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Geelong celebrated Joel Selwood’s 200th game with an upset win over the Sydney Swans on Saturday night, eventually kicking away to win by 32 points at home.
The Cats won contested possessions and had the better of the uncontested possessions completely over running the Swans on the outside. Captain Joel Selwood was magnificent with 35 disposals, 20 of them contested. Motlop continued on his briiliant form with 32 disposals, his run proved too much for the Swans all night.
>>MATCH REPORT: 200 up for Selwood in Geelong win
Swans’ key midfielders such as Jack, Hannebery and Parker had their 19-20 disposals but they were in large part ineffective, not really ever troubling Geelong. Jetta, Kennedy and Mitchell were the Swans best midfielders.
Ruckman Mark Blicavs was beaten by Tippett in regards to hit outs (22 v 32) but he was the most dominant big man on the ground and very influential with his ground work and pressure. He finished with 22 possessions and was like an extra midfielder for the Cats with his mobility and athleticism.
Sydney’s forwards were ineffective all night, in the first half they failed to capitalise on their periods of dominance and they completely vanished in the second half.
Big win for the Cats and gives them hope of grabbing a finals place. Sydney fall out of the top four with this loss and desperately need Buddy Franklin back to help their forward line.
Geelong 14.11.95 def. Sydney 9.9.63
It promises to be an emotion-charged evening at Simonds Stadium when the Geelong Cats host the Sydney Swans. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:20pm (AEST).
The Cats are clinging to eighth spot, with a host of teams behind them hoping they will slip up, while the Swans are desperate to maintain their spot in the top four with the in-form Tigers and Bulldogs breathing down their neck.
The big story of the night of course is the return of Swans star Adam Goodes. The dual Brownlow Medallist is back after a week’s rest from the stress of being booed all season from opposition supporters. The football world, indeed most of the country, will be waiting to see how the Geelong fans react.
The Swans are coming off a 52-point win over the Adelaide Crows, thanks mainly to a dominant midfield performance from Josh Kennedy, Daniel Hannebery, Jarrad McVeigh and Kieran Jack. This restored confidence after two consecutive bad losses to the Hawks and Eagles.
However they will have to win without their star forward Lance Franklin, who is out once again with a back injury.
The Cats are on a three-game winning streak, including a comfortable win over the Lions last week. This followed consecutive wins over finals contenders Western Bulldogs and the Giants.
Stevie Johnson is out suspended after his brain fade last week, although that is offset somewhat with the return of Mathew Stokes. Stokes was one of the Cats’ best last time these two teams met, in Round 7 at ANZ Stadium, when the Swans recorded a 43-point win.
The Swans’ midfield was dominant in that clash and if the Cats want to reverse that result they will need to improve on their 16th ranking in contested possessions, as Sydney are one of the league’s sixth best in this category.
Prediction
The Cats are tough to beat at home and in good form. But with Adam Goodes’ return the Swans will be on an emotional high.
Cats captain Joel Selwood could hold the key in his 200th match, and the Swans will be keen to curb his impact.
With Franklin out, Kurt Tippett will have a lot more responsibility on his broad shoulders. Tippett kicked three goals against his old side last week but has been disappointing overall. If he doesn’t fire the Swans could be in trouble.
Cats by 6 points.
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