3 JIMMY BARTEL started the game on the bench in a tactical effort, no doubt, to disrupt the opposition coaches and their planned match ups at the opening bounce. Bartel was quickly brought on and collected 16 disposals playing 93% of game time. Competing in his 24th final, a club record, he played with the composure you would expect from a September veteran, disposing with 75% efficiency and kicking a clutch goal in the third term.
DT: 73
SC: 85

4 ANDREW MACKIE was been one of Geelong's most valuable and consistent performers this season, a contribution recognised by the All-Australian selectors last Monday night. Without fellow All-Australian Corey Enright, Mackie was forced to play a more accountable defensive role against Hawthorn. As a result he was unable push forward, kicking inside 50 just once with his 13 disposals, down on his average of nearly four per game. He competed well in aerial contests, helping to keep Hawthorns three big forwards to just three goals collectively.
DT: 43
SC: 38

5 TRAVIS VARCOE ran with dangerous Hawthorn wingman Isaac Smith early in the match and successfully limited his influence. Freed from the role soon after quarter time, Varcoe had two inside 50s and gathered nine disposals. In the third quarter he opened up space for Motlop to goal with a perfectly executed handball. In the dying moments of the game he had the opportunity to send the match into extra time but was off target with his shot.
DT: 29
SC: 35

7 HARRY TAYLOR, the All-Australian centre half back, played most of the match on Jarryd Roughead, the most prolific forward in the All-Australian team. Taylor had 13 possessions and clearly won the duel, taking five marks while allowing his opponent just one. He also outperformed Roughead at stoppages, winning two clearances. Most importantly, Taylor kept the Coleman medalist goalless and was able to push forward himself to kick a snap goal in the closing minutes of the third quarter.
DT: 59
SC: 86

8 JOSH HUNT tallied seven effective disposals from a total of 10, playing as a small defender. He also took three marks and had one rebound 50 before he was substituted out of the match. On the ground for 45% of the game, Hunt came off for young Cat Josh Caddy midway through the third quarter.
DT: 35
SC: 34

9 JAMES KELLY had a relatively quiet match after leading the Cats' comeback as one of the team's best in the semi final last week. He struggled to get his hands on the ball early and gave away a free kick and 50m penalty trying to physically impose himself on the contest. Kelly had greater influence after half time and tallied 12 disposals for the match. He was strong around the stoppages, winning three clearances and making five tackles.
DT: 50
SC: 51

11 JOEL COREY delivered a physical, but composed performance in what could be his final match for the Cats. The Geelong champion has had to modify is game over the last two years, successfully adopting the role of a defensive utility. On Friday night he had 16 touches, disposing with 81.2% efficiency. He thrived in congested situations, winning two clearances and making a game high seven tackles. If Corey does announce his retirement he will have finished his career with a valuable contribution in a first class contest.
DT: 74
SC: 66

13 TOM LONERGAN is one of the few players in the AFL with a good record against Lance Franklin and he was again given the task of negating the unpredictable Hawthorn forward. Lonergan had six disposals and two marks while Franklin managed just one goal and didn't take a single mark inside forward 50. Franklin played most of the match as a high forward or wingman, testing Lonergan's aerobic capacity. Lonergan ran out the game strongly, despite playing 95% of game time, and took the honours in the duel.
DT: 31
SC: 43

14 JOEL SELWOOD was tagged by Hawk Liam Sheils and kept to just two disposals in the opening term. The Geelong and newly crowned All-Australian skipper never stays down for long, imposing himself on the match with 21 possessions after quarter time. Selwood won four clearances, made four tackles and took four marks. The mark he took in the third term gave him a shot on goal that he successfully converted to give Geelong the lead.
DT: 90
SC: 105

20 STEVE JOHNSON was the most influential player on the ground, leading the Cats with 32 disposals and four goals. He kicked two of those in the opening term; the first a characteristically charismatic torpedo from inside the goal square, and the second less than a minute later from a similar distance. Johnson was both physical and creative around stoppages, making four tackles and winning five clearances. He also showed his elite endurance and willingness to run, taking seven uncontested marks and regularly contributing on the last line of defence.
DT: 150
SC: 177

21 JORDAN MURDOCH was brought into the Geelong side to play just the second final in his short career. He was certainly not overawed by the occasion, collecting 10 touches as a small forward. His defensive pressure inside 50 was excellent, making three tackles, and he was able to help restrict Hawthorn's passing game with good structural awareness and discipline. Murdoch kicked an opportunistic goal with a snap on his opposite foot, putting the Cats 20 points ahead with 10 seconds to play in the third quarter.
DT: 57
SC: 54

22 MITCH DUNCAN had 19 disposals playing through the midfield and on a wing. In the opening minutes of the match he displayed enormous courage when he intercepted a Hawthorn forward entry by jumping in front of a rapidly approaching Jarryd Roughead. He also managed to tackle an opponent to the boundary as he made his way from the field, setting the standard for his team mates with successive acts of bravery. Duncan soon returned to the field to add seven rebound 50s and take four marks, including two crucial grabs inside defensive 50 during the last quarter.
DT: 72
SC: 83

23 JOSH CADDY returned to the Geelong side after missing the semi final through injury. Starting as the substitute, he was activated midway through the third quarter and thrown straight into the centre bounce. Caddy had an immediate impact, winning three centre clearances. He was ferocious in his attack on the contest and composed when in possession. Playing just 33% of the game, he accumulated 12 disposals and kicked the Cats' only goal in the final term.
DT: 48
SC: 49

25 JARED RIVERS proved to be a valuable preseason recruit, helping to fill to void left by Matthew Scarlett and cover the loss of injured star Corey Enright in the preliminary final. Rivers had nine disposals and three rebound 50s against the Hawks. He also took three marks, competing well in the air against Hawthorn's arsenal of big marking targets.
DT: 38
SC: 41

26 TOM HAWKINS gave a valuable contribution despite limited preparation due to a chronic back injury. He appeared to be more mobile than in recent weeks, able to present up the ground and cause headaches for the Hawthorn defence. Hawkins tallied 10 disposals and took four marks for the match. In the second quarter he earned a free with an impressive chase and tackle and kicked a goal minutes later, swinging the momentum Geelong's way after an even start to the quarter.
DT: 46
SC: 54

27 MATHEW STOKES has played the best football of his career in 2013 and carried his good form into the final game of the season. Playing predominantly in the midfield, he won five clearances and collected 21 disposals. He showed great strength and determination by continuing to play after a heavy hit from Hawthorn's Grant Birchall. Stokes has had a greater influence this year on the back of greater endurance and his three rebound 50s and four inside 50s reflect his ability to contribute all over the ground.
DT: 73
SC: 76

28 ALLEN CHRISTENSEN was comfortable in the intense, physical battle that is finals football. Geelong clearances were regularly won after Christensen fed the ball to a team mate from the bottom of a pack. He made four tackles and threw himself into contests with reckless abandon. Christensen was equally influential forward of centre, kicking inside 50 with four of his 16 disposals and scoring a great running goal from 50m out on the verge of quarter time.
DT: 65
SC: 50

29 CAMERON GUTHRIE has announced himself as a star on the rise this September, delivering excellent performances in all three finals. He showed great poise under pressure deep in defence, using his speed and agility to avoid tacklers and give himself time to find a team mate in space. He rebounded defensive 50 three times and tallied 10 disposals with 80% efficiency. Guthrie also displayed courage and confidence in his skill, switching play across the ground or hitting a target in the centre corridor to rapidly turn defence into attack. He also seized an attacking opportunity when further up the ground in the third quarter, taking two running bounces before kicking a goal from 50m out.
DT: 40
SC: 69

30 NATHAN VARDY followed on from his good performance against Port Adelaide, delivering another strong game in Friday night. He had 17 hit outs, which was less than both opposing ruckmen, but rarely conceded a hit out to advantage. Around the ground he competed well, defensively accountable and effective with all but one of his possessions. Vardy was also able to push forward and score a goal in the second quarter, displaying the skill and versatility the make him such an exciting prospect.
DT: 44
SC: 53

31 JAMES PODSIADLY started the game with a wayward kick but quickly regained his confidence and composure. He accumulated eight disposals for the match and took five marks, leading strongly for the ball and launching into packs with great athleticism. Podsiadly showed excellent game awareness in the second term, jumping high to stop a stray shot from crossing the goal line and tapping it back into play. He knocked the ball to Vardy, who converted the opportunity created by his quick thinking and skilful execution.
DT: 43
SC: 45

32 STEVEN MOTLOP played a fantastic game and helped spark Geelong's periods of dominance in the second and third terms. He had 14 possessions with 85.7% effectiveness playing as a half forward and onballer. He was able to break through the Hawthorn zone defence with raw speed and a great ability to change direction at pace. Motlop created opportunities inside attacking 50, contributing three goal assists. He also scored a goal in the first term with a check side kick and a second after half time with a drop punt from an acute angle.
DT: 71
SC: 98

46 MARK BLICAVS played his first AFL game against the Hawks as an unlikely debutante in round one. He then held his spot for most of the season and gave a valuable contribution in the Cats' final match of the year. Blicavs won eight hit outs as the back up ruckman and followed up his tap work to win two centre clearance and one more in general play. He collected eight disposals and sent Geelong inside 50 on three occasions. He was remarkably cool under pressure and played with incredible confidence for a man in his first year of senior football.
DT: 40
SC: 47