GEELONG
3.1 9.4 13.4 15.8 (98)
SYDNEY
2.2 3.4 4.9 5.9 (39)
GOALS - Geelong: Dangerfield 4, Menzel 2, Duncan 2, Menagola 2, Blicavs, Stanley, Motlop, Hawkins, Smith.
Sydney: Mills, McVeigh, Jack, Reid, Papley.
BEST - Geelong: Dangerfield, Duncan, Menegola, Taylor, Henderson, Motlop, Smith.
Sydney: McVeigh, Jack, Hannebery.
INJURIES: Geelong: Lonergan (illness) replaced in selected team by Stanley, Stewart (hamstring).
UMPIRES: Meredith, Nicholls, Rosebury.
CROWD: 55,529 at MCG.
When news of Tom Lonergan's late withdrawal broke, the faith of even the most ardent of Geelong fans would have been stretched to breaking point. What happened in the next few hours was for the true believers.
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Tom Stewart's amazing tackle
Geelong Cats showed just what finals footy meant to them, in particular with Tom Stewart and his potential game-changing tackle in the second quarter.
In a season of upsets, the Cats caused one of the biggest shocks of the year, defying the odds, recent form and a red-and-white hoodoo to dump Sydney out of the finals in unceremonious fashion.
Jarrad McVeigh's 300th game turned into a nightmare after what many expected to be a procession for the Swans turned into a banner night for Geelong, who now head to Adelaide with confidence restored after a comprehensive 59-point victory.
This was one of coach Chris Scott's finest nights. Almost every plan he hatched came to fruition. Patrick Dangerfield in attack - tick. Harry Taylor into defence on Lance Franklin - tick. Backing his lesser lights against Sydney's star-studded midfield - tick.
On the week Dustin Martin was voted the best player in the league by his peers, Dangerfield gave the competition a reminder he remains a finals force. Playing deep in attack, the reigning Brownlow Medallist was too slick for Dane Rampe, finishing with four goals. Adelaide coach Don Pyke has plenty to think about.
Dangerfield's performance was the cherry on top, impossible if not for the Cats' domination up the ground.
While there was a massive resemblance to Hawthorn's keepings-off style, they also beat Sydney at their own game. They smashed the so-called kings of finals football for contested possessions and pressured them into submission.
Tom Stewart personified their intensity with an inspiring passage of play where he quelled Franklin inside 50, followed up on the wing before laying a crunching tackle on Luke Parker. He did get a stat for himself but as far as statements go it was emphatic.
Breaking point came not long after half-time when the margin blew out to 50 points. Adding merit to the Cats' win, captain Joel Selwood was a mere bit player. The impetus was provided by Mitch Duncan and Sam Menegola.
Their defence, despite Lonergan's absence, was close to impenetrable. Taylor blanketed Franklin, who had a forgettable night.
The Swans midfield lacked its usual bite. Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker both had quiet nights and there were not enough who were able to fill the void.
So desperate was John Longmire, he threw Callum Mills into the middle in the second half though it was merely shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic.
Fifteen minutes into last year's preliminary final, the Swans led 32-0 and the game was all but over. This time the Cats were playing the game on their terms.
They matched the Swans inside and when they won the ball they were able to hold on to it in the manner not dissimilar to the plan Hawthorn have executed with so much success.
Dangerfield, playing out of the goal square in a shock move, was proving a headache. He kicked Geelong's first two goals and provided enough of a distraction to set up their third.
The warning signs for the Swans in the first soon became distress calls. The Cats were playing with the intensity Richmond showed a week earlier and their opponents were playing like it was round six.
Not only could the Swans not get their hands on the ball, they were unable to stick enough tackles. The price was paid down the line as Geelong's forwards feasted.
They were menacing in the air and even more threatening at ground level, slicing through Sydney's uncharacteristically disorganised defence.
The Swans enjoyed their best phase of the game early in the third term but managed just four behinds only for Motlop to goal at the other end from the Cats' next opportunity.