<p>The Swans said they wanted to make life difficult for their finals-bound rivals on the run home… and they certainly kept their word last week.</p> <p>The shock win over Brisbane up at the Gabba threw their season into a mini tailspin.&nbsp;</p> <p>Their shock win over Brisbane at the Gabba threw the Lions’ season into a bit of a tailspin. While it won’t erase the sting of last year’s Grand Final blowout, Sydney will be pretty happy at the thought of derailing another contender’s top-four hopes — especially one that’s handed them their own Grand Final heartbreak not too long ago.</p> <p>Once again, it was the Isaac Heeney show. He delivered another outrageous individual performance to drag the Swans over the line. And while the Lions did rally late to make things interesting, the Swans had done enough to ice the game.</p> <p>Sydney will finish the season as the so-called “best of the rest.” Probably not where last year’s runners-up thought they’d end up, but considering how they were tracking mid-season — and how strong they’ve finished once key players returned — it’s been a decent turnaround.</p> <p>The Cats got the go-ahead win against Essendon last Friday night. Nothing flashy about the performance; it was very much a go in, get the job done, and get out of the game with minimal injuries type job.</p> <p>The biggest downside for the Cats? Jeremy Cameron’s wayward kicking. Nine shots on goal and only four of them sailing through the big sticks… not to mention his teammates not looking for him, leaves the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-extras/to-kick-100-goals-in-the-2025-afl-season-8776241">chase for 100 goals in a season</a> looking a little bit out of reach now. On 79 goals with two home-and-away rounds to play before finals.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats, currently second on the ladder thanks to their superior percentage, can all but lock up a top-two finish here with a win. They sit equal on points with Collingwood and Freo and are only half a game ahead of the Lions. A loss here would put them at risk of falling out of the top four, and if things really go awry, the top eight. But the latter is highly unlikely, considering they play Richmond next week.</p> <p>In a blow for the Swans, they will be without superstar ruck Brodie Grundy for the clash through concussion, opening the door for Peter Ladhams to return.</p> <p>Will Hayward is expected to be back after missing the last couple of games with a calf injury.&nbsp;</p> <p>Justin McInerney is another forced exclusion after picking up a knee injury against the Lions.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats will continue to manage their players ahead of a big finals campaign.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jack Martin was a late scratching for the game against the Bombers and should be back to make the trip to Sydney. Patrick Dangerfield should also be back for the trip, while Jack Henry has been cleared of injury after being subbed out.</p> <p>Plenty of Cats put their hands up for a spot with strong outings at VFL level, but places in the team are increasingly hard to come by this late in the season.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Swans vs Cats prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney vs Geelong Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Sydney Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Lewis Melican, Dane Rampe, Nick Blakey</p> <p>HB: Callum Mills, Tom McCartin, Sam Wicks</p> <p>C: Ollie Florent, Chad Warner, Jake Lloyd</p> <p>HF: James Rowbottom, Jack Buller, James Jordon</p> <p>F: Will Hayward, Hayden McLean, Tom Papley</p> <p>Foll: Peter Ladhams, Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden</p> <p>Int: Harry Cunningham, Angus Sheldrick, Jesse Dattoli, Braeden Campbell, Caiden Cleary</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Geelong Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Tom Stewart, Sam De Koning, Connor O’Sullivan</p> <p>HB: Lawson Humphries, Jack Henry, Zach Guthrie</p> <p>C: Mark Blicavs, Max Holmes, Ollie Dempsey</p> <p>HF: Gryan Miers, Shannon Neale, Shaun Mannagh</p> <p>F: Tyson Stengle, Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield</p> <p>Foll: Rhys Stanley, Tom Atkins, Bailey Smith</p> <p>Int: Mitch Knevitt, Jack Martin, Brad Close, Mark O’Connor, Oisin Mullin</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney vs Geelong Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>This has been an even contest of late, with both teams splitting the head-to-head at two games apiece from the past five. With a draw included in the past five games.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats have held the mantle of the best overall profile in the competition over the last month.. Which is very on brand for Geelong as they tune up for finals.</p> <p>The Swans have left their run too late, but it hasn’t stopped them from becoming the best ball movement team in the competition over the past five weeks (might be something to do with a bloke called Errol being back in the team?) A nod to what would have been.. And what they might do next year.</p> <p>They’ll challenge the Cats here, they’re probably good enough to pinch it, but the Cats will be on here as its the last real test they’ll get before finals.</p> <p>Betting tip: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-swans-v-geelong-cats-9480912">Cats</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Even though the dream might be diminishing for <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-extras/to-kick-100-goals-in-the-2025-afl-season-8776241">Jeremy Cameron to kick 100 goals in a season</a>, as long as the dream remains alive, we’re going to keep backing it in for first goal.</p> <p>You hope the message has actually gone out to his teammates this week to feed him properly.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-swans-v-geelong-cats-9480912">Jeremy Cameron</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Max and Bailey will be Max and Bailey.</p> <p>They’re bound to get some attention, especially during the finals. But clever as the Cats are, there’s always someone else that is going to get under the guard and become a problem.</p> <p>Gryan Miers has spent more time as an inside midfielder over the last few weeks and has started to find a stack of the ball. He’s our pick this week to go massive and lead all comers.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-swans-v-geelong-cats-9480912">Gryan Miers 30 disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Sunday, August 17th, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>3:15 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> SCG, Sydney</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Channel 7, Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>