Geelong coach Chris Scott singled out Tom Atkins for praise after the match, describing the tough midfielder as the best player on the ground and showering him in plaudits following the gritty come-from-behind win.

Scott was quizzed on the performances of star duo Bailey Smith (35 disposals, one goal) and Max Holmes (32 disposals, one goal), but said their influence wasn't as significant as Atkins' during the 19-point victory.

"I don't normally do this," Scott told reporters afterwards. "We really liked Bailey and Max was really good as well, but they weren't as good as Tom Atkins. That was a really special game.

"He was special when the heat was on and we were being outplayed. We thought he was the one that stood up. I only say it because the high-profile guys always get the plaudits. I'm not sure that's appropriate in this situation."

Atkins finished with 23 disposals, nine clearances and eight score involvements in Geelong's victory, proving particularly influential when Geelong found itself 30 points behind midway through the first half.

"He's been a really important player for us for a long time," Scott said.

"He'll be embarrassed that I said this, because he doesn't want the external credit. He's that sort of guy. Sometimes, you have a player that breaks through. He broke through a long time ago, in terms of what we do. He's just not as flamboyant as some of the others."

Geelong secured the tough road victory despite Oisin Mullin being forced from the field with a knee injury, and with small forward Tyson Stengle struggling with cramp in his hamstring in the dying stages of the match.

Tom Stewart was also ruled out with illness before the game, adding to the side's defensive injury issues with Jack Henry (hamstring) and Jake Kolodjashnij (groin) also sidelined.

The Cats still made the decision to withdraw Stewart on the eve of the contest – leaving Sam De Koning, Mark Blicavs and Connor O'Sullivan to fill the defensive void – with Scott saying the five-time All-Australian simply wasn't fit to play.

"The more we think about these things, I reckon it was one of those days where he probably would've played in the bad old days 20 years ago where you just never miss when you're crook," Scott said.

"He would've been horrible and it would have compromised him as well. That was the same with Mark Blicavs (last week) as well. If you pressed him, he would say he didn't think he could play. But we were proactive with that call, it's fair to say."