Brilliant Geelong midfielder Gary Ablett led his team to a 42-point AFL win over Sydney on Saturday at Skilled Stadium.

Ablett had 35 possessions and kicked three goals in the last term as the Cats won 16.18 (114) to 10.12 (72).

The Swans used their renowned workrate to shut down the Cats and trailed by only three points early in the last term.

But Ablett kicked two goals and Steve Johnson then put through his fourth.

Goals to Luke Ablett and Jarred Moore brought the Swans back to within two straight kicks, before a handball from Gary Ablett set up Josh Hunt for the goal that broke Sydney's back.

Ablett capped off his outstanding afternoon with another goal in time-on as the Cats broke clear.

Sydney were missing key players Barry Hall and Tadhg Kennelly and recovered from a poor start to pile the pressure on the home team.

As they do so often and so well, the Swans transformed early trouble into an arm-wrestle of a game.

Geelong looked well in control when they led by five goals at quarter-time.

But the Swans were winning the centre clearances and were able to close down the match through the second quarter.

Sydney kicked five goals to one in the second term to trail by only seven points at the main break.

The Cats had plenty of chances to put the pressure on Sydney early in the third term, but they kicked five behinds.

Sydney then hit back with a goal to Paul Bevan and soon after they trailed by four points.

The ball was then in the midfield when Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel received a free, deep in Geelong's attack.

It was unclear why he received the free, but Bartel kicked the goal to slightly ease the pressure on Geelong.

His goal came at 26 minutes and it was the Cats' first major since 12 minutes in the second term.

This is the first match of Hall's seven-game suspension after he floored West Coast opponent Brent Staker last Saturday night at ANZ Stadium.

Kennelly was a late withdrawal from the match with a hamstring problem and Luke Brennan took his place in the team.

Key defender Leo Barry and ruckman Darren Jolly were best for the Swans.

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