The Cats young talent has been on full display throughout the 2024 season, but the next generation shone even brighter on the big stage against Port Adelaide.

Seven Geelong players made their AFL Finals debut on Thursday night, with each of them having a significant impact in the Cats big win.

Take a look at the performance from each of the seven Finals debutants.

Shaun Mannagh

23 disposals, 13 score involvements, three goals

Mannagh took his opportunity with both hands in the back half of the home and away season, but the silky small forward took his game to new heights in the Qualifying Final.

Spending time around stoppages then charging back towards goal, Port Adelaide had no answer for Mannagh as he recorded 13 score involvements, booted three goals of his own and dished off another three goal assists.

No stranger to performing well in big games, Mannagh was certainly among the Cats best on Thursday night.

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Double Mannagh magic as Cats continue to run wild

Shaun Mannagh piles on more pain for the Power with a pair of sizzling goals in the third term

Jack Bowes

18 disposals, four clearances, two goals

It took eight seasons for Bowes to make his AFL Finals debut, but the versatile Cat rose to occasion and had a prolific impact in Thursday night’s clash.

Bowes collected 18 disposals and took seven marks against the Power, generating plenty of the Cats ball movement with 449 metres gained on the night.

Perhaps most importantly was the two goals Bowes kicked when the game was in the balance, capping off a brilliant night in his first Finals game.

Lawson Humphries

20 disposals, 486 metres gained, 80% disposal efficiency

Humphries has shown an abundance of poise and class across his 10 games so far, with his incredible skill set perfectly withstanding the pressure of an AFL Finals match.

The classy defender was sensational in the opening half, collecting 11 possessions and remarkably going at 100% disposal efficiency to set up plenty of the Cats attacking forays.

Humphries finished the night with 20 disposals in his Finals debut, gaining 486 metres off half back and picking off five intercept possessions in a stellar display.

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Ollie Dempsey

15 disposals, six marks, eight score involvements

Those inside the four walls at the Club provide continual reminders that Ollie Dempsey will take mark of the year one day, the Rising Star certainly delivering as he soared high into the night sky to take a spectacular grab on Thursday.

Dempsey continues to be a threat on the wing and always holds his opponent accountable, taking six marks and recording eight score involvements against the Power.

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Rising Star living up to name with smooth speccy

Ollie Dempsey marks his recent accolade with a quality high-flying grab in the second term

Shannon Neale

Nine disposals, nine marks, two goals

Taking nine marks in your first Final is no mean feat, but Shannon Neale looked dangerous every time the ball was in his vicinity on Thursday night. 

Neale booted two goals and kept Port Adelaide's key defenders busy all game, continually bringing the footy to ground to create plenty of opportunities for the Cats small forward brigade. 

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Oisin Mullin

Nine disposals, three score involvements, three intercept possessions

Coming in as a late change for your first Final in a hostile environment is a daunting task, but Oisin Mullin rose to the challenge in a brilliant defensive performance against the Power. 

While most of his work did not show up on the stats sheet, Mullin played an influential role in nullifying some of Port Adelaide's key players throughout the night and was rarely beaten in a contest. 

Ollie Henry

12 disposals, seven score involvements, one goal

Competed strongly in the air all night, Henry played an important role down forward as the Cats ran rampant against the Power. 

The high flying forward picked up 12 disposals and recorded seven score involvements, but similar to Neale was often instrumental in bringing the ball to ground in contested situations.