How the Cats rated?
See how each Cat individually performed last Sunday against the Crows
2 BILLIE SMEDTS gathered 11 possessions playing as a small forward, his average disposal output this season. He struggled to have the same impact he had against Melbourne but maintained the defensive pressure his role requires, making five tackles and sending the Cats inside forward 50 on four occasions.
DT: 65
SC: 57
3 JIMMY BARTEL was excellent against the Crows, collecting 21 disposals. His marking was outstanding and provided two highlights of the match, backing bravely into heavy traffic to take a contested grab deep in defence, and taking another contested mark later in the game after the ball was kicked high above his head in the centre of the ground. Bartel also had three inside 50s and three rebound 50s in another impressive performance.
DT: 66
SC: 82
4 ANDREW MACKIE tallied 12 kicks and eight handballs from the half-back line. The Adelaide Crows used a variety of targets when entering their forward line, separating and breaking down the organisation of the Geelong defence. Mackie was able to successfully defend, taking three marks and making four tackles, as well as win possession. He rebounded defensive 50 three times and sent the ball inside forward 50 four times, disposing with 85% efficiency.
DT: 74
SC: 97
5 TRAVIS VARCOE is still working to find form after a long break from football with a shoulder injury. He managed to win four possessions, playing 65% of game time before being substituted for Jordan Murdoch. Late in the second quarter took two bounces and set up a goal from a long run through the middle of the ground, displaying just how dangerous a player he can be when he returns to full fitness.
DT: 20
SC: 25
7 HARRY TAYLOR played an excellent game after confirming during the week that he will remain a Cat for years to come. The Adelaide big forwards were no match in the air for Taylor, who took three of his six marks in a contest. He was also damaging when in possession, rebounding defensive 50 eight times with his twelve disposals. His one foray forward was unsuccessful, unable to convert a set shot in the dying seconds of the match.
DT: 50
SC: 68
8 JOSH HUNT continued his run of strong performances, winning 10 disposals deep in defence. He competed well in marking contests against a number of strong bodied Adelaide forwards who engaged Hunt physically. Aware of how damaging he can be, the Crows tried to limit Hunt’s opportunity to utilise his elite kicking and transition out of defence. Despite the added pressure, Hunt had four rebound 50s and disposed with 70% effectiveness.
DT: 33
SC: 35
9 JAMES KELLY averaged 24 disposals over the previous eight weeks but was unable to have the same influence in the midfield against the Crows. He gathered 14 disposals and won two clearances playing through the centre. Kelly was able to have an impact when we worked forward, kicking Geelong inside 50 three times and scoring two goals. He has lead the Cats in tackles all season and applied immense physical pressure with six against Adelaide.
DT: 78
SC: 60
11 JOEL COREY played one of his best games for the year, leading the Cats with 27 disposals. He played 84% of the game and spent more time through the midfield than he has for much of the season. Corey utilised all his experience and stoppage skills to win eight clearances, more than any other Cat. He heightened his intensity and influence on the contest when Adelaide made there late surge and the game was on the line.
DT: 85
SC: 104
13 TOM LONERGAN had seven disposals playing mostly in defence and was effective with all but one of them. He was exceptional in the air, outmatching his direct opponents and taking five marks. Lonergan took two critical marks deep in defence in the final term when Adelaide were dominating in the midfield and mounting attack after attack. Earlier in the match he pushed forward to receive a chipped pass from Tom Hawkins and score Geelong’s first goal of the third quarter.
DT: 44
SC: 56
14 JOEL SELWOOD was clearly Geelong’s best, kicking three goals and dominating in the midfield to win 14 contested possession from a total of 22. He displayed an intense appetite for physical contests that many team mates struggled to match with any regularity. He took six marks, twice endangering himself to back into oncoming opponents. He lead the Cats with six tackles and won six clearances. After a two goal first quarter, Adelaide captain Nathan van Berlo moved to Selwood, who would not be deterred by the enormous physical harassment he received.
DT: 133
SC: 137
16 DAWSON SIMPSON delivered a comprehensive performance, competing strongly in the ruck and around the ground. He won 33 hit-outs, more than any other player, and followed up his good ruck work to win five clearances. Simpson used his physical strength to impose himself on the match, winning 13 of his 18 possessions in a contest. He took six marks, impressing in aerial battles and taking crucial grabs from long kicks out of defence. Through his strong marking and tap work he was able to have an impact in the forward line, contributing three goal assists.
DT: 101
SC: 148
21 JORDAN MURDOCH was brought onto the field four minutes into the final quarter, substituted for Travis Vacroe. Adelaide had kicked four unanswered goals to be within 10 points of the lead when the substitution was made and Murdoch’s intent and effort was visible from the moment he stepped onto the field. Playing just 16% of game time, he collected two possessions and laid two tackles. He made an impressive 50m chase at the 10 minute mark and was able to pressure the kicker to prevent the Crows from scoring and taking the lead.
DT: 13
SC: 18
22 MITCH DUNCAN started the match slowly but was able to work his way into the contest and finish the game with 24 disposals. He won two clearances, had three inside 50s and rebounded defensive 50 twice. He was one of Cats best players in the final term, attacking every contest to try and break Adelaide’s momentum. He fought and wove his way through heavy traffic in the final quarter to set up a goal that pushed the lead back to eight points and temporarily ceased the Crow’s ascendancy .
DT: 78
SC: 74
23 JOSH CADDY followed up his good performance last week, collecting 18 disposals in another strong game against the Crows. He won two clearances and rebounded defensive 50 twice but was most influential in the forward half of the ground. Caddy lead the Cats with seven inside 50s and kicked a career best 3 goals. He is playing with confidence and looks comfortable in the Geelong side, composed when in possession and effective with his decision making.
DT: 86
SC: 100
26 TOM HAWKINS covered the ground and influenced the contest in a way that has not been seen since the last time he played at AAMI Stadium and kicked six goals against the Power. Ben Rutton started on Hawkins, who exposed the Adelaide defender’s lack of pace by presenting high up the ground. Hawkins marked the ball 10 times, taking three marks inside 50 and three in a contest. He kicked two goals and sacrificed two more by setting up Cats closer to goal. Crow Daniel Talia played on him in the second half and was able to even the contest but Hawkin’s mobility and the intent with which he lead to the ball was very encouraging.
DT: 67
SC: 59
27 MATHEW STOKES sat out of the match against Melbourne last week and struggled to get involved early in the game against Adelaide. He lifted dramatically in the second half and was able to win two centre clearances, an area dominated by the Crows. Stokes finished the match with 20 possessions and a disposal efficiency of 70%.
DT: 68
SC: 70
29 CAMERON GUTHRIE started on in-form Adelaide forward Jason Porplyzia and was rotated through a number of opponents throughout the match. He won 13 disposals in the back line and rebounded defensive 50 on three occasions. Guthrie competed well in the air, taking five marks. Several times during the second half he hunted the ball and burst through traffic, winning crucial contests and clearing the ball from a dangerous area.
DT: 52
SC: 52
31 JAMES PODSIADLY played a different role for the first half, dragging athletic defender Daniel Talia close to goal while Tom Hawkins pushed up the ground. Podsiadly was well held by Talia and struggled to influence the match. He won 10 disposals and was 80% effective when in possession. In the second half Talia was moved to Hawkins and Podsiadly was able to find space more regularly, taking three marks, sending the Cats inside 50 twice and providing one goal assist.
DT: 28
SC: 30
32 STEVEN MOTLOP used his pace effectively, bursting through the Adelaide defence and kicking two goals. Playing forward he gathered 15 disposals, rebounded defensive 50 three times and twice sent Geelong inside 50. The Adelaide defence pushed up the ground to lock the ball in their forward half and on multiple occasions Geelong players kicked long to Motlop when outnumbered by opponents. He was able to take two marks inside 50 and make the most of his opportunities despite Adelaide effectively disrupting the Cat’s forward structure.
DT: 61
SC: 58
41 JESSE STRINGER was initially left out of the Geelong senior side but was a late inclusion for his sixth game of the season. He gathered nine disposals and had four inside 50s playing most of the game in the forward line. Stringer’s defensive pressure in the forward half was good, chasing and harassing and making three tackles. He won two clearances and spent some time at centre stoppages, competing well against the hard bodied Adelaide midfield.
DT: 43
SC: 36
44 COREY ENRIGHT played a solid game in defence, collecting 19 disposals. Enright outplayed his direct opponents and competed well in the air, taking two contested marks from a total of four. He was also damaging with ball in hand, sending the ball inside forward 50 on four occasions and effective when in possession 84% of the time.
DT: 63
SC: 115
46 MARK BLICAVS tallied 11 disposals and competed physically in a way the belies his inexperience and immature body. He won five hit outs in the few brief periods he played in the ruck and scored a vital goal in the final term when the Crows were just two points down. Blicavs took five marks in the most impressive aerial display of his brief career, including a brilliant effort backing into a big pack in the first term.
DT: 67
SC: 75