Geelong battled hard but was unable to improve its recent indifferent record on the road in going down to the Sydney Swans by 22 points at Telstra Stadium on Saturday night - 15.17 (107) to 13.7 (85).
Cameron Mooney and the hard-working James Bartel were the Cats' best, although it was a frustrating night for the team that earlier this month was riding high and premiership favourite.
Brent Prismall had a debut for the Cats he will never forget - but not for all the right reasons - the young midfielder breaking his arm early in the match.
Jude Bolton got his side's first eight minutes in after a 50m penalty while a strong mark to Mooney allowed Charlie Gardiner to put the Cats back in front a minute later.
But Geelong, with Gary Ablett and Paul Chapman looking creative, led by a goal at the first break.
A costly turnover from Scarlett - who was moved off Hall mid-way through the quarter - gave Goodes his first goal, and when Schneider and Craig Bolton booted late goals the Swans led by 20 points at half-time, 7.11 to 5.3.
Hall, who had three goals, and O'Loughlin could have put Geelong away before the last change but missed relatively easy chances, although the home side still led by 24 points at three-quarter time.
The Cats booted two early goals in the last term through Mooney, the Cats' only real tall-marking threat, and Chapman to cut the deficit to just two goals.But Hall booted his fourth to spell the end for Geelong, and two more goals to Schneider and another to Goodes ensured the Sydney siders celebrated their first win on home soil for the year.
SYDNEY: 3.3, 7.11, 11.16, 15.17 (107)
GEELONG: 4.3, 5.3, 9.4, 13.7 (85)
GOALS – Geelong: Mooney 3, Chapman 3, Gardiner 2, Ablett 2, Ling, Rooke, Milburn
BEST – Geelong: Mooney, Bartel, Chapman, Enright
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