Sydney Swans and Geelong will be looking to maintain their unbeaten starts to the 2013 AFL season when they meet at the Sydney Cricket Ground tonight. We’ll have live scores and commentary on the action from 7.50pm AEST.
When Geelong travelled to Sydney for a rare Friday night fixture last year, they were unlucky to fall six points short after clawing their way back into a contest that the Swans looked to have won.
Andrejs Everitt sealed it for the Swans in a thrilling final quarter, but Friday fixtures in Sydney will always be tied to the heart-stopping brilliance of the freakish four-goal Nick Davis final quarter in 2005 that clinched a dramatic semi-final.
Geelong trudged off despondent, struggling to swallow a loss that would later be deemed by many as the catalyst for a new footballing dynasty.
Since that day, the Swans have won two Premierships; the Cats have won three. And there’s every reason to suggest that these two sides will be making noise late into September.
Sydney’s 11-goal ‘premiership quarter’ against the Kangaroos down at Blundstone Arena saw them reverse a 14-point deficit at half-time to lead by a remarkable 47 points heading into the final break.
It’s as good as sign as you’ll see that the cursed Premiership hangover is, well, not a real thing.
John Longmire’s men are undoubtedly facing their toughest test yet, but all of a sudden they look like they could be primed for it.
The Swans’ midfielders are firing. Jarrad McVeigh, Josh Kennedy and Kieren Jack have been excellent in the first three rounds and will have had Geelong on the radar when they looked at this season’s fixture list.
Youngsters Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker have started well, while the old guard in Ryan O’Keefe and Jude Bolton only seem to get better.
And while a few question marks may linger over the Swans’ preparation, the Cats have already had to dig their claws in, with hard-fought wins over Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Carlton in the first three rounds.
Whereas the Cats are certainly match-hardened, the challenge will be in having to match Sydney’s tough brand of footy.
Their victories so far have sent a timely reminder that they’re serious top-four contenders.
They’ve been all the more impressive when you consider that they won despite trailing Hawthorn by 20 points and the Kangaroos by 35 points at half-time in rounds 1 and 2 respectively.
The form of usual suspects Joel Selwood, Paul Chapman and Corey Enright has been impressive, but it’s the new breed of Mitch Duncan, Billie Smedts and Steven Motlop that will have Cat’s fans excited.
There’s no doubt that Chris Scott’s men will be raring to go, but I think the Swans home ground advantage will give them the edge in a tight scrap.
Sydney by 11 points.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Yes, duly noted. Especially as it looks like there will be a great deal of opportunities to talk about him too!
Maggie
Guest
Richard, thanks for the commentary but for future reference it's 'Pyke' not 'Pike'. But you are right, he played a very good game. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining us tonight! Some excellent footy on display, 'til next time!
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Disposals: Syd: 348 Gee: 377 Clearances: Syd: 39 Gee: 45 Inside 50s: Syd: 59 Gee: 61 Tackles: Syd: 46 Gee: 54
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Sydney will be disappointed that Jetta and Reid didn't have an impact tonight. Hannebery with 29 touches and two goals was the Swans' best, and was well supported by McVeigh (29 touches, three goals) and Jack (29 touches). Mike Pyke certainly did his best to keep the highlight reel rolling too. For Geelong, Selwood was awesome with 30 touches, nine tackles and a goal. Hawkins (three goals) Motlop (three) and Stokes (31 touches and two goals) were impressive.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Courageous effort from Hannebery tonight, he has been excellent for the Swans, playing through an injury as well. Malceski does the job himself this time and kicks it from right on the 50m arc. Goal Sydney. That will be the last score tonight. Final siren sounds: Cats win by 21 points after a wonderful third quarter surge that was led by Selwood. Hawkins also popped up in the second half and made a difference. Sydney 16.7 (103) Geelong 19.10 (124)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Malceski hacks it forward and it bounces fortuitously for Hannebery. He steadies and slots it. Goal Sydney. Q4 – 2.00 left Sydney 15.7 (97) Geelong 19.10 (124)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
It's all tied up in the Swans' forward 50. McVeigh gives away a free and the pressure is relieved. Swans need a strong finish here. Lonergan takes a great mark in the forward pocket. Tries the banana to no avail. Geelong behind. Q4 – 4.00 left Sydney 14.7 (91) Geelong 19.10 (124)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Selwood has been unstoppable tonight! What a great leader he is. Rampe gets it to Bolton who dishes it off to McVeigh and he kicks truly from just outside 50m with an open goal beckoning. Q4 – 7.00 left Sydney 14.7 (91) Geelong 19.9 (123)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Morton finds Jetta in the pocket. Tight angle! Decides to centre it. Mumford almost marks but Geelong repel the attack again and it eventually ends with Taylor taking a great defensive mark. We're now sitting in the Geelong forward 50. Behind Geelong - rushed. Kennedy turns it over, a poor kick and he hit Stokes right on his chest 25m out, straight in front. Goal Geelong - Stokes slots it! That will seal it. Q4 – 9.00 left Sydney 13.7 (85) Geelong 19.9 (123)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Goal Sydney! Swans burst forward from the centre bounce. Pike pumps it long and Morton finds Kennedy with a hand-pass. Kennedy snaps it over his shoulder on his left. From the next bounce Geelong press forward and answer the Swans. Hawkins kicks truly from 30m out, slight angle. Lead back to 31 points! Q4 – 12.45 left Sydney 13.7 (85) Geelong 18.8 (116)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Jack picks out McGlynn in the forward 50. He'll have to kick from just inside the 50m arc. The Swans have a pulse! Goal Sydney Q4 – 13.45 left Sydney 12.7 (79) Geelong 17.8 (110)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Christensen gets another chance. 45m out straight in front and he nails it! Goal Geelong! Swans now trail by 37 points. Q4 – 15.00 Sydney 11.7 (73) Geelong 17.8 (110)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Christensen kicks long to a vacant goal square. Behind Geelong. That never looked like scoring. Q4 – 15.30 left Sydney 11.7 (73) Geelong 16.8 (104)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Rushed behind - Sydney Pike takes another excellent mark, nothing comes of the play and it sits just outside the Swans' forward 50. Q4 - 16.30 Sydney 11.7 (73) Geelong 16.7 (103)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Here we go, Pike takes a big mark to start the final quarter!
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Disposals: Sydney: Hannebery 23, Jack 21, Malceski 19, O'Keefe 19. Geelong: Selwood 25, Stokes 22, Horlin-Smith 21.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
3/4 Time goals: Sydney: Goodes 2, Bolton 2, McVeigh 2, Malceski 1, Reid 1, Hannebery 1, LRT 1, Pike 1. Geelong: Motlop 3, Taylor 2, Chapman 2, Hawkins 2, Selwood 1, Stokes 1, Horlin-Smith 1, Podsiadly 1, Hunt 1, Johnson 1, Smedts 1.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Goal Geelong! Hunt gets another with two seconds on the clock! That really hurts Sydney's chances going into the final term. Geelong kicked 7 goals to 1 in that term, Swans need a couple of quick ones after the break. Three Quarter Time Sydney 11.6 (72) Geelong 16.7 (103)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
The Swans burst forward, but the Cats repel this one. Hawkins gets his hands free in the middle of the ground, dishes off to Selwood who hands off to Stevie J for a running goal. Goal Geelong! And from the centre bounce, Geelong go forward again! It breaks free in the Cats' forward 50 and Selwood kicks a screamer off the ground from 20m out. Another for Geelong. Geelong in a punishing mood! Q3 – 0.40 left Sydney 11.6 (72) Geelong 15.7 (97)