Joel Selwood leads the way for Geelong as they triumph against Sydney.
The Geelong Cats showed they are still a forced to reckoned with in this year’s AFL competition after defeating the Sydney Swans by 21 points at the SCG.
It was a significant statement by the Cats as they not only dispatched of the reigning premiers on their home ground, but did so to remain undefeated in 2013.
With skipper Joel Selwood at his brilliant best, the Cats put their foot down after half-time en route to an eye-catching 19.10 (124) to 16.7 (103) win over the reigning premiers.
Just as the Swans had done to North Melbourne last week, it was a third-quarter blitz that gave Geelong its match-winning lead in front of 31,060 fans.
With Tom Hawkins dominant up front and Selwood and Steve Johnson pulling the strings, seven goals to one in the third term gave the Cats a 31-point lead at the last change.
Selwood filled the stat line with 30 possessions, nine tackles, seven clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal, while Hawkins and Steve Motlop kicked three goals each for Geelong.
It was an uncharacteristically flat display from the Swans, who lacked their usual defensive intensity and were guilty of some poor discipline.
Dan Hannebery (29 disposals, two goals) was the home side’s best despite battling a leg problem and Nick Malceski battled hard, but a number of their stars were well beaten.
Josh Kennedy had just 16 touches to three quarter-time and 23 for the game, with fellow midfielders Ryan O’Keefe, Kieren Jack and Luke Parker also unable to have their usual influence.
They also have some injury concerns, with versatile big man Lewis Roberts-Thomson substituted in the second quarter with an apparent right knee injury.
Check out some of the highlights from the game below:
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