It was a tough weekend for our AFL and VFL teams, but here are five things we loved about the way they went about their business ...

1. THE CATS' EFFICIENCY UP FORWARD
The Cats had 11 fewer inside-50s than the Hawks, yet they finished the game with just less scoring shot (the Hawks had 26 scoring shots to the Cats' 25.) Geelong also managed to take more marks inside 50 than Hawthorn, with that stat finishing 13-12 in the Cats' favour. Josh Walker was the leader in that regard, taking three marks inside-50. Unfortunately, Walker was among the culprits when Geelong wasted its dominance in the last quarter. He missed two set shots at goal as the Cats won the inside-50 count 18-7 but were outscored by seven points.

WATCH: Chris Scott's post-match press conference

2. STEVIE J'S SECOND QUARTER
Although it was disappointing that the Cats could not post a win for Stevie J in his 250th game, the man himself wound back the clock with some brilliant play. He kicked two great goals (both snaps off his left foot), and he finished the game with an impressive 23 disposals. His second quarter performance was particularly good. During that term he recorded 12 disposals (the most of any player on the ground) and five score involvements. He also gained 122 metres, while the Cats retained possession from 92 per cent of his disposals.

WATCH: Andrew Mackie's post-game interview with CatsTV

3. CAMERON GUTHRIE'S MIDFIELD MAGIC
Just days after putting pen to paper on a new three-year contract, which ties him to the club until the end of the 2018 season, Guthrie showed all his tricks with a tremendous performance in the midfield and up forward. He finished with a team-high 30 disposals and a team-high three goals. After a slowish start to the season, he has been at his dynamic best in recent weeks.

WATCH: Cameron Guthrie's post-game interview with CatsTV

4. GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH'S IMPRESSIVE EFFORT
The man known as 'Horlo' suited up for just his fourth AFL game of the season after being a late addition to the team following the withdrawal of Mitch Duncan with a calf problem. With his jumper tucked in and socks pulled up, Horlin-Smith always looks the part, and he can seriously play. He proved that yet again on Saturday night by tallying 26 disposals and using the ball well. If not for the injuries that dogged him during the first half of the season, he would most likely have played quite a few more AFL games this year.

5. DEAN GORE'S BALL-WINNING EXPLOITS IN THE VFL
The strongly-built South Australian midfielder hasn't managed to crack it for an AFL game so far this season, but in recent weeks he's been doing all he can to push his case in the VFL. He was among the Cats' best players in the VFL loss to Box Hill on Saturday afternoon, racking up 27 disposals, six tackles, three clearances and a goal.