GEELONG'S two-game winning streak has come to end at the hands of Sydney after going down to the Swans by two points in a Saturday night thriller at the SCG. 

Tom Papley snapped the match-winning goal with 91 seconds remaining as the Swans prevailed 14.6 (90) to 12.16 (88) on Saturday night.

The hosts trailed for most of the match and looked on track for defeat late in the final quarter, when Luke Dahlhaus put the Cats ahead by 10 points.

But young gun James Rowbottom nailed his set shot then Papley brought a crowd of 29,123 to their feet, ensuring Sydney snapped a two-game losing streak.

00:29

Cameron Launches One From The Goal Square

Jeremy Cameron finished off a nice passage of play by the Cats.

Power forwards Hawkins and Cameron combined for four goals.

Hawkins missed two important set shots in a frantic final quarter, while Cameron was controversially denied a mark in the final seconds that would have given him a chance to put Geelong back in front.

McLean stood up for the Swans in the absence of injured key forwards Lance Franklin and Sam Reid, booting a career-best four goals to build hope of an upset that looked all but impossible at quarter-time.

McLean created all sorts of headaches for Geelong's star-studded defence, clutching contested marks that belied the fact he was a 22-year-old playing his 14th game.

02:20

Selwood Post-Match

Joel Selwood speaks after the round seven loss to Sydney. Presented by Ford

The Cats, fresh from steamrolling West Coast by 97 points, kicked six goals in the opening term to post the highest quarter-time score achieved by any side this season.

The besieged hosts rallied in the second quarter, trimming the visitors' advantage from 29 points to six points thanks to returning ruckman Tom Hickey plus Jake Lloyd and Oliver Florent.

There were seven lead changes throughout a topsy-turvy second half, yet the youth-fuelled Swans pulled ahead when it mattered most.

00:46

Duncan Finishes With A Goal

The Cats work it forward and Mitch Duncan finishes with an uncontested goal

Cats forward Gryan Miers (leg) and Sydney defender Lewis Melican (hamstring) suffered injuries, while Swans co-captain Luke Parker was reported for rough conduct after a clumsy collision with Brad Close.

The visitors were left to curse their inaccurate goal-kicking and the remarkable conversion rate of Sydney, who lost the inside-50 count 65-39.

Should Jezza have been paid a mark at the death?

Geelong thought it would have one final chance to win the match when Jeremy Cameron marked the ball in the pocket. But the umpire deemed the ball hadn't travelled the required 15m from Brad Close's boot. From the resulting boundary throw-in, Joel Selwood wrapped up James Rowbottom in a tackle, but the Swan was saved from a potential holding the ball free kick by the final siren.

Parker on report for rough conduct

Luke Parker was one of Sydney’s best on the night but he’ll be sweating on the outcome of a report for rough conduct in the second term. Brad Close was on the ground after ducking one Sydney tackle, when Parker approached sliding on his knees at speed as he went to tackle but caught the Cat on top of his head. In Parker’s favour is that Close was able to get up and play out the match. It’s the sort of incident that probably would’ve cost the Swans co-captain only a free kick when he started his career in 2011, but with the increased focus on protecting the players’ head the cost could now hit his pocket too. 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Joel Selwood of the Cats handpasses the ball during the round seven AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Geelong Cats at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 01, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Selwood tackles his way to another title

Joel Selwood is one of the most decorated players in the game as a three-time Premiership winner, six-time All-Australian, three-time Carji Greeves medallist and nine-year Geelong skipper. He’s now added another title to the long list of accolades, as the player with the most recorded tackles in the history of the game. Selwood wrapped up seven tackles against Sydney, to take his career tally to 1633 and pass former West Coast star Matt Priddis’s total. Selwood has averaged more than five tackles in his 317 games, and while the new record won’t be his crowning achievement it’s another reminder of the ferocious and fearless way that he plays the game.

Round 7 Showreel

  • 00:55

    Henry The Utility Player

    Jack Henry has continued his great form on the weekend playing down back and in the ruck.

    AFL
  • 05:17

    Cats Goals (R7)

    Rewatch every Cats goal from our round 7 match against Sydney. Presented by The Gordon.

    AFL
  • 08:12

    Scott Post-Match

    Watch Geelong's press conference after round seven's match against Sydney

    AFL
  • 07:27

    Highlights: Round 7

    The Swans and Cats clash in round seven

    AFL
  • 05:11

    Last Two Mins: Round 7

    Watch the closing moments between Geelong and Sydney

    AFL
  • 02:20

    Selwood Post-Match

    Joel Selwood speaks after the round seven loss to Sydney. Presented by Ford

    AFL
  • 00:29

    Cameron Launches One From The Goal Square

    Jeremy Cameron finished off a nice passage of play by the Cats.

    AFL
  • 00:46

    Duncan Finishes With A Goal

    The Cats work it forward and Mitch Duncan finishes with an uncontested goal

    AFL

SYDNEY           2.1       7.2       10.6      14.6 (90)
GEELONG        6.5       7.8       10.10    12.16 (88)

GOALS
Sydney: McLean 4, Florent 2, Papley 2, Warner, Gulden, Stephens, McInerney, Hickey, Rowbottom
Geelong: Cameron 3, Rohan 2, Close 2, Miers, Menegola, Duncan, Hawkins, Dahlhaus,

BEST
Sydney: Mills, McLean, Florent, Rowbottom, Kennedy, Hickey
Geelong: Guthrie, Selwood, Duncan, Stewart, Cameron, Henry

INJURIES
Sydney: Melican (hamstring)
Geelong: Miers (lower leg)

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Ryan Clarke (replaced Melican)
Geelong: Zach Guthrie (replaced Miers)

Crowd: 29,123 at the SCG