1. Paul Couch in the 1992 qualifying final against Footscray at the MCG
The dynamic left-footer was just about unstoppable, racking up 35 disposals and kicking a goal as the Cats won a high-scoring game by 61 points. Couch was responsible for many of the passes that allowed Bill Brownless to kick 9.4.
2. Billy Brownless in the 1994 qualifying final against Footscray at the MCG
Brownless booted just two goals in this thrilling encounter with the Bulldogs, but he was the hero of the night. He kicked the winning goal after the siren, which prompted Channel 7 commentator Sandy Roberts to declare, “Billy, you are king of Geelong!”
Bill Brownless relaxes in the MCG rooms with Andrew Wills and Gary Ablett Sr after kicking the winning goal against Footscray in 1994
3. Aaron Lord in the 1994 semi-final against Carlton at Waverley Park
With superstar midfielders Garry Hocking, Mark Bairstow and Paul Couch unable to take their place in the line-up, the Cats went into the game as rank underdogs. But 19-year-old Aaron Lord, who was playing just his second AFL game, turned the contest on its head, racking up 24 disposals and a goal and leading Geelong to a remarkable 33-point win.
Aaron Lord in action in 1994
4. Ken Hinkley in the 1994 preliminary final against North Melbourne at the MCG
In one of the great games of finals footy, Hinkley set up countless attacking forays for the Cats with great rebounding play from half-back. He finished with 26 disposals as Geelong won a thriller by six points thanks to Gary Ablett Sr’s goal after the final siren.
5. Mathew Stokes in the 2007 preliminary final against Collingwood at the MCG
In a game that went down to the wire, the small forward played a crucial role early on, kicking three of the Cats’ first four goals.
6. Steve Johnson in the 2007 Grand Final against Port Adelaide at the MCG
Having started the ’07 season in purgatory, Johnson capped off a remarkable comeback by winning the Norm Smith Medal. He was dominant early, kicking a couple of impressive goals as the Cats stamped their authority on the contest. He ended the match with 23 disposals and four goals.
7. Corey Enright in the 2009 qualifying final against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG
Geelong’s games record holder has been a consistent performer in finals for many years, but his performance against the Dogs back in ’09 is hard to top. Enright finished with 35 disposals and was roundly declared best on ground after leading the Cats to a hard-fought 14-point win.
Corey Enright celebrates after kicking a goal in the qualifying final win over the Dogs in 2009
8. Gary Ablett Jr in the 2009 preliminary final against Collingwood at the MCG
The little champ, who would win the Brownlow Medal just a couple of days later, led the Magpies a merry dance at the MCG on a wet Friday night. He finished with 34 disposals and two goals as the Cats scored a 73-point win.
9. Paul Chapman in the 2009 Grand Final against St Kilda at the MCG
‘Chappy’ was sensational from start to finish, revelling in the rain and the mud to tally 26 disposals and three goals. But it was his left-foot snap that put the Cats six points up in the dying minutes that made him a hero.
10. Jimmy Bartel in the 2011 Grand Final against Collingwood at the MCG
With two premierships and a Brownlow Medal already in the bag, Bartel had little left to prove when he stepped out in the 2011 decider. However, he added to his reputation as a big-game player by producing a masterful performance as the Cats won their third flag in five season. Bartel finished the game with 26 disposals, three goals and the Norm Smith Medal.
