DT: 34
SC: 44
3 JIMMY BARTEL started the match inside attacking 50 playing as a mid-sized target, taking three marks within the forward arc. As he has done in similar situations throughout the year, Bartel moved into the midfield when Carlton gained control of the match. The move was effective and he finished with 18 disposals and a goal.
DT: 80
SC: 80
4 ANDREW MACKIE was an uncertain starter after receiving a heavy blow to the torso from Swan Ben McGlyn last week. He showed no lasting effects from the incident, collecting 17 disposals from the half back flank. Mackie made four tackles, took four marks and pushed forward to kick an excellent goal tight against the boundary in the final term.
DT: 80
SC: 82
7 HARRY TAYLOR played on Lachie Henderson and kept the versatile young Blue goalless. Taylor was dominant in the air, taking six marks and making a game-high 11 spoils. He attacked whenever possible, rebounding three times with his 14 possessions.
DT: 64
SC: 79
9 JAMES KELLY spent much of the game in midfield, accumulating 27 touches. He has played a role in Geelong’s back six through much of the season and rotated regularly between the centre and defence. Kelly won two clearances and kicked the Cats inside 50 on six occasions.
DT: 86
SC: 78
12 JESSE STRINGER wore the green substitute’s vest for the first three quarters before he was activated for Jed Bews at the final change. Stringer made an immediate impact with his foot speed and attacking intent, collecting seven disposals.
DT: 27
SC: 46
13 TOM LONERGAN is the Cats’ best negating defender and was sorely missed last week against Sydney. He proved to be a very valuable addition, dominating Jarrad Waite and holding him goalless. Lonergan had seven disposals, took three marks and pushed forward to provide one goal assist.
DT: 39
SC: 31
14 JOEL SELWOOD took a brilliant mark running back with the flight into a pack of three players in the second term. This moment of bravery was a single highlight in a relatively quiet first half. Selwood worked his way into the game by winning contested ball, contributing a game-high 10 clearances. He finished the match with 18 touches and kicked the match winning goal with his final disposal.
DT: 79
SC: 122
17 HAMISH McINTOSH took on the rucking duties without the support of Dawson Simpson. He struggled in the air against Robbie Warnock, winning 26 hit-outs, but was far more effective once the ball went to the ground. In addition to his 12 possessions, McIntosh made five tackles and won six clearances.
DT: 77
SC: 81
20 STEVE JOHNSON started the game slowly and struggled to get his hands on the ball early in the match. He became more involved in the play by imposing himself physically, leading the Cats with seven tackles. Johnson won more than half of his 19 disposals in a contest and contributed four clearances.
DT: 77
SC: 84
21 JORDAN MURDOCH gathered 11 possessions playing in the forward pocket. He scored Geelong’s first goal of the second half, kicking the ball out of mid-air. Murdoch added a second goal in the final term, using his pace to break clear of his opponent and kicking a composed drop punt goal.
DT: 57
SC: 58
22 MITCH DUNCAN has been a consistent ball winner this season but was below his best on Friday night. Given more attention by the opposition, Duncan found it difficult to find free space and collected 16 disposals. He took two marks, made two spoils and won two clearances.
DT: 52
SC: 52
24 JED BEWS gave another strong performance in just his fourth AFL match. Playing on the half back flank, Bews was committed to his defensive duties and made the most of his seven possessions, disposing with 85.7% efficiency. In order to enhance Geelong’s running capacity, Bews was substituted for Jesse Stringer at three quarter time.
DT: 19
SC: 19
25 JARED RIVERS battled admirably against Kurt Tippet last week and enjoyed match-ups on opponents far closer to his own size on Friday night. He took four marks and rebounded twice from defence. He also provided three inside 50s with his 17 possessions.
DT: 73
SC: 87
26 TOM HAWKINS was too big and too strong for opponent Sam Rowe, a relatively new addition to Carlton’s defence. Hawkins was the prime target in Geelong’s forward line, taking six of his game-high 10 marks inside attacking 50. He was effective with 14 of his 17 disposals and was supremely accurate in front of goal. Hawkins kicked four goals straight, all in the second quarter, and set up three more during the match.
DT: 101
SC: 127
27 MATHEW STOKES was one of Geelong’s best, contributing in the midfield and as a forward. He collected 22 touches and won five clearances, but was most impressive close to goal. Stokes kicked three goals for the game and also provided three goals assists. He copped a heavy knock running back with the flight during the final term but should be fit to play St. Kilda next week.
DT: 101
SC: 134
29 CAMERON GUTHRIE played a defensive midfield role on Carlton captain Marc Murphy at different stages of the game while still winning plenty of the ball himself. He gathered 23 possessions, winning five clearances and sending the Cats inside 50 on three occasions. Guthrie snatched the ball from the hands of an opponent in a marking contest in the first quarter but could not capitalise in front of goal.
DT: 85
SC: 103
32 STEVEN MOTLOP is growing in confidence and consistency with every game he plays. The creative young Cat had just 15 possessions but caused headaches for Carlton with his foot speed and clean disposal. Motlop received a handball from Mathew Stokes in the second term and kicked a long, lofted check-side snap for goal.
DT: 72
SC: 61
33 GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH delivered another strong performance, collecting 22 possessions in midfield. He crumbed a pack deep in the pocket during the first term and assessed his options before snapping a brilliant goal tight against the boundary. His second goal was from an easier position but was just as impressive, drawing the Cats to within one point of Carlton late in the last quarter.
DT: 94
SC: 107
34 JOSH WALKER provided good support for Tom Hawkins as the second tall forward in just his second game for the year. He gathered nine disposals and took two marks, but put himself in a position to compete for many more and regularly brought the ball to ground. Following a poor centre bounce that favoured the Cats, Tom Hawkins was infringed as the clearance sailed over his head and fellto Walker who could not have been given greater advantage by the umpires unless they kicked the goal for him.
DT: 35
SC: 42
44 COREY ENRIGHT was in vintage form on Friday night and showed no lingering effects from the ankle injury that forced him to miss the match against Sydney. He was dominant early in the game, leading the disposal tally with eight at quarter time. He was less influential as the match progressed, but still contributed a game-high seven rebound 50s with his 19 disposals.
DT: 58
SC: 63
46 MARK BLICAVS played as a roaming utility and back-up ruckman after holding a key defensive post last week. He was comfortable and confident in his familiar role on Friday night, collecting twelve disposals with 91.7% efficiency. Blicavs took five marks, made five tackles and won 11 hit-outs.
DT: 72
SC: 72
