Geelong have staved off an early challenge from Sydney on Sunday afternoon to officially secure a place in September, defeating the Swans by 43 points at the SCG. 

Momentum shifted back and forth numerous times throughout a tight first half, but the Cats flexed their muscle after the main break kicking eight goals to three, strengthening their grip on a top four position with one game left in the home and away season. 

There were big winners right across the ground for the Cats; Shannon Neale was significant with a four-goal haul in the opening half, Bailey Smith (30 disposals, nine score involvements) accumulated plenty of the footy, while Ollie Dempsey (21 disposals, nine score involvements) and Tom Atkins (21 disposals, seven clearances) both produced a number of big moments to steer Geelong to victory. 

One pleasing aspect from Sunday’s game was the performance of Geelong’s defensive unit with Jack Henry, Tom Stewart and Sam De Koning picking off 27 intercept possessions between them. 

The game certainly did not begin the way that Chris Scott and his side would have wanted but after an early onslaught from the Swans, Geelong settled into their work and booted four unanswered goals to leave scores level at quarter time. 

Shannon Neale played a telling role early, launching home a long range set shot to open the Cats account, before plucking a big contested grab and kicking his second shortly after.

The second quarter started in an eerily similar fashion to the first, Sydney kicked away early before Neale stood tall once again, booting two more goals to pull the Cats back into the contest. 

Tyson Stengle hit the scoreboard later in the term after a brilliant solo effort, shrugging off multiple tackles to put Geelong nine points clear at the main break. 

Neale was the standout in the opening half with four goals, Jack Martin chipped in with two of his own, while Bailey Smith found plenty of the footy collecting 20 disposals and five score involvements. 

Perhaps the most pleasing aspect for Geelong in the first half was their defence with Jack Henry, Sam De Koning and Tom Stewart combining to pick off 14 intercept possessions. 

Stengle produced another slice of magic to kickstart the second half, nailing a long range set shot from tight against the boundary to give his side the perfect start.

Geelong’s defence continued to answer the challenge throughout the third term, conceding one goal from 14 inside 50 entries as the Cats extended the margin to 26 points at the final break. 

Looking to pull away to an unassailable lead in the last term, Stengle once again gave the Cats a perfect start as he got on the end of a brilliant chain to kick his third goal, less than a minute into the quarter. 

Geelong continued to pull away from there, closing out a 43 point victory to lock in their spot in the top eight with one game left in the home and away season. 

2025 AFL Season – Round 23

SYDNEY        4.3     7.4     8.6      10.8    (68)  
GEELONG      4.3     8.7    12.8    16.15   (111)  
GOALS
Sydney: Papley, McLean, Ladhams 2, McCartin, Heeney, Campbell, Buller 1
Geelong: Neale 4, Stengle, Mannagh 3, Miers, Martin 2, Dempsey, Dangerfield 1

BEST
Sydney: Ladhams, Gulden, Papley, Warner, Mills
Geelong: Smith, Neale, Mannagh, Atkins, Holmes, Dempsey, Stengle, Stewart

INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
Geelong: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Caiden Cleary (replaced Jesse Dattoli in the third quarter)
Geelong: Jack Bowes (replaced Jack Henry in the fourth quarter)