Swans run out imposing victors

Sydney Swans  105  defeated  Geelong  51

Five goals by imposing forward Barry Hall has helped the Sydney Swans to an emphatic 54-point victory against the third-placed Geelong at the SCG tonight.

Hall slammed on four goals in a second-quarter burst, which saw Sydney blow the match open with nine goals to two, running out with a comfortable 16.9 (105) to 7.9 (51) victory.

Though, the pain inflicted on Geelong was felt even before the opening bounce, with the exclusion of key players in Stephen King, Cameron Ling and Jarrad Rooke.

Despite suffering minor concussion nearing the half time break, Brett Kirk fought on gallantly in the second half - collecting 22 possessions and booting two goals for the game. Ryan O'Keefe stood up, amassing 23 disposals, seven marks and two goals.

Adam Goodes was imposing in his 150th match, racking up 21 touches and 10 marks, while Leo Barry was resolute in defence, holding Cats' forward Kent Kingsley to only one goal.

James Kelly and Garry Ablett were shining lights in the Geelong midfield, creating plenty of run in collecting 20 and 21 possessions respectively, while late inclusion Cameron Thurley booted three goals from 12 disposals to be the only standout forward.

Geelong were out to make early inroads and Thurley provided the spark, booting the first goal of the match after two minutes. Sydney hit back minutes later with a goal from long range by former Magpie Nick Davis.

Sydney failed to make any scoreboard pressure, though neither did Geelong – despite dominating out of the centre and going forward. The Cats created seven shots at goal, yet could only muster one major, however, still led the Swans by three points at quarter time.

Following a stagnant first quarter, where both sides could only manage a goal apiece, Sydney turned the heat up in the second stanza, largely guided by Adam Goodes and Brett Kirk from the centre.

Barry Hall was retarded in the first quarter, though, broke away from Matthew Scarlett, booting four second quarter goals, as Sydney banged on five goals in the first seven minutes while Geelong remained scoreless.

Nic Fosdike was a major cornerstone in providing fast run from the centre and direct entries to the forwards, as the Swans booted nine goals to two to lead by 40 points at the major break.

Trailing ominously, the Cats went about clawing their way back and David Haynes, Cameron Thurley and Paul Chapman provided the visitors with the first three goals to close the deficit to 23 points heading into time on in the third stanza.

However, Hall put a knife directly through Geelong's hard work and persistence, booting his fifth, followed by Kirk booting his first for the match only minutes later.

Geelong's last quarter task was made even greater when Luke Ablett fortuitously booted a goal after the siren from 55 metres out, with the Swans holding a comfortable 41-point buffer at the final break.

With a match-winning three quarter time lead, Sydney went on a percentage-boosting campaign in the last quarter, booting three of the first four goals to extend their lead to 56 points after 20 minutes.

Geelong only managed one final quarter goal, while the Swans booted three, though, failed to drive the nail in the coffin any further during time-on.

Next Week, Sydney travel down to Melbourne with a crucial encounter against a struggling Melbourne unit at Telstra Dome, whilst Geelong return home to Skilled Stadium for a Saturday afternoon clash against a raging Port Adelaide.

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