Sydney brought out the best in Geelong captain Joel Selwood and his fellow teammates.
A week earlier, their poor AFL qualifying final performance against Richmond invited plenty of criticism and scorn.
There was talk the Cats were not hard enough - the worst-possible accusation for an AFL team and particularly for a player of Selwood's courage.
No-one is making that accusation after Friday night's stellar semi-final performance at the MCG in a 10-goal romp by Geelong.
The 15.8 (98) to 5.9 (39) result was the Swans lowest score in 20 years. But Selwood was not going to rub more salt into the wound.
"Sydney are a quality side and we knew what we had to bring," Selwood said.
"It's not a choice thing; it's not an effort thing. Sometimes you just can't get it together.
"Unfortunately we couldn't do it last week and this week, we did it.
"There are no tricks about it."
In his second game back from ankle surgery, Selwood looked better.
He and his fellow midfielders were outstanding, ensuring Patrick Dangerfield's surprise move into attack could last most of the game.
The tactic only worked if the Cats onballers could match it with Sydney's star-studded midfield.
Mark Blicavs blaneketted Sydney captain Josh Kennedy, Zac Smith was mighty in the ruck and Sam Menegola and Mitch Duncan starred.
But Dangerfield said a lot of credit should go to Selwood and his brother Scott.
"Our boys executed inside there, our aggression to pressure was elite - led by the two Selwoods," he said.
"Those two are harder than a cat's head.
"But it wasn't just two - it was Mitch Duncan, it was Sam Menegola, it was Darcy Lang, who came in and played a really critical role, it was Zac Smith in the ruck."
Selwood said he was still trying to regain his touch and speed around the ball, but was feeling better each time he played.
"I've pulled up well - obviously it's been a bit of a journey," he said.
"I'm probably a little bit off at the moment, but I'm confident I still have some good footy in front of me."
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