3 JIMMY BARTEL was one of Geelong’s better players, collecting 24 disposals predominantly as a half forward. He sent the Cats inside attacking 50 six times and kicked a goal in the final term that had no effect on the outcome but was just rewards for a solid performance.
DT: 99
SC: 81

5 TRAVIS VARCOE started inside the centre square at the opening bounce and won the first centre clearance of the match. He has steadily improved over the season and amassed a year-best 21 disposals on Sunday. Varcoe was particularly productive in the first half but was wasteful in front of goal, scoring one behind from three set shots inside 50.
DT: 77
SC: 71

7 HARRY TAYLOR lined up on small forward Robbie Gray in the first quarter, benefiting from the mismatch as the Power bombed the ball into attack early in the game. Taylor collected six possessions, unable to have his usual effect rebounding from defence. He was moved forward after Geelong scored back to back goals in the third term in an effort to maximise their first period with momentum in the second half. Taylor was no more effective on the forward half and failed to contribute to the scoreboard.
DT: 22
SC: 32

9 JAMES KELLY was the Cats most consistent performer on Sunday, gathering 23 touches. He started the match in defence and was largely responsible for keeping Chad Wingard quiet in the first half. Kelly took a spectacular mark leaping over Aaron Young in the second term before he was moved into the midfield, a more familiar role he played for the remainder of the match.
DT: 89
SC: 112

13 TOM LONERGAN took on Power forward Jay Schulz, who was averaging more than three goals per game coming into the contest. Lonergan made an equal game-high seven spoils and restricted Schulz to one goal. He was incredibly reliable with ball in hand, effective with nine of his 11 disposals.
DT: 45
SC: 66

14 JOEL SELWOOD was well held by Port Adelaide games record holder Kane Cornes. The Geelong skipper won six clearances with his 17 possessions and disposed with 94% efficiency. After the Power kicked three quick goals and Selwood had a bleeding wound cleaned up in the third term, he willed himself into the contest but could not change the outcome.
DT: 73
SC: 82

17 HAMISH McINTOSH played his first game as the sole permanent ruck man in a Geelong side, tallying nine disposals and winning 19 hit-outs. His direct opponent Matthew Lobbe plays consistently as a lone ruck man and proved a difficult challenge for McIntosh over four quarters. McIntosh has been a powerful presence in the forward line this season and the Cats struggled without him as a second marking target.
DT: 59
SC: 81

19 TAYLOR HUNT started the match wearing the green substitute’s vest and watched from the bench until the final stages of the third quarter. With three minutes remaining until three quarter time, Hunt was activated for Josh Walker to improve the Cats’ running power. He made four tackles and gathered four possession, all of which were effective.
DT: 30
SC: 21

20 STEVE JOHNSON won four clearances with his eight disposals in the first quarter and capitalised on the Cats’ early dominance with a snap goal from long distance. He was given less freedom after quarter time but continued work hard and amass a total of 25 disposals. In a high pressure, physical contest, Johnson was clean with ball in hand, effective with 80% of his possessions.
DT: 107
SC: 110

21 JORDAN MURDOCH has played every game this season and is growing in confidence on the back of regular selection. He kicked a clutch goal in the final term against Hawthorn but missed opportunities on Sunday, scoring three points for the match. Forward line pressure has been a feature of Geelong’s game style this season and Murdoch has been exemplary in that area, making a career-high eight tackles along with his 14 disposals.
DT: 83
SC: 68

22 MITCH DUNCAN was among Geelong’s leading disposal winners, gathering a total of 27. He sent the ball inside attacking 50 on six occasions but was one of a number of Cats who were inaccurate in front of goal. Duncan did his best work behind centre, running hard to provide support for the Geelong defence and taking majority of his seven marks in the back half.
DT: 101
SC: 86

25 JARED RIVERS continued his run of good form, successfully fulfilling a key defensive role for much of the game. He played on versatile big man Justin Westhoff, keeping him goalless, and held the fort when Harry Taylor was moved forward for the second half. Rivers was effective with 10 of his 11 possessions, providing consistent and reliable rebound out of defence.
DT: 51
SC: 63

26 TOM HAWKINS had taken a mark and a shot at goal before many fans had taken their seats. He struck the post but soon made up for it, shrugging a tackle to snap the Cats’ second goal with his second attempt. After a dominating start, the Power shut down Hawkin’s good service and he was well held through the middle of the match. He had nine touches and towards the end of the game threatened to single handedly spark a comeback, adding two more goals.
DT: 69
SC: 61

27 MATHEW STOKES was the leading possession winner for the Cats, collecting a total of 28 disposals. He won three clearances and spread hard from contests when a team mate won the ball, taking six uncontested marks. Stokes kicked inside 50 on three occasions, restricted from making a greater contribution in the forward half by a powerful Port Adelaide midfield.
DT: 92
SC: 106

29 CAMERON GUTHRIE tallied 19 disposals, used in defence and on ball at different stages in the match. He spent a vast majority of the first half in the centre and won three clearances. After the major break, Guthrie, an emerging midfielder, was traded for the experience of James Kelly and returned to a defensive post. Guthrie competed well in the air, taking five marks, and his pace was important against the plethora of small Power forwards.
DT: 74
SC: 90

31 GEORGE BURBURY started the match in scintillating style, taking two marks in the first five minutes. He was persistent in his role despite Geelong’s lack of precision with forward entries over lengthy periods of the match. Burbury had 10 disposals and made six tackles, delivering the forward pressure that has been so successful for the Cats this season.
DT: 55
SC: 43

33 GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH was the only Cat with previous experience at Adelaide Oval, in his former guise as a promising young cricketer. He delivered a consistent performance on Sunday evening, collecting 20 disposals and wining two clearances. Horlin-Smith played a predominantly defensive midfield role, but was able to score a goal throwing the ball to boot milliseconds before the quarter time siren.
DT: 86
SC: 92

34 JOSH WALKER collected five disposals with 80% efficiency and took four marks. Walker took two of those marks inside attacking 50 and converted both opportunities, the first from a tight angle after intercepting an opponents clearing kick, and his second helping to wrestle back momentum in the third term. Walker was substituted three minutes before three quarter time, replace by Taylor Hunt.
DT: 46
SC: 55

38 JACKSON SHERINGHAM displayed his best football in the first half, providing great run and drive from half back. He took three marks and gathered 12 possessions, most of them before the major break. After half time Sheringham was utilised deeper in defence, where his foot speed was required to restrict Port’s hard running forwards.
DT: 48
SC: 57

40 JACKSON THURLOW made his 2014 debut, replacing injured veteran Andrew Mackie. Thurlow is highly rated at Geelong, who hope he will be a longer term replacement for the dashing defender in years to come. He tallied 10 disposals on Sunday and consistently had the courage to take the game on and utilise his kicking skills to attack from defence.
DT: 50
SC: 43

44 COREY ENRIGHT was below his best but still gave a valuable contribution. Port Adelaide strived to restrict Enright’s rebound and limited him to 11 disposals. He was effective when he did have possession, disposing with 82% efficiency, and pushed up the ground to add one goal assist.
DT: 54
SC: 49

46 MARC BLICAVS gathered 13 disposals and 10 hit-outs playing as the back up ruckman, both season highs. His kicking has improved dramatically and he is now able to attack with his disposal, not just feed running players by hand. Blicavs competed well in the air, taking four marks, and snapped an important goal in the third term to stem the Port Adelaide onslaught.
DT: 54
SC: 71