Tom Hawkins has moved to equal second in the race for Gary Ayres Award for best finals player after receiving maximum votes for his performance against the Giants.

Hawkins was superb in Geelong’s 35-point victory against Greater Western Sydney on Friday night with a match winning five goals.

His dominant display saw coaches’ Chris Scott and Leon Cameron award him with 10 votes.

Irishman Zach Tuohy made an immediate impact in his first game back from a hamstring injury receiving eight votes after an influential performance across half back and on a wing for the Cats.

The 31-year-old was Geelong’s leading disposal winner with 31 and had a game-high four goal assists.

Fellow defender Jack Henry made it back-to-back games in the coaches' votes after another strong contribution with a game-high five intercept marks.

Rhys Stanley and Sam Menegola received two votes each.

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Player Spotlight: Stanley

Rhys Stanley had a standout performance in the ruck in our Semi Final win against GWS with 35 hit outs and 19 disposals.

Stanley was too good for Giant Shane Mumford in the ruck, dominating their matchup giving Geelong’s onballers first use, and took advantage of his athleticism getting back to take a couple of important intercept marks and had great influence at stoppages.

Menegola was Geelong’s leading midfielder with 29 disposals, five clearances and two goals.

Cameron Guthrie (one vote) rounded out the vote getters for the Cats after having 25 disposals and 10 clearances.

Geelong will play Melbourne in the first preliminary final at Optus Stadium on Friday night. The match will be televised on Channel Seven with the first bounce at 7.50pm AEST.

Geelong v GWS Giants

10 Tom Hawkins (GEEL)
8 Zach Tuohy (GEEL)
4 Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
3 Jack Henry (GEEL)
2 Sam Menegola (GEEL)
2 Rhys Stanley (GEEL)
1 Cameron Guthrie (GEEL)

Leaderboard

16 Jack Macrae WB
10 Tom Hawkins GEEL
10 Isaac Heeney SYD
10 Clayton Oliver MELB
9 Travis Boak PORT
8 Tom Liberatore WB
8 Bailey Smith WB
8 Zach Tuohy GEEL
7 Marcus Bontempelli WB
7 Christian Petracca MELB
7 Ollie Wines PORT
6 Aliir Aliir PORT
6 Josh Kelly GWS
6 Luke Parker SYD
5 Charlie Cameron BL
5 Jack Henry GEEL
5 Hugh McCluggage BL
5 Cody Weightman WB
4 Lachie Neale BL
4 Darcy Parish ESS
4 Harry Perryman GWS
4 Lachie Whitfield GWS