The class of Geelong was on display last night, as they outclassed a young, improving Sydney Swan’s outfit by 27 points, in slippery conditions at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
In a relatively low scoring and scrappy contest, the Cats led at three of the four intervals, to break away in a (11.15) 81 to (7.12) 54 victory.
The win moves Geelong to a perfect four win start to the season.
The standouts for the Cats were the older brigade of Steve Johnson, Paul Chapman, Matthew Scarlett, and David Wojinski, who kicked a career high three goals.
The low-scoring game meant that Sydney were never completely shut out of the game, but despite gallant efforts of Josh Kennedy, Rhyce Shaw and Shane Mumford, the Swans were always behind the eight-ball.
After Steve Johnson kicked the first goal of the match, it was Sydney who took the early spoils of the match, enjoying a slender seven-point lead at the first change, with Paul Bevan (2 goals) and Shane Mumford leading the early charge.
As ground conditions got worse in the second quarter, Geelong stepped up the tempo to not only limit Sydney to two behinds for the quarter, but to pile on three of their own to take a 13-point lead into the main break.
Goals and rebounding work from David Wojinski and Corey Enright set up the Geelong momentum.
Goals to Ryan O’Keefe and Shane Mumford in the third quarter, kept any slim hopes of a Sydney victory in sight, but after a back and forth third quarter, Geelong went into the three quarter time break maintaining its 13 point lead and could sense a victory.
Inaccuracy from Podsiadly, who kicked 1.4 for the evening, kept the Swans in with a slight chance, but when he eventually slotted his first, and Wojinski ran in for goal number four, it was all but over for the Sydney Swans, as Geelong ran out towards the final 27-point margin.
In a positive note for both teams, there were no injuries to either side, and no incidents that should come under tribunal review, meaning both sides will go into next week with a clean bill of health.
The standout from Geelong, apart from Wojinski’s run, was Paul Chapman, who collected 27 disposals, four tackles and capped it off with two goals at crucial stages.
Steve Johnson was the second-highest disposal-getter on the ground with 24 possessions and a goal to his name.
Josh Kennedy, for the Swans, continued his impressive start to the season with 29 possessions and a goal, whilst the run off Rhyce Shaw off half-back was pivotal with 27 disposals.
The disappointing sign for Sydney was the functioning of its forward line.
Last week, we saw Andrejs Everitt moved forward and kick goals. This week he was subbed off after having little impact in wet conditions.
The impact of key play-makers, Adam Goodes and Ryan O’Keefe were also limited, due to the tagging efforts of Cameron Ling and Andrew Mackie.
Positives for Geelong were its ability to stand up under pressure and play composed and skilful football in wet conditions.
This win should send a clear sign to the competition that they are not ready to start a rebuild just yet.
Geelong face their toughest task this season next week, when they come up against the in- orm Hawthorn at the MCG.
Sydney can take pride in knowing that their best players tonight, were there younger brigade.
They also have the bye next week, which gives them a week to recharge and recover, before facing Carlton in two weeks’ time.
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