the SCG! There are no late changes, with Braeden Campbell (SYD) and Gary Rohan (GEE) named the starting subs.
After a back-and-forth first few minutes, the Cats drew first blood via a beautiful set shot from All-Australian contender Gryan Miers.
Miers converted truly from the 50 metre arc for his 11th goal of 2024.
And in the blink of an eye, the Cats made it two in a minute thanks to a Jack Bowes snap.
“A good start on the road against a hot Sydney,” four-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy’s exclusive coverage.
Tyson Stengle dribbled home an exquisite goal to give the Cats a 23-point lead!
“(Harry) Cunningham looks like the matchup (on Gryan Miers), I’d suggest the coach will be having a word with him at quarter time,” Fox Footy analyst David King said of Miers’ red-hot start.
Lewis made note of Geelong’s early dominance.
“They’re getting exactly what they want at the moment, Geelong,” he told Fox Footy.
“They haven’t been challenged with the contest in and around the ball – I love the way they’re setting up off the ball.”
Stengle added another with three minutes remaining in the first quarter, opening up a 29-point lead. At quarter-time, the margin was 29 points.
The Swans are still struggling scoring-wise, registering their fourth consecutive behind to start the second stanza.
Tom Hawkins hit the post in an attempt to enhance Geelong’s lead, before Sydney’s Joel Amartey was resigned to the same woodwork fate at the other end. The Swans are now 0.5 (5) halfway through the second quarter.
Shannon Neale booted the Cats’ sixth unanswered goal! It’s now a 35-point difference and things are getting very precarious for John Longmire’s sluggish brigade.
Shortly after, the Swans (finally!) snagged their maiden major of the afternoon through a Joel Amartey set shot, reducing their deficit to 29 points. Will Hayward then got on the end of one to make it back-to-back goals.
A booming Chad Warner strike made it three Sydney goals on the trot! They’re really coming now.
And Isaac Heeney slammed home two more for the Swans! Incredibly, it’s now just a five-point game and Chris Scott can only watch as his side is suddenly overwhelmed.
“The big boys are starting to roll now — if Warner doesn’t get you, Heeney will!” exclaimed caller Mark Howard after Heeney’s left-foot snapping major.
Sydney’s half-time deficit was just five points. A topsy-turvy half of footy at the SCG!
“The best punishing team in the competition awoke from their slumber,” King said during Fox Footy’s exclusive coverage.
Stengle kicked his third goal of the game to open the second-half scoring, before Amartey responded with his second to pull it back to a four-point difference.
The Swans have peppered the goalface to start this second half, but they haven’t been able to push ahead for their first lead of the game just yet.
Brad Close pounced on a Sydney turnover deep in defence, but their extended lead was short-lived as Joel Amartey booted his third major.
Max Holmes caught Justin McInerney red-handed in a tackle but was unable to make the Swans pay full price, missing a long-range set shot. Four-point game with six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
In the waning stages of the third quarter, Swans livewire Tom Papley snagged a pair of team-lifting goals to put Sydney ahead by 10 points.
They’ve only just taken their first lead of the day, but you feel as though the Swans are going to take some beating from here. They took an 11-point lead into the final change.
“They’ve taken Geelong to the cleaners in the last 40 minutes of football,” King said.
Geelong’s fade-out continued to start the final term, giving away a 50-metre penalty for encroaching on the mark that led to a Jake Lloyd goal. A long-range James Jordon set shot then made it a game-high 23-point Sydney lead!
A Jeremy Cameron snap kept the Cats within touching distance, but an intercepting Justin McInerney capitalised on a set shot to restore that 23-point advantage.
Tom Papley booted his third goal with a brilliant banana!
Very hard to see a way back for the Cats with the way Longmire’s men are playing, but Jeremy Cameron responded immediately with his second of the afternoon. 23 points the difference with 13 minutes left.
Max Holmes — arguably Geelong’s best today — evaded lunging Swans defenders to banana another goal for the Cats! It’s a 17-point game and there’s still plenty of time, but they can’t afford to keep going goal-for-goal.
And they have another! This time it’s Jack Bowes, who plays on from a mark and finishes in clinical fashion.
The sides traded behinds before Chad Warner sealed the deal with a scintillating sprint and dribbling finish to send the SCG attendance into jubilation!
“They kill you in every which way,” Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson said in commentary after Errol Gulden got in on the act late to push Sydney’s match-winning lead to 24 points.
Sydney’s final winning margin was 30 points.
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