Mitch Duncan said he is proud of the way the Cats clawed their way back into the contest, despite not walking away with the four points on Friday night.
The Cats trimmed a 49 point deficit to just six points by the final siren, inspired by some rapid ball movement through the middle of the ground from the likes of Duncan and Max Holmes.
Duncan finished the game with 21 disposals and six marks, while going at a very clean 80% disposal efficiency to be one of the Cats prime movers throughout the night.
The 32 year old spoke to Cats Media postgame and noted that while it wasn’t the result the team wanted, he was proud of the way the group rallied after a disappointing start.
"The first thing that comes to mind, I am proud of the group to be honest,” Duncan said.
“Yeah we didn't start that well, but to be able to continually fight back and to never roll over made me very proud.
Obviously it was a disappointing first quarter but there are plenty of learnings to come from the game.
We just had to play our way, we had to get the game on our terms which we struggled to do early.”
In his 15th season at Geelong, Duncan has shown no signs of slowing down, averaging 21 disposals and six marks per game through his first eight matches.
Joining the Cats in 2010, Duncan has played the majority of his career alongside Tom Hawkins and Joel Selwood, making Friday night's milestone an extra special one for him personally.
Duncan spoke on the profound impact that both players have had not only on him, but on the entire club during their incredible careers.
"Tom Hawkins is massive to this club, as is Joel Selwood,” Duncan said.
“They both guided me through my career unbelievably well, I do get a little emotional talking about them.
I don't really think of them as footy people, I think of them as great mates.
Once footy is finished when we sit down and reflect with them and think about what they have done for this place, I think that's when it will really sink in.
They are just great people and great friends, I'm lucky to have enjoyed the journey with them."
