Geelong has reopened the wounds they left on Sydney in last year’s grand final by handing the Swans a 93-point defeat on the night they unfurled their 2022 premiership flag.
The Cats took the term ‘grand final rematch’ literally, opening up a 50-point lead late in the second quarter before the Swans stemmed the bleeding to cut the deficit to 35 points at half-time. But the reigning premiers blew the game open in the third quarter, kicking seven goals to the Swans’ solitary behind.
Sydney were always going to be vulnerable in defence without the McCartin brothers, given the firepower of Jeremy Cameron (five goals) and Tom Hawkins (five goals), but the Cats smashed them in all areas of the ground.
The Cats – who withdrew ruckman Jonathan Ceglar at late notice, backing in Mark Blicavs to do the rucking – dominated the contested possessions and clearance statistics, despite Peter Ladhams’ overwhelming hit-out numbers.
The Swans played with an extra number in defence early, but that meant the Cats had an extra number at the contest, and their ball use was sublime in their first match at GMHBA Stadium for the season, taking six marks inside-50 in the first quarter alone.
The Swans evened the spare at the contest, which had limited effect, but the Cats were simply clinical, putting on their best display since last year’s decider.
Patrick Dangerfield was outstanding, logging 31 disposals, seven clearances and a goal, while Blicavs was terrific at the stoppages despite losing the hit-outs, posing whether Rhys Stanley should walk back into the side when fit. Sam De Koning was also used in the ruck.
Cameron Guthrie had 25 disposals and five clearances, while Max Holmes had 23 touches – 19 of them kicks. Ultimately though, they had contributors across the park, from Esava Ratugolea at full-back to Brad Close in the forward pocket.
For Sydney, they need to go back to the drawing board. Aaron Francis was thrown into the backline in the final term after doing very little at full-forward, and looked more at home. Logan McDonald was unsighted, while the Swans’ barometer Tom Papley was kept quiet. It seems when the Swans play well, they rely on Papley to play well.
They did not kick a goal in the second half, and are now back in the pack at 3-3.
Best player in league?
Less than 24 hours after Marcus Bontempelli had tongues wagging in the Bulldogs’ win over Fremantle, Jeremy Cameron reminded everyone why he’s deserving of the ‘best player in the game’ tag.
He had two goals in the opening term, both long-range set shots that went straight over the goal umpire’s hat, and finished with five goals – two in the third term and one in the last.
He now leads the Coleman Medal race with 27 goals to his name, and remains on track to break the ton this season. But perhaps even more pleasing for coach Chris Scott was the form of Hawkins, who appeared to move as freely as he has all season.
The power forward feasted out on the match-up with Callum Mills, kicking three goals with his only three touches in the first half, and finished with five majors from seven kicks in a best-on-ground performance.
MRO watch
Mitch Duncan will face scrutiny from the match review officer for a high bump on Robbie Fox late in the third term.
Both players were running at each other when Fox appeared to slip as the ball went past him, and Duncan turned side on and bumped Fox, who was awarded a free kick for high contact.
Sydney doctors reviewed footage of the incident before determining Fox did not require a concussion test.
Live ladder
Despite being 3-3, the Cats boast the second-best percentage in the league, behind only St Kilda, after three thumping wins in a row.
They temporarily sit seventh with a percentage of 137.7.
Best
Geelong: Hawkins, Cameron, Dangerfield, Blicavs, Holmes, C Guthrie.
Swans: Parker, Heeney, Lloyd.
