Paul Chapman. He might not have racked up the most disposals but he was the most influential player on the field with each of his four goals coming at important times. When he ran down Kane Cornes in the goal square nine minutes into the last term and won a free kick to boot his final goal, the Geelong supporters went spare.
Who fizzled?
It wasn't a good night for the big Geelong forwards with challenging delivery coming at them but James Podsiadly had a game to forget. With Jackson Trengove as an opponent, the J-Pod touched the ball once in the first quarter, twice in the second, once in the third, and then once in the fourth. He took three marks and didn't kick a goal.
The moment
You could throw Chapman's tackle on Cornes in as the most exciting moment but the Cats' decision to resort to tempo footy with just over a minute remaining largely determined the outcome. The Cats had been 23 points clear at the 21-minute mark but goals to Justin Westhoff and Hamish Hartlett suddenly had the Power within 10 points. But the Cats showed their class, slowed things down, and a steadying goal with 16 seconds left to Steven Motlop sealed the deal.
The stat
A commanding five-goal-to-one third quarter gave the Cats a three-quarter time lead of seven points. It was a 30-point turnaround on the half-time margin and came after the Power took 26 minutes to register their first score, which was a goal to Jay Schulz from a dubious free kick against Jared Rivers. The most influential stat of that term was the inside 50 count – at the 18-minute mark, it was 17 to one in favour of the Cats after four of their goals. This was also Geelong's 10th straight win over the Power, a streak that started with the 2007 Grand Final triumph.
The quote
"[The Cats] are grumpy. I reckon we'll know in the first five minutes how dirty they were on themselves for last week." – Cameron Ling, 3AW.
"This man is built for September." James Brayshaw, Triple M, speaking about Paul Chapman after his third quarter goal.
3-2-1
One vote: Joel Corey. It was all about the one percenters with the veteran Cat. Played a terrific game for 21 touches and delivered the ball inside 50 seven times. Kicked one goal and had three scoring assists.
Two votes: Joel Selwood. A terrific captain's game. Just three days after winning the AFLPA's most courageous award, he was off the ground twice in the first half for the blood rule – the first for a split above his eye and the second for a bloody nose. But 27 touches later, including six clearances, five tackles and an important final term goal, the skipper had led his side into the preliminary final against Hawthorn.
Three votes: Paul Chapman. Vintage Chapman – four goals, each one important, and a team-boosting performance after his appearance as the substitute last week against Fremantle. Has to worry about being on report for rough conduct against Robbie Gray but on his game alone will have a strong case to make for another contract.
