3 JIMMY BARTEL started the match inside the centre square, part of a comprehensive positional shake-up by the Geelong coaches. The impact of this move was immediate with Bartel dominating the midfield and amassing 32 disposals. He won 14 of his touches in a contest, setting a high standard for the rest of the team to match. Bartel was equally influential forward, where he has played for much of the season, kicking the first two goals of the final term.
DT: 155
SC: 157

4 ANDREW MACKIE was outstanding across half-back, leading the Cats with four rebound 50s. His intercept work was excellent, taking nine marks while remaining defensively accountable after the early loss of Tom Lonergan. Mackie tallied 27 disposals for the match and ran out the game without any apparent symptoms from his prolonged hamstring complaint.
DT: 115
SC: 100

5 TRAVIS VARCOE worked his way into the match to finish with 19 possessions. He played on the wing early in the game, where he won two clearances. Varcoe disposed with 84.2% efficiency and his speed was an asset through the middle of the ground and, later in the match to counter North Melbourne’s quick small forwards.
DT: 71
SC: 72

7 HARRY TAYLOR was back to his very best after a disappointing outing against the Dockers. He dominated Drew Petrie, who kicked three goals but had very little influence on the match. Taylor provided the rapid rebound that elevates him above most key defenders, collecting 13 disposals with 84.6% efficiency.
DT: 48
SC: 57

9 JAMES KELLY was inside the centre square for the opening bounce and successfully rectified the team’s poor contested performance last week. He was the most influential player on the ground in the first half and had a tally of 23 touches before the long break. Kelly played a sweeper role in defence after half time, finishing the match with 33 disposals and a game-high 10 marks.
DT: 131
SC: 104

12 JESSE STRINGER made his first senior appearance for the season, ditching the number 41 to don that of former teammate Trent West. Stringer got into the action early, snapping a classy check-side goal 20 minutes into the first term. He gathered 11 disposals for the game and his foot speed contributed to Geelong’s midfield dominance, particularly in the opening half.
DT: 61
SC: 69

13 TOM LONERGAN played just 23% of game time after successive head knocks in the first quarter forced him from the field. As part of a widespread restructuring of the team, Lonergan was given a brief stint in the forward line in the first term. He took two marks and collected four possessions before he was substituted at quarter time with concussion.
DT: 13
SC: 14

14 JOEL SELWOOD started the game inside attacking 50 and stayed forward for the first 15 minutes of the match. The move paid off as Selwood kicked the Cats’ opening goal and almost snared a second soon after with a set shot banana. Upon returning to the midfield he continued the early dominance established by Geelong’s elder statesmen, finishing the match with six marks, six spoils and 26 disposals.
DT: 96
SC: 113

16 DAWSON SIMPSON found himself in an unusual position early in the match, roving the feet of forward target Joel Selwood. Simpson crumbed the ball cleanly but was less impressive with his disposal, spraying the shot wide. In the more familiar role of primary ruckman, Simpson amassed seven possessions and lead the Cats with 21 hit-outs.
DT: 43
SC: 44

17 HAMISH McINTOSH came up against his former club for the first time on Friday night and collecting 16 touches in a number of roles. He won seven hit-outs in support of Dawson Simpson and provided a strong marking target when playing in the forward line. McIntosh was most impressive defensively, especially when North Melbourne mounted a strong comeback in the final quarter. He made seven tackles for the match and won crucial contests late in the game, deep inside defensive 50.
DT: 92
SC: 95

21 JORDAN MURDOCH kickstarted a run of four Geelong goals in the space of 10 minutes in the opening quarter, hitting a pack at pace and snapping across his body. He added a second goal less than a minute into the second term, converting a set shot from the pocket that did not favour the left footed forward. Murdoch collected 14 touches in addition to his contribution on the scoreboard.
DT: 71
SC: 89

22 MITCH DUNCAN collected 19 possessions playing in the midfield and was gifted a goal when captain Joel Selwood allowed a pass to bounce through to him unopposed inside 50. Duncan earned his second goal, kicking straight from a set shot after running back with the flight of the ball to take a strong contested mark. Duncan is equal leader for total marks this year and he took another six on Friday night.
DT: 86
SC: 95

24 JED BEWS tallied eight touches playing in the back line and was effective with every disposal. Playing in his second AFL game, it was the first win for the young Cat, who delivered another strong performance following an impressive debut. Bews was composed when competing on the last line of defence and took four marks for the match.
DT: 38
SC: 40

25 JARED RIVERS gathered 14 disposals from half back playing the Geelong way, consistently linking up play to run the ball out of defence through the middle of the ground. Rivers helped to minimise the impact of Tom Lonergan’s substitution at quarter time, taking three marks, all contested, and making a game-high eight spoils.
DT: 38
SC: 73

26 TOM HAWKINS was back to his very best, dominating every opponent North Melbourne sent to him. Hawkins never strayed far from goal which kept the Kangaroo defence under constant pressure. He took six of his seven marks inside 50 and won a total of 12 contested possessions inside the attacking arc. The big Cat kicked a game-high four goals and unselfishly set up three more.
DT: 100
SC: 139

27 MATHEW STOKES missed the loss to Fremantle through suspension and was keen to make up for his unnecessary absence. Now a genuine onballer, Stokes amassed 28 possessions and won four clearances, an equal best for the Cats. With fast hands he helped to establish the rapid ball movement that has been so successful for Geelong in recent seasons. His foot skills were just as impressive, penetrating the forward 50 five times and executing with 85.7% efficiency.
DT: 96
SC: 106

29 CAMERON GUTHRIE started in the midfield without a defensive assignment for the second straight week. His transition into an onballer has been as impressive as it has been rapid, gathering another 22 disposals and winning four clearances against the Kangaroos. Guthrie balanced attack and defence perfectly, providing three goal assists and making a game-high eight tackles.
DT: 90
SC: 112

32 STEVEN MOTLOP collected 21 possessions, tallying more in the first half than he did in the entire match last week. With the suspended Steve Johnson on the sidelines Motlop was required to provide speed and creativity on Friday night, and he certainly delivered. He finished the best play of the night with a long range goal after Geelong ran the ball in numbers out of the back half. He also contributed seven inside 50s and could have had a contender for goal of the year, but was penalised for running too far without bouncing.
DT: 71
SC: 72

33 GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH was one of the few shining lights in Geelong’s loss to Fremantle and he followed up with another strong performance this week. Stoppages are his strength and he won four clearances on Friday night, an equal best contribution for the Cats. After Tom Hawkins beat three opponents to win possession in the second term, Horlin-Smith received the handball and snapped a goal with one of his 21 disposals.
DT: 86
SC: 85

38 JACKSON SHERINGHAM was part of the starting 21 after playing as a substitute in Perth last week. Positioned predominantly at half back, he rebounded defensive 50 three times with his 11 possessions. Sheringham also took three marks and made a career-high five tackles.
DT: 53
SC: 51

44 COREY ENRIGHT was a solid contributor in Geelong’s defence, making five tackles and collecting 19 possessions. Ever reliable in his defensive duties, he was able to punish the opposition for poor entries and effectively rebound on a consistent basis. Enright is starting to make a habit of kicking goals, creeping forward to score a major with a lofted long range snap.
DT: 80
SC: 85

46 MARK BLICAVS has been an asset for Geelong due to his versatility, an attribute that was required and seriously tested on Friday night. Blicavs started the match as the substitute but was activated at quarter time, replacing concussed key defender Tom Lonergan. Blicavs is still inexperienced, particularly as a tall defender, yet he relished the responsibility of the role. He gathered nine disposals and made seven spoils playing as a true key backman for most of the night.
DT: 41
SC: 52