Selwood botched his first kick but by quarter’s end the midfielder was best afield,with 12 touches. Dangerfield and Isaac Smith were kick-to-kick partners in the pre-game warm-ups,and were soon busy early when it mattered. Wingman Smith,seeking a fourth flag,having had three with the Hawks,joined Hawkins with two first-term goals,both of which were opportunistic. He would later add another goal among his 32 touches,and was named Norm Smith medallist.
When Dangerfield’s clever long pass found Mark Blicavs in the pocket,leading to another goal,the engine was humming.
The stunned Swans had to make a statement in the second term. They lifted their pressure rating,and threw a few punches,but the Cats always responded.
Tyson Stengle,the All-Australian small forward,and one of the great tales of redemption this season,followed Hawkins and Smith in having multiple goals. He finished the afternoon with four.
Swans co-captains Callum Mills and Luke Parker worked hard,a Mills long bomb providing some momentum. Chad Warner was also busy,the Swans looking to retain possession and make the Cats work. But too many teammates failed to have an impact.
Isaac Heeney,with five goals when the teams met in round two,took until the 18-minute mark to have his first touch – from a free kick. He delivered a late goal,but his team still trailed by six majors. Franklin,with Jack Henry,and not Sam de Koning as expected,as his opponent,had only three touches to half-time,and was possessionless in the third. He pushed up the ground but could not mark.
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Sam Reid,in doubt all week as he dealt with an adductor injury that he suffered against Collingwood,could not run,and was silenced by De Koning,who finished among the Cats’ best.
Reid was a non-factor,and had treatment in the dressing room just before the main break. He was subbed off just after half-time,sparking questions as to why he was selected.
The Cats,however,had made their tough call on injured youngster Max Holmes,and had Irishman Mark O’Connor fit and healthy.
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The Swans,the No.1 ranked pressure side in the competition,needed to reprise this early in the third term,a period dubbed the “premiership quarter” when Carlton ran amok in the early 1980s. On this day,it was when the Swans fell apart.
It may be unfair to single out players,but Tom McCartin won’t be tuning in to a replay anytime soon. First,he was too slow to kick and was tackled,leading to a Mitch Duncan goal. The lack of awareness summed up his team. Minutes later,his short pass across goal was intercepted by Brad Close,who also converted. The Cats’ lead was out to eight goals. Game over.
Smith and the relentless Cam Guthrie then joined the party,while Dangerfield’s contested work was a sight to behold. A robust handball to Stengle for a goal will linger in the memory.
Duncan and Zach Tuohy,the latter joining teammate O’Connor and Sydney’s Tadhg Kennelly as the only Irish premiership players,were also in the thick of things.
Fox was one of the Swans’ few winners,Cameron struggling to have an impact until the final term,while Clarke stalled Stewart’s run. It mattered little.
A 74-point lead at three quarter-time meant the final term was nothing short of a celebration,and a chance for a handful of Cats to press for the Norm Smith Medal. A hamstring strain to Guthrie was a mildly sour note,but his elation when medical substitute Brandan Parfitt accepted a handball and kicked a goal epitomised the Cats’ spirit.
Scott and his men thoroughly deserved this flag,the Cats’ ability to remain in contention for most of the past decade since their 2011 success a tribute to all. The Swans also know how to rebuild on the run. Don’t be surprised if both teams are back on this day next year.
GEELONG 6.5 9.8 15.11 20.13 (133)
SYDNEY 1.0 4.2 4.3 8.4 (52)
GOALS
Geelong: Stengle 4,Smith 3,Hawkins 3,Close 2,Cameron 2,De Koning,Duncan,Blicavs,Selwood,Guthrie,Parfitt.
Sydney: Warner 2,Papley,Hayward,Heeney,Mills,McCartin,McLean.
BEST
Geelong: Smith,Dangerfield,Hawkins,Henry,Stengle,Blicavs,Selwood,Close.
Sydney: Fox,Warner,Lloyd,Rowbottom,Papley.
UMPIRES
Meredith,Stevic,Hosking.
CROWD
100,024 at the MCG.
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