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THE WRAP UP

From the first bounce it looked like it was going to be a four-quarter battle, but after half time it was all one-way traffic, in Geelong's direction. The Cats were eventual 32-point winners over the Swans 14.11 (95) to 9.9 (63).

The first quarter was played largely in Sydney's half of the ground as their midfielders were clearly on top, but Geelong's defence stood tall. Harry Taylor ($382,000 DEF) earned the mismatch, lining up on Isaac Heeney and although Heeney had an influence early, Taylor was able to intercept and create out of defence. Andrew Mackie ($438,000 DEF) benefited from playing small, kicking the first goal of the game before Geelong had even ventured inside their forward 50.

Sydney took a 13-point lead into the half time break but it was all Geelong after that. The Cats had 17 inside 50s to six in the third quarter but were unable to put the Swans away, kicking just 3.5. Enter Joel Selwood, who in a matter of five minutes at the start of the final quarter had found Tom Hawkins twice inside 50 for two goals that gave Geelong an unassailable 20-point lead.

Josh Caddy ($563,000 MID) put in another strong performance to cap off a really consistent two months. Lewis Jetta ($443,000 FWD/MID) was the Swans best player with 23 disposals, nine tackles, seven inside 50s and two goals, and Josh Kennedy ($574,000 MID) fought a lone hand in the midfield.

Geelong maintains their grasp on the top eight but have a challenging final month of the home and away season.

THE STANDOUTS

Jake Kolodjashnij ($202,000 DEF) has played just the five games for Geelong and isn't known for tallying a big AFL Fantasy score, but he is making his mark on the team for his defensive efforts. Kolodjashnij lined up alongside Adam Goodes and had the better of the duel. He kept Goodes to just 12 disposals and one goal while gathering 15 himself. His AFL Fantasy score of 69 wasn't huge but he is in over 20% of teams and earned his coaches a very handy $29,000 this week.

Another emerging defender Jackson Thurlow  ($309,000 DEF) has been consistent all the year, and the man seen as the heir to Corey Enright grabbed an NAB Rising Star nomination off the back of 18 touches.
While his score of 66 wasn’t overwhelming, Thurlow has made plenty of cash this year and deserved the recognition.

Cameron Guthrie ($436,000 MID) had another week off from tagging duties and boy did he relish the opportunity to hunt the football. He scored 117 AFL Fantasy points, one more than his season-topping score in Round 18. Second only to his skipper, Joel Selwood, in contested possessions for the Cats, Guthrie went to work in third quarter when Geelong turned up the heat inside their forward 50. He made five tackles in the third quarter alone and totaled 11 for the match.

Joel Selwood ($535,000 MID) was the difference in his 200^th game. He has now strung three strong games together since his suspension. The Geelong captain was in the thick of it from the get go. He had a team-high 35 disposals and eight clearances but it was his delivery inside 50 that set up the win for Geelong. Early in the fourth quarter he found Tom Hawkins ($395,000 FWD) twice, who kicked truly to give Geelong the lead they deserved. Selwood finished the game with six inside 50s and three goal assists.

WHO FELL SHORT

Mathew Stokes ($347,000 MID/FWD) has had a torrid run of it of late. He was given the red substitute vest in Round 15 then started in green in Round 16 only to be omitted to play the next two weeks in the VFL. After dominating at that level, Stokes earned himself a senior recall but he didn't do enough to appease his AFL Fantasy coaches. While his effort was clearly there, he looked a step behind the pace and could only manage 14 disposals. Geelong faces a tough opponent next week in traditional rivals Hawthorn who are playing an exciting and quick brand of football. Stokes will need to have a bigger impact on the game if he is to hold his position in the senior team.

Jordan Murdoch ($377,000 FWD/MID) spent most of his time across half-back again. His foray into the midfield a few weeks ago is seemingly on the back burner since the return of Mitch Duncan and Jimmy Bartel. It's no great surprise that in the second half when the game was played predominately in Geelong's forward half, that Murdoch didn't get a great deal of the ball. Geelong coach Chris Scott would no doubt have loved to see Murdoch's pace and tackling pressure in the second half. His AFL Fantasy score of 52 is well below his capabilities.

Nakia Cockatoo ($190,000 MID) had a tough day at the office. Having played in defence in the VFL, he was thrust into the deep end against Sydney. He lined up initially on Brandon Jack, who had 15 disposals and kicked the first goal of the game, but he also found himself one on one in the goal square with young star Isaac Heeney, who easily out-marked Cockatoo. It was a learning curve for the young man who looked lost in defence but will better for the experience. He gathered 10 disposals himself for an AFL Fantasy score of 34 and Cats fans would have loved seeing one of his trademark runs through the center and a great mark in the back half.

FOOTY PROPHET'S FANTASY FIVE

1. Josh Caddy (1^st) went head to head with Josh Kennedy for most of the night and made a real contest of it. An AFL Fantasy score of 134 came off the back of 22 disposals, nine tackles and two goals and suggests he had the better of the dual.

2. James Kelly (9^th) was in the top three possessions getters for Geelong and spent most of his time backward of center, driving Geelong forward. Playing a pivotal role for Geelong through the middle and AFL Fantasy coaches would be happy with 97 points from the veteran.

3. Jimmy Bartel (7^th) had 25 disposals and four rebound 50s as he floated for much of the match, stopping many of Sydney's forward thrusts and controlling the play.

4. Mark Blicavs (6^th) held his own against the bigger bodied Kurt Tippett in the ruck. What he lacked in hitouts, he made up for in disposals, clearances and one-percenters. He finished the match with 99 AFL Fantasy points, just ahead of his average.

5. Joel Selwood (2^nd) was Geelong's most influential player. He was switched on from the get go and lifted when needed. He scored a well-deserved 125 AFL Fantasy points in his 200^th AFL game.

NEXT WEEK

Next week Geelong face traditional rivals Hawthorn in another Saturday night blockbuster, this time at the MCG. Both teams are coming off of a seven-day break, Hawthorn travelling to Perth the week before, and will be fresh and firing. It's almost a new chapter in this rivalry, it's no longer a top of the table clash but there's no doubt it will be just as fierce. With no apparent injuries or reports to come out of either club's Round 19 matches, the coaches face some tough decisions at the selection table before what is likely to be another thrilling encounter.