MATCH CENTRE
MATCH CENTRE
FINALS WEEK 2, 2017

GEELONG

V

SYDNEY

GeelongGEEL WIN BY 59
15.8
98
FT
5.9
39
MCG
2017-09-15T09:50:00Z

Preview

The Cats finished equal first on points on the ladder this season, ending up second on percentage behind Adelaide. However, you would not know it going into the semi-final against Sydney this week.

Geelong is up against it this week, coming off a 51-point thumping at the hands of the Tigers and Chris Scott's men now face the in-form Swans, who have won 15 of their past 17 matches. Not many are giving the Cats a chance of knocking off the Swans and expect them to go out in straight sets for the second time in four years.

On recent form, it is hard to disagree. To make matters worse, Sydney has the edge over Geelong, winning its past three matches against the hoops, by an average of 40 points. Geelong will also be without midfielder Cameron Guthrie who suffered a calf strain during last week's loss to Richmond. However, mercurial forward Daniel Menzel will come back into the side following his shock axing in week one of the finals.

Talls Wylie Buzza and Rhys Stanley will also be considered given Harry Taylor could move back into defence due to Sydney's tall forward line.

Sydney's dominance over the Cats in recent times has been set up by fast starts. Both in last year's preliminary final and in Round 20 this season, the Swans all but put the game to bed in the opening 20 minutes. Geelong will need to ensure they come firing out of the blocks early if they are any chance of causing an upset.

Star forward Lance Franklin is in brilliant form at the moment and even if he is well held by Tom Lonergan, like he was earlier this year, the Swans have goal kicking options everywhere.

Captain Josh Kennedy also has his onballers firing and the depth in the Swans' midfield may also prove too much to handle for the Cats.

Geelong is unlikely to perform as badly as last week and leaders Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield will ensure the group respond. But even with a strong response, it is hard to see the Cats pulling off an upset against the most in-form, well drilled and polished team in the competition.

Tip: Sydney by 20 points

Team Line-Ups


Geelong

Sydney


Team Stats


Geelong

Sydney

Disposals
MATCH
334
2025 AVG.
1002
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
360
2025 AVG.
1080
2025 TOTAL
Contested Possessions
MATCH
145.3
2025 AVG.
436
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
136.3
2025 AVG.
409
2025 TOTAL
Kicks
MATCH
218
2025 AVG.
654
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
228
2025 AVG.
684
2025 TOTAL
Handballs
MATCH
116
2025 AVG.
348
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
132
2025 AVG.
396
2025 TOTAL
Frees For
MATCH
19
2025 AVG.
57
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
24.3
2025 AVG.
73
2025 TOTAL
Clearances
MATCH
39.7
2025 AVG.
119
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
36.7
2025 AVG.
110
2025 TOTAL
Centre Clearances
MATCH
13
2025 AVG.
39
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
10.7
2025 AVG.
32
2025 TOTAL
Stoppage Clearances
MATCH
26.7
2025 AVG.
80
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
26
2025 AVG.
78
2025 TOTAL
Inside 50
MATCH
51.7
2025 AVG.
155
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
54.7
2025 AVG.
164
2025 TOTAL
Marks
MATCH
89.3
2025 AVG.
268
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
88
2025 AVG.
264
2025 TOTAL
Marks Inside 50
MATCH
12.3
2025 AVG.
37
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
8.7
2025 AVG.
26
2025 TOTAL
Contested Marks
MATCH
11
2025 AVG.
33
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
7.3
2025 AVG.
22
2025 TOTAL
Tackles
MATCH
80.7
2025 AVG.
242
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
61.7
2025 AVG.
185
2025 TOTAL
Hit Outs
MATCH
39
2025 AVG.
117
2025 TOTAL
2025 AVG.
2025 TOTAL
42
2025 AVG.
126
2025 TOTAL

Player Stats


Geelong

Sydney


Summary


Score Breakdown

  1 2 3 4
3.1
19
9.4
58
13.4
82
15.8
98
2.2
14
3.4
22
4.9
33
5.9
39

Best On Ground