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Sydney Swans stun Geelong Cats with final-quarter blitz

AFL

Captain fantastic Josh Kennedy has led the way and many of his less heralded teammates joined the party as Sydney stormed home with a seven-goal final-quarter blitz to stun Geelong by 17 points at GMHBA Stadium.

The Swans looked down and out when they trailed by 22 points at three-quarter time on Saturday, having booted only one goal in the previous two terms.

Rookie Robbie Fox got the visitors up and going with a huge mark and goal early in the fourth quarter and the Swans kicked away to win 12.14 (86) to 10.9 (69).

It was Sydney's third straight AFL victory at the stadium, which are also the only three matches the Cats have dropped in the past 21 on their home deck.

Kennedy had 13 of his game-high 33 disposals in the final quarter.

"He's always confident what he can do, both as a player and leader," Swans coach John Longmire said. "That doesn't seem to waver when you talk to him but he's a pretty proud bloke.

"He was disappointed with his game last week (in the loss to Sydney). Knowing him and what sort of person he is, he would always be better next week.

"I thought he was good until three-quarter time but he went to the next level in the last quarter."

Big Swan Callum Sinclair dominated his ruck contest and Rhys Stanley and lesser lights Will Hayward (three goals), Fox, Oliver Florent and first-gamer Ben Ronke (two apiece) picked up the slack in the absence of the injured Lance Franklin.

"The most important number besides the scoreboard was the centre clearances and they weren't good for us all day, which was obviously a huge disappointment - I think it was 16-5," Cats coach Chris Scott said.

"In the last quarter they were able to scunge a few goals early and get the momentum with a bit of breeze behind their backs.

"The centre clearances were obviously going to be crucial and we just got dominated in there and dominated inside."

Sydney's powerhouse final term was even more stunning because they managed only one major in the middle two quarters.

Even that single goal required the intervention of the video official to determine that Hayward had toe-poked the ball across the line, even though it appeared the last touch may have been a back heel from teammate Isaac Heeney.

The Cats were best-served by midfielders Tim Kelly and Joel Selwood, and defender Tom Stewart.

Jordan Murdoch was reported just before halftime for a high bump on Heeney, although there didn't appear to be any malice from the Geelong utility.

The Swans improved their win-loss record to 4-2, while Geelong slipped to 3-3 before another big home match on Friday night against Greater Western Sydney.

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