Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats: AFL match result, highlights

Match result:

Geelong have brushed off a persistent Sydney Swans side to take their 14th win of the year and remain a game clear on top of the AFL ladder.

Tom Hawkins kicked five in his 250th game, Tim Kelly had 31 disposals (the most out there today), while Mitch Duncan, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood were on top in the middle.

After an even first half, a dominant third term saw the Cats cream rise to the top and lead by 22 at the final change.

Final score
Sydney 12.8.80
Geelong 16.11.107

Match preview:

The Sydney Swans host the ladder leaders the Geelong Cats at the SCG on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for all the action with live scores and a blog of the match from 3:20pm AEST.

It’s a big opportunity for the Swans, who could steal a win against a struggling-for-form Cats squad.

Chris Scott has made some changes and will be looking to his leaders to stand up, closing in on the end of the home and away season.

A last-ditch effort by the Swans to steal the win in the final term was unsuccessful, as they fell to Fremantle by one point in Perth.

Sam Reid kicked three on a low-scoring night and Jake Lloyd had 42 disposals, but the team lost clearances and contested possession and ultimately the game.

Geelong also suffered a loss, a 24-point defeat at the hands of another clinical Hawthorn performance.

The Cats started okay, but Alastair Clarkson and his Hawks were able to play their game and if they were accurate would have absolutely demolished Geelong.

It was the Cats third loss in five games and they are now only one game ahead at the top of the table.

Sydney have been forced to make one change.

Will Hayward has been sidelined with a hip injury. According to John Longmire, Hayward’s hip hasn’t been right for a while and now needs a break.

Jordan Dawson was suspended for rough conduct and missed the trip to Perth last week, but immediately returns to the team.

The Cats have also elected to three changes.

Gary Rohan and Zach Tuohy have been left out for the trip north, managed heading into the business end of the season. Rhys Stanley has been omitted.

Zac Smith replaces Stanley, lining up in the AFL side for just the second time this year.

Scott Selwood and Jack Henry also return to the line-up.

This will be Scott Selwood’s first AFL game for the year following a strong stint in the VFL side, where he has featured in the best players for the last six rounds.

In Round 11, Geelong defeated Sydney by 22 points at GMHBA Stadium.

The Swans were on top of the contest early, but a second-half fight back from Geelong secured the home side’s victory.

Young Swan Oliver Florent will play his 50th AFL match against the Cats.

Geelong’s Tom Hawkins will reach the 250-game milestone this weekend; the key forward arrived at the club under the father-son rule in the 2006 national draft and has been the Cats’ leading goal-kicker for the last seven years.

Prediction
With five rounds to go, Geelong are happily on top of the ladder, but seeking consistent form.

In Hawkins’ 250th, the Cats should get up despite this being at the SCG.

Geelong by 17 points

Where: SCG, Sydney
When: 3:20pm AEST
TV: Channel 7, Foxtel
Online: AFL App, Foxtel App, Kayo Sports
Betting: Sydney $2.55, Geelong $1.52

Sydney Swans
B: Aliir Aliir, Lewis Melican, Dane Rampe
HB: Jordan Dawson, Callum Mills, Jake Lloyd
C: Oliver Florent, Isaac Heeney, Zak Jones
HF: George Hewett, Tom McCartin, Tom Papley
F: Nick Blakey, Sam Reid, James Rowbottom
Foll: Hayden McLean, Josh P. Kennedy, Luke Parker
I/C: Ryan Clarke, Ryley Stoddart, Colin O’Riordan, Robbie Fox

Geelong Cats
B: Jed Bews, Harry Taylor, Jake Kolodjashnij
HB: Mitch Duncan, Mark Blicavs, Tom Stewart
C: Jordan Clark, Scott Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield
HF: Gary Ablett, Esava Ratugolea, Cameron Guthrie
F: Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Hawkins, Tom Atkins
Foll: Esava Ratugolea, Joel Selwood, Tim Kelly
I/C: Gryan Miers, James Parsons, Jack Henry, Mark O’Connor