Jimmy Bartel – 6
Kicked a brilliant banana goal right on the half-time siren and was serviceable throughout. He had 26 disposals and put his head over the ball in familiar style. Unfortunately the ball went over his outstretched fingertips twice in the first half, which resulted in two Sydney Swans' goals. Has a decision to make whether to play on.
Jed Bews – 6
He worked his way into the game after not touching it in the first quarter and tried hard. Unfortunately Tom Papley kicked three goals, which meant he lost his match-up but he did try to counter-attack when all seemed lost and took five marks.
Mark Blicavs – 5
He lacked self-awareness at times, with Ben McGlynn making him look silly at one stage in the third quarter when he crept up on him. He tried his heart out but is most effective without the ball in his hand. He gave away four free kicks.
Josh Caddy – 4
He kicked a snap goal late in the third term but apart from that was quiet. He had just 12 touches and was out of form by the end of the season. Caddy needs to sacrifice his own game more often for teammates.
Josh Cowan – 6
One of Geelong's biggest triers, he started with intent chasing down Josh Kennedy and running back into defence to help out. He laid five tackles and linked up with teammates.
Josh Cowan showed some fight. Picture: AFL Photos
Patrick Dangerfield – 8
Had 14 disposals and three centre clearances in the first quarter, but he had to do too much. Although he tried to ignite the team, he could not do everything. The champion had 39 disposals and 21 contested possessions.
Mitch Duncan – 5
A shocking turnover gifted Gary Rohan a goal early in the second quarter but he was not the team's worst. He actually broke the lines at times and put the ball inside 50 eight times.
Corey Enright – 5
Battled hard in what might be his last game for the Cats. The six-time All-Australian attempted to get his team going by taking some chances but the Sydney Swans' pressure was so strong he could not get into space. Had 26 disposals but, unusually, only two marks as the Sydney Swans cut through them.
Cam Guthrie – 5
Did not have any impact in a disappointing night. He was unable to match the Sydney Swans' ferocity around the ball and had just 20 touches.
Tom Hawkins – 5
He kicked the Cats' first goal, which did not come until the four-minute mark of the second quarter. The big forward was outnumbered most of the time and could not get space to mark. The Cats were over-reliant on him and just bombed the ball long.
Lachie Henderson – 3
It was a horror night for Henderson in his return from a knee operation. He fumbled and turned the ball over up forward before he was moved into defence. He then rolled his left ankle, which added injury to insult. It was a forgettable end to an otherwise strong season for the recruit.
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Jake Kolodjashnij – 4
Part of a defence that was thrashed as the Sydney Swans picked holes in their set-up. However, he tried hard to add an extra number at contests and was clean, but just didn't provide run.
Tom Lonergan – 6
He was one of Geelong's better players but could not contain a ferocious Franklin in the first quarter. After quarter-time he got into good positions, contested in the air and was smart when the ball hit the ground. The veteran remains strong and took four contested marks.
Lincoln McCarthy – 4
He did not register a kick in the first half and then had a sore ankle. McCarthy had little impact and his strong suit, tackling, was non-existent. He laid one tackle and was down on his best.
It wasn't a great outing for Lincoln McCarthy, being tackled here by Dan Hannebery. Picture: AFL Photos
Andrew Mackie – 5
The veteran was off the pace for much of the game and, although his courage and will was strong, he was not able to create any run. He used the ball well when he had it but he could not have an influence.
Sam Menegola – 4
His worst game since a late season debut, he could not get into the game. He had six disposals in the first half and looked shocked at the Sydney Swans' manic pressure. It should be a strong learning experience for Menegola, who ended the game with 17 touches.
Steve Motlop – 4
He copped a massive hit from Franklin when he tried to tackle him just 10 minutes into the game. It shook him up and he had little influence from that point. His night was summed up when he could not make the most of an opportunity to find a teammate inside 50 when in the clear.
Steven Motlop didn't have his best game for the Cats on Friday night. Picture: AFL Photos
Joel Selwood – 8
The champion's reputation was not diminished, as he tried time and again to lift his team after quarter-time. He had close to 40 pressure acts and was able to win the ball in space with his hard running. Along with Dangerfield, he did everything humanly possible to turn the game.
Scott Selwood – 6
He did a reasonable job on Josh Kennedy and was hard at the ball when his turn came. Unfortunately he could not find enough space to provide overlapping run. He will be an asset for the Cats.
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Zac Smith – 3
Smith had a poor finals series and was out of form for about the last six games. He finished with five touches but did not look dangerous nor did he fill a defensive hole.
Rhys Stanley – 3
Did not register a touch in the first quarter and his kick forward to no-one in particular in the third term was almost contemptuous. He kicked a goal early in the last quarter but remains a tease.
Harry Taylor – 6
He did not cope with the Sydney Swans' quick ball movement early as he could not take intercept marks and was fumbling. He then hurt his finger and was moved forward where he kicked two goals. He could not tackle and played injured in the second half.