Jimmy Bartel – 6
Made a beeline for Josh Gibson before the first bounce and sacrificed his own game to quell the rebounding Hawk defender's influence. Had one of the first clear kicks to set up Steven Motlop's opening goal and played an important role.

Mark Blicavs – 7
Never stopped running and had some important contributions late, including a critical goal in the third term. Can be happy with his effort after 20 touches and 12 hit-outs. 

Josh Caddy – 6
Couldn't get near it before half-time until he willed himself to mark a high ball and slot Geelong's much-needed fifth goal, before calmly ambling to kick a checkside match-winner in the last four minutes. Proof if it's not your game it can be your moment.

Josh Cowan – 5
Heat of September caught him on the hop early, with a fumble on the wing coughing up possession and leading to Hawthorn's first goal. Worked into his first final and was unflinching in the contest. Will be better for the experience. 

Patrick Dangerfield – 8
Just wasn't the champ's night, which seems crazy to say after he racked up 35 disposals and eight clearances. A left-footed torpedo that went out on the full, fumble running into an open goal and helicopter set shot after half-time summed up his game. But the Cats proved they can beat Hawthorn without Dangerfield dominating.

Mitch Duncan – 6
Relatively quiet in terms of possessions (17) but he's harder than a cat's head and will have a vital role to play in the preliminary final. Geelong needs more from him when its stars are down. 

Corey Enright – 8
You can't buy 331 games of experience and the 34-year-old was like a Rock of Gibraltar in his 23rd career final. Just knew when to leave his man – typified by winning a one-on-two at half-back in the opening term – when to spoil and when to throw it on the boot.

Cameron Guthrie – 8
Sent back to defence for another battle with Cyril Rioli. Guthrie had the superstar under wraps early but the weight of inside 50s told and he was caught out with Rioli getting goalside in the second term. Was moved into midfield after half-time and helped will the Cats home, snapping a superb running goal and picking up 14 touches in the second half.

Tom Hawkins – 7
Looked a colossus capable of breaking the game open but was starved of supply. The scent of September has awoken the beast and Hawkins climbed over James Frawley for his first goal and was immovable as he grasped a massive contested mark for his second. Could've kicked a bag with more supply.

Jake Kolodjashnij – 6
Found out about the intensity of finals footy in his first taste of September action and didn't look out of his depth at all. Took an important intercept mark in the third term.

Tom Lonergan – 6
Was given the run around by a wide-roaming Jack Gunston, although the Hawks' leading goalkicker only ended up with two majors. Was perhaps unlucky to be pinged for deliberate out-of-bounds which ended in a miraculous Luke Breust goal before three-quarter time.

Andrew Mackie – 5
Stuck to his task of shutting down Luke Breust, despite the brilliant small forward nabbing three goals and almost leading the Hawks to victory. 

Lincoln McCarthy – 7
Only had 13 touches but almost every one was golden. Attacked the footy fearlessly and snapped two classic opportunist's goals just when the Hawks threatened to break the game open in the third term.

Sam Menegola – 7
When everyone else (except possibly Isaac Smith) looked utterly exhausted in the final term, Menegola kept willing himself to the contest, finishing up with 23 touches in an impressive first final after needing attention for a sore ankle. 

Daniel Menzel – 7
Threatened aerially across half-forward throughout the first half without the supply. Kept plugging away, though, and his courageous mark going back with the flight saw him kick a crucial goal in the third term against the flow.

Steven Motlop – 5
Quiet as a mouse for long periods but bobbed up with two majors, including a set shot in the third term after an excellent one-on-one contested mark against Taylor Duryea. Missed an off-balance soccer attempt from a metre and could've been the villain coughing up the ball trying a miracle shot at goal in dying minutes.

Tom Ruggles – 6
Had some nervous moments around Cyril Rioli, however he wasn't the first and won't be the last in that respect. Worked into his finals debut and never flinched in a contest.

Joel Selwood – 9
Was on track for an all-time finals performance in the first term when he showed everyone the toughness and one-touch football required in September. Got the second-loudest cheer of the night, apart from after the siren, when he won a free kick and 50m penalty against Luke Hodge and kicked the goal. Inspirational.

Scott Selwood – 6
Got under the skin of Sam Mitchell and limited the Hawks champ's influence despite his 30 disposals, while picking up 20 himself and laying seven tackles. Job done.

Zac Smith – 5
Couldn't replicate his round one three-goal performance but gave a contest in the ruck and around the ground in his first final.

Rhys Stanley – 6
Looked right at home in his September debut with some poised ball use and looked threatening with his aerial ability and athleticism. Faded late. 

Harry Taylor – 6
Didn’t have a lot of it but his ability to read the play and spoil is uncanny. Stepped up in the frantic final minutes to find Josh Caddy free in the pocket for the match-winning goal.