Sydney Swans 16.11 (107) beat Geelong Cats 8.13 (61)
It’s all over at Simonds Stadium, on a fairly miserable night for the Cats. They started without their biggest star in Patrick Dangerfield, and ended the night without their skipper Joel Selwood, who battled through an ankle injury for the second half of the game. It’s the biggest loss at home for the Cats since 2006, when rivals Hawthorn beat them by 56. The Cats stay stuck on 50 points on the ladder - just 2 ahead of GWS and Richmond, both still to play.
For the Swans it was an emphatic win without their skipper and midfield star Josh P Kennedy. Stand-in captain Luke Parker led the way with 23 disposals (13 contested possessions, 8 clearances, 14 tackles and a goal). McVeigh and Hannebery had 21 each, Hannebery had 12 contested possessions, 4 clearances and 5 tackles, while McVeigh went at 86% disposal efficiency. Will Hayward and Tom Papley top-scored with 3 goals each.
Listening to the banjo solo of the Swans’ ‘Cheer, Cheer the Red and the White’ made me think of Jonathan Horn’s piece today on the history of AFL club theme songs. Check it out.
I’ll be back here tomorrow for the Australia Sportwatch live blog, which kicks off at 1pm. Join me for minute-by-minute action of the all-important clash between GWS and Melbourne, before the Sharks v Raiders game in the NRL tomorrow night, and anything and everything sport in between. Thanks to everyone who read, followed, tweeted or emailed in, especially the disgruntled Bombers fan who did not much like my reference to Joel Selwood’s painkillers (nah, actually he thought it was pretty funny).
AFL Q4 01:35 remaining Geelong 8.13 (61) v Sydney 16.11 (107)
Beautiful long, snap goal by Hayward for his third. Nice return for the youngster. Just over a minute to go.
AFL Q4 02:51 remaining Geelong 8.13 (61) v Sydney 15.11 (101)
Big, courageous mark from Hayward running back with the flight of the ball. He can’t convert, however. I’ve got RSI from typing ‘miss’ and ‘can’t convert’.
Ironically Menegola finally scores a goal - with a couple of minutes to go and my RSI well advanced.
Updated
AFL Q4 04:52 remaining Geelong 7.13 (55) v Sydney 15.10 (100)
Scott Selwood misses an easy set shot, after the Cats finally got a holding the ball for diving on the ball. They can’t get anything going their way. Selwood himself hasn’t stopped trying - with 13 tackles for the night.
Menegola has a chance to kick a set shot from the same spot he missed from not so long ago - and misses again. It’s contagious.
AFL Q4 10:02 remaining Geelong 7.10 (52) v Sydney 15.10 (100)
Nice tackle on Parker who fumbles and holding the ball goes to Menegola and the Cats. 10 minutes left for the Cats to try get some pride back.
AFL Q4 12:27 remaining Geelong 7.9 (51) v Sydney 15.10 (100)
Cats fans start to leave the ground, but no risk of them regretting it like Port fans did against St Kilda last week. Hayward gets one out of the air after Jack kicked it long into the square. Swans having fun now.
Updated
AFL Q4 13:53 remaining Geelong 7.9 (51) v Sydney 14.10 (94)
Lovely goal from Heeney, on the run 40m out. It’s a match-high lead to the Swans.
AFL Q4 14:32 remaining Geelong 7.9 (51) v Sydney 13.10 (88)
Deliberate paid against Grundy for an errant handpass, which gifts Simpson a shot on goal. He misses a right-foot banana.
AFL Q4 15:47 remaining Geelong 7.8 (50) v Sydney 13.10 (88)
Looked to be a massive goal to Buzza (who was possibly 60m out?) but Guthrie gives away a free on the goal line for hands in the back. Cats are unravelling. Joel Selwood looks to be done for the day, as he takes a seat at the back of the bench.
AFL Q4 17:20 remaining Geelong 7.8 (50) v Sydney 13.10 (88)
Rohan has a chance to put the result even further beyond doubt but misses after a lazy snap at goal. You’d think the Cats are too far behind to mount any serious challenge.
Updated
AFL three-quarter-time Geelong 7.8 (50) v Sydney 11.9 (75)
Geelong winning the disposal count easily (300-232), as well as the clearances (35-24), contested possessions (115-104) and hit-outs (33-25). They are however being out-tackled (71-65), while the Swans hold a very slim advantage in the inside 50s (33-32). They had plenty of chances that quarter, but couldn’t capitalise.
AFL three-quarter-time Geelong 7.8 (50) v Sydney 11.9 (75)
Franklin finally gets a touch in space just outside the 50 - where he likes it best, in other words - but misses everything and the ball dribbles out of play. Hasn’t been his night. The Swans get another chance through McVeigh - who has been shifted forward while Reid goes back. But he can’t convert either, and hits the post.
Franklin gives away a free to Joel Selwood, whose troublesome ankle gets caught in the tackle. He looks to be in pain (and trouble) again on the siren.
AFL Q3 02:37 remaining Geelong 7.8 (50) v Sydney 11.7 (73)
Smart play by McVeigh to lower the eyes and hit up Sinclair on a lead, only 30m out, tight angle. He misses - and again, the Swans fail to put the Cats away. Franklin hasn’t touched it this quarter.
AFL Q3 04:22 remaining Geelong 7.8 (50) v Sydney 11.7 (73)
Great tackle by Parker wins the Swans a holding the ball, which winds up in the hands of Nic Newman. He boots a big goal from 55m out. That hurts for the Cats.
Almost immediately, however, they get the reply they need through Guthrie. The Swans can’t seem to finally put the Cats away, but the Cats aren’t coming quite close enough, either.
Updated
AFL Q3 05:45 remaining Geelong 6.8 (44) v Sydney 10.6 (66)
According to the Channel Seven commentary team, the Swans were 0-6 down early in the season and then “things just changed”... indeed.
Menegola has a very important shot at goal - after Hawkins found him on a closer lead - but can’t convert. Plenty of missed opportunities this quarter for Geelong.
Back down the other end of the ground, a heavily bandaged Parker re-emerges after Rohan pinpoints a pass to his stand-in skipper. He misses an easy one.
AFL Q3 07:59 remaining Geelong 6.7 (43) v Sydney 10.6 (66)
Duncan races to 28 disposals - probably benefiting from Hewett’s close checking of Selwood. Papley snaps off the pack but lacks accuracy. Luke Parker is off with a decent-looking blood rule.
AFL Q3 11:35 remaining Geelong 6.7 (43) v Sydney 10.5 (65)
Scott Selwood gets one high inside the 50 - but looked to drop the knees. He kicks into the man on the mark in some poetic justice. Swans clear after some great team defence.
AFL Q3 12:53 remaining Geelong 6.7 (43) v Sydney 10.5 (65)
They’ve found some space in the middle, the Cats. Duncan now has 24 disposals - 7 contested possessions, at 80% disposal efficiency, 3 clearances and 4 tackles. Sam Simpson has a shot at goal but looks nervous, dishes it off messily and the Cats waste yet another opportunity at goal.
AFL Q3 14:59 remaining Geelong 6.7 (43) v Sydney 10.5 (65)
Joel Selwood has been in everything since returning - not sure how he’s doing it, but he’s making an impact. Great body work from Hawkins who completely outmuscles Grundy for another shot at goal. Again, he can’t make the distance, as the ball drifts well across goal. Meanwhile Tom Stewart misses everything, out on the full. Some wasted chances for the Cats.
AFL Q3 16:10 remaining Geelong 6.7 (43) v Sydney 10.5 (65)
Fortunate bounce for Parsons after a miskick from Scott Selwood falls into his arms. Nice snap though for the opening goal to the Cats.
AFL Q3 17:34 remaining Geelong 5.7 (37) v Sydney 10.5 (65)
Menegola finds Hawkins on a lead - Hawkins, however, fell to the ground after marking and looked in pain. He was OK to take the kick - but didn’t make the distance, and accuracy wasn’t there either. Rushed through.
AFL half-time Geelong 5.6 (36) v Sydney 10.5 (65)
Have just seen Joel Selwood up and running and looking completely fine in the rooms - thank god for needles!
AFL half-time Geelong 5.6 (36) v Sydney 10.5 (65)
Did anyone else just watch that bizarre Swisse ad? What was with that emotional piano solo? Are we selling pharmaceuticals or life insurance? Does this happen every week?
And yes, thanks Kate for the observation for that neither Swisse ambassador is actually fit to play.
The swisse curse strikes again #AFLCatsSwans pic.twitter.com/2ay1eF2u6r
— Non Sensible Kate (@nonsensiblekate) August 4, 2017
Updated
AFL half-time Geelong 5.6 (36) v Sydney 10.5 (65)
Injury alert: Joel Selwood went straight down into the rooms after that ankle injury and hasn’t emerged at all (says Matthew Richardson, stalking the locked changeroom door).
In all seriousness, you’d think that’s game over for Geelong if he doesn’t come back. Or a momentous, unlikely victory... either way, it’s backs against the wall for the Cats.
AFL half-time Geelong 5.6 (36) v Sydney 10.5 (65)
And just because it was so good, check out this brilliant Hannebery goal through so many defenders.
How, Hannebery? 😮 #AFLCatsSwans pic.twitter.com/W1kansSGPk
— AFL (@AFL) August 4, 2017
AFL half-time Geelong 5.6 (36) v Sydney 10.5 (65)
Here’s that Franklin goal. Been well held by Lonergan, but he doesn’t need much of an opportunity to swoop.
Buddy brilliant. #AFLCatsSwans pic.twitter.com/U457kWdhAj
— AFL (@AFL) August 4, 2017
AFL half-time Geelong 5.6 (36) v Sydney 10.5 (65)
Hannebery goes hard at the hard-ball (surprise, surprise) and the ball spills out the back of the pack to Lance Franklin - who finally gets his first. It’s back out to 29 points, but undoubtedly the story of the second quarter is the apparent injury to Joel Selwood. Will he return? Have to think the Cats are in a lot of trouble with no Danger, no Joel Selwood.
Updated
AFL Q2 02:36 remaining Geelong 5.6 (36) v Sydney 9.5 (59)
Joel Selwood looks very, very sore - he can’t put any weight on his left leg and is being helped by two trainers. Incredibly bad news for the Cats if he doesn’t return.
Another goal to Gary Rohan on the run puts some space between the Swans and Cats.
AFL Q2 03:44 remaining Geelong 5.6 (36) v Sydney 8.5 (53)
Sam Reid is back behind the ball to mind Hawkins while the Swans look to get Grundy back on the ground (he’s still off in a costly absence that has seen two Hawkins goals). Guthrie almost kicks a fourth for the Swans - but hits the post. Still no Grundy.
AFL Q2 05:24 remaining Geelong 5.5 (35) v Sydney 8.5 (53)
Make that three in a row for the Cats - Hawkins one on one with Rampe uses his body and outworks him to it. That’s his third - and the Cats are back to 18 points behind.
AFL Q2 06:19 remaining Geelong 4.5 (29) v Sydney 8.5 (53)
Geelong get back-to-back goals, this time through Menegola, who is fired up. Margin back to 24 from 37.
Top disposal getters - Scott Selwood has 15 for Geelong, with 6 contested possessions, 5 clearances and 5 tackles. Mitch Duncan and Zach Tuohy follow with 14 each - Duncan has 79% disposal efficiency with 4 tackles and 3 clearances.
It has been much more of a team effort for the Swans - but McVeigh leads the way with 13 disposals including 4 tackles at 85% disposal efficiency
AFL Q2 09:55 remaining Geelong 3.4 (22) v Sydney 8.5 (53)
Very, very quick one back to Geelong through Hawkins after a clearance from Duncan - they needed that, desperately.
Updated
AFL Q2 10:01 remaining Geelong 2.4 (16) v Sydney 8.5 (53)
Gary Rohan on the lead for the Swans eighth of the evening - and he hits it very nicely.
AFL Q2 12:43 remaining Geelong 2.4 (16) v Sydney 7.5 (47)
Uh oh. Hawkins gets his opponent in the face with a fist. Cameron Ling says he ‘can’t’ get suspended in the lead-up to finals - but I’m pretty sure that he will, or should, if the AFL are serious about the crackdown.
AFL Q2 13:55 remaining Geelong 2.4 (16) v Sydney 7.5 (47)
Heavily umpired game tonight - not a big fan of that. Home crowd thinks they’re getting hard done by - they’re down 10 frees to 7 - but the Swans have been first to the ball. Franklin has had a few chances on the lead, but has dropped the last few that have come his way.
AFL Q2 16:32 remaining Geelong 2.4 (16) v Sydney 7.5 (47)
Some nice tackling pressure from the Cats to start this quarter, who have slowed things up and focused on pinpoint passes. Eventually they find Murdoch 50m out on an angle - and a very tight angle for a left-footer. Just the one behind - while Gary Rohan limps away from the contest in a worrying sign.
AFL quarter-time Geelong 2.3 (15) v Sydney 7.5 (47)
I can confirm that Chris Scott actually looks like this right now.
#AFLCatsSwans Chris Scott is looking a bit Charles Bronson ATM pic.twitter.com/jQJyKS9O6C
— LOST IN WESTEROS (@cutler2306) August 4, 2017
AFL quarter-time Geelong 2.3 (15) v Sydney 7.5 (47)
Not content with seven goals, Heeney pinpoints Papley 45m out. He can’t convert, but that’s a daunting scoreline to take into quarter time. Another seven goal first-quarter from a Swans outfit playing the Cats. Impressive at the Cats’ home ground.
Updated
AFL Q1 01:53 remaining Geelong 2.3 (15) v Sydney 7.4 (46)
Franklin’s back in the game. All is okay. But he misses from a tight angle. It’s not long before the ball is back deep inside 50. Free kick to Reid who kicks yet another goal for the Swans to reach the seven goal mark. Ominous signs.
Updated
AFL Q1 03:03 remaining Geelong 2.3 (15) v Sydney 6.3 (39)
Franklin takes a contested mark! I’m thrilled. And he picks out Sam Reid 55m out on the lead. Now he wants it back from Reid - that’s more like the Buddy we know. He then hassles McVeigh - who palms off to Franklin - who runs into trouble and gets it back to McVeigh who finds Heeney on the lead. All going Sydney’s way. Except Heeney’s kick.
AFL Q1 04:39 remaining Geelong 2.3 (15) v Sydney 6.2 (38)
Not a single disposal to Lance Franklin. In full disclosure I am playing a Supercoach final this week, he’s in my forward line and I’m really not happy about it. To repeat, the Swans have kicked six goals and he hasn’t touched it.
Meanwhile, the Cats get a 50 to put Zac Smith well within range - from 45 out. He looks to hand it off - and reluctantly takes the kick. It’s a wobbler, and the goal umpire takes out some players. Nice to see the umps get one back.
AFL Q1 06:04 remaining Geelong 2.2 (14) v Sydney 6.2 (38)
Cats looking somewhat more settled, and Harry Taylor has gone backwards to try and lend a hand to a backline that has endured a barrage.
Heeney assists out of a pack to Hanneberry who somehow finds his way through four defenders and winds one back for a brilliant goal.
AFL Q1 07:50 remaining Geelong 2.2 (14) v Sydney 5.2 (32)
Foray forward by Selwood, who has finally returned to the field after being off for a good chunk of time while the Swans kicked several of those five goals in a row.
Now Guthrie lines up for the Cats’ third. He didn’t look confident, and now I see why.
AFL Q1 09:11 remaining Geelong 2.1 (13) v Sydney 5.2 (32)
Will this be another seven goal first-quarter for the Swans? At least the Cats have scored one this quarter - a feat they didn’t manage in last year’s Preliminary Final. Just as I’m writing them off, Zac Tuohy finds Zac Smith on the lead (not sure he actually meant to kick it there, but nevermind).
Finally a second goal to the Cats.
AFL Q1 10:18 remaining Geelong 1.1 (7) v Sydney 5.2 (32)
11 inside 50s now to the Swans, and only 5 to the Cats. Tom Papley snaps another roving goal for Sydney’s fifth.
Updated
AFL Q1 11:23 remaining Geelong 1.1 (7) v Sydney 4.2 (26)
The Swans only needed 20 possessions for their four goals. Now that’s efficiency. One man that hasn’t featured for the Swans is Lance Franklin, who is being well held.
AFL Q1 12:53 remaining Geelong 1.1 (7) v Sydney 4.1 (25)
The Swans are on fire - Hayward snaps a goal for their fourth in six minutes. That one was the result of a turnover in the centre of the ground after the Cats tried to centre.
Updated
AFL Q1 13:36 remaining Geelong 1.1 (7) v Sydney 3.1 (19)
Sam Reid looked to have kicked another for the Swans - from outside 50 - but Henderson gets a touch on it just before the line. Good call from the goal umpire, as it looked a goal before the replay.
AFL Q1 13:36 remaining Geelong 1.1 (7) v Sydney 3.0 (18)
Just three forward 50 entries for the Swans for three goals - and with that goal they had three goals from five kicks. Unbelievable - that Hawkins free-kick certainly seemed to wrest momentum away from the Cats.
AFL Q1 14:20 remaining Geelong 1.1 (7) v Sydney 3.0 (18)
Holding the ball against Parfitt goes to Luke Parker who kicks a huge goal from outside 50, off only a couple of steps.
AFL Q1 15:08 remaining Geelong 1.1 (7) v Sydney 2.0 (12)
Tom Papley gets another for the Swans over the back of the pack - Henderson gave away the free to Reid and Papley took the advantage for a nice, roving goal.
AFL Q1 15:30 remaining Geelong 1.1 (7) v Sydney 1.0 (6)
#freekickSelwood - Hewett looks to be tagging him. Meanwhile Hawkins lets out some of that aggression by elbowing Kieran Jack in the head, and gets 50 for his troubles. That lets the Swans in - and Sam Reid kicks truly.
AFL Q1 16:22 remaining Geelong 1.1 (7) v Sydney 0.0 (0)
Early signs aren’t good for the Swans. Cats are dominating disposals at the moment - 17-6, and pressure is right up. They’ve had 4 inside 50s to the Swans’ 0.
AFL Q1 17:29 remaining Geelong 1.1 (7) v Sydney 0.0 (0)
Zak Jones and Tom Hawkins are all up in each other’s faces - you get the sense that Jones doesn’t mind that. Hawkins has the last laugh as he takes a bullet pass from Mitch Duncan, and kicks the opening goal of the night.
AFL Q1 18:30 remaining Geelong 0.1 (1) v Sydney 0.0 (0)
Guthrie to Scott to Joel Selwood to the top of the square, no mark to Taylor, but our first score of the day is a rushed behind to the Cats.
Ball locked up inside the Cats’ forward line.
Sirens are sounding, just a minute or so away from the bounce. Tom Lonergan will line up on Buddy Franklin, by the look of it. Swans - via today’s captain Luke Parker - win the toss.
Our friends at ABC Grandstand interviewed Mark Blicavs before the game - says he hopes to be back for the first final.
LISTEN: Mark Blicavs from @GeelongCats "Ticking off my rehab well, hopefully back for first final" https://t.co/dXYHsGYk0L #aflcatsswans
— ABC Sport AFL (@ABCAFL) August 4, 2017
Harry Taylor to start forward, according to Scott. Has 16 goals for the season to date - compared to 43 for Hawkins, their leading goalkicker.
Fans, however, are ruing the fact that Cameron Ling is in the commentary box for yet another Geelong match. I’d also personally prefer no Wayne Carey either.
Cameron Ling commentating a Geelong game- bloody hell #aflcatsswans pic.twitter.com/3dLOK6mchX
— Drew George (@DrewyG) August 4, 2017
No late outs for either team - but there is a very important out - and welcome news for all fans.
LATE CHANGE
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) August 4, 2017
Brian Taylor is a late out for Channel 7 ahead of tonight's #AFLCatsSwans blockbuster.
No Roaming Brian at the Cattery.
On a much earlier note, does anyone remember the incredible 2005 semi-final between these two teams? Nick Davis kicked an unforgettable goal with just seconds remaining in what was a game for the ages. I’ve found this AFL highlights package, which has unearthed the sign ‘NICK DAVIS COME TO SAVIS’ ...!
Remember the last time these two teams played? It was the preliminary final of 2016 - and the Swans started with a seven-goal-to-none first quarter from which the Cats would never recover. The Swans eventually won by 37 points in what became Jimmy Bartel’s last game for the Cats. For the Cats, Joel Selwood starred with 38 touches, while tonight’s notable absentee Patrick Dangerfield had 39.
Familiar names Dane Rampe and Kieran Jack had a big impact for the Swans, and Zak Jones emerged with a staggering 15 rebounds out of defensive 50. A man by the name of Tom Mitchell was also prominent that day, but luckily for the Cats he’s one less player they’ll have to worry about.
Preamble
Good evening everyone, and welcome to this Friday night AFL live blog of the Geelong v Sydney game from Simonds Stadium. The game itself kicks off at 7:50pm so we’ll be up and running in around 20 minutes.
The big question is what difference the absence of Patrick Dangerfield will make to the Cats’ chances of winning against the Swans, who, until last week, were the form side of the competition. The Swans had beaten fellow top-four aspirants GWS and Melbourne in their last month of football before they fell to the rapidly-improving Hawks. As well as Dangerfield, the Cats will be missing Nakia Cockatoo (whose repeat hamstring injury raised questions), Daniel Menzel and Steven Motlop (who were chances to return), which should open the door for the Swans. That said, the Swans have been hit with a big injury of their own - with last week’s milestone man Josh P. Kennedy missing with a hamstring. I would, however, argue that they welcome back a lot more firepower than they’re missing - with Jake Lloyd, Sam Reid, Gary Rohan and out-of-favour Kurt Tippett set to return. I’ll be closely watching how Tippett goes tonight, and it’ll be fascinating to see where he ends up next season.
Other players to watch include Geelong’s Tom Hawkins after his mammoth game against Carlton last week. Hawkins had a career-best 27 disposals, and booted six goals playing further down the ground. Wouldn’t they like him to do that every week? I’m guessing he’ll be played more on the wing again today. It was interesting, if unsurprising, to see that his rival coaches voted Chris Scott the hardest coach to play against earlier this week. As always, Lance Franklin should also provide some highlights after he was lucky to escape without suspension for his run-in with retiring former teammate Luke Hodge.
It’s hard to overstate the importance of this one for both clubs. Sydney in particular need a win after their loss to the Hawks sent them back into a pack of finals contenders including reigning premiers the Bulldogs, Eagles and Demons (after their own shock loss to the Kangaroos), all of whom are tied on 40 points. The Swans sit sixth only for their superior percentage. The Cats, meanwhile, are only a game adrift of the Crows, and will like their chances of a top-two finish, but also need to consolidate their grip on the top four. They sit just two points above GWS and Richmond, while Port Adelaide are another game behind the Tigers in fifth - themselves a game ahead of the Swans.
Back to the Dangerfield thing, though (since we haven’t talked about it enough this week) - do you think the Cats should have challenged? Or is Martin in by a street anyway (and is the clash against Richmond next week more important?) And who should I tip? It’s not easy to go against the Cats at Simonds, but Sydney will be up for the fight. Should be a classic.
Kate will be here shortly. In the meantime, this is why the Cats’ star man and no-longer Brownlow hopeful is not playing tonight:
