1 MITCH BROWN was a dangerous forward target, kicking two goals in the opening term. He added a third goal in the second quarter to become the top scorer for the match and put Geelong ahead at the major break. Brown took seven marks and had 12 possessions, disposing with 83.3% efficiency despite the strong, swirling breeze.
AF: 84

2 BILLIE SMEDTS played predominantly in defence in the opening NAB Challenge match and was again positioned in the back half on Friday. He tallied 17 disposals with 94.1% efficiency and appeared comfortable and confident in his new role. Smedts was reported late in the third term for sticking Demon Jimmy Toumpas high when attempting to spoil and will await the Match Review Panel’s findings on the incident.
AF: 50

3 JIMMY BARTEL spent large periods of the match playing on the half forward flank, a positional change revealed by coach Chris Scott in a pre-match interview. Bartel was slow to work his way into the game but made a big impact in the second quarter, kicking two goals. He took six marks and sent Geelong inside attacking 50 with five of his 17 possessions.
AF: 88
5 TRAVIS VARCOE played across the half back line for most of the match, a position he adopted in 2013 and grew more comfortable in as the season progressed. After a slow start Varcoe was one of the Cats’ best performers in the second half, tallying 19 disposals by the final siren. He contributed four inside 50s and a goal, and made a brilliant chase in the final term to lay his fourth tackle of the game.
AF: 86

6 LINCOLN McCARTHY started the preseason opener against Collingwood with a bone-crunching tackle on the edge of Geelong’s goal. He didn’t have quite the same immediate impact but delivered a more consistent performance on Friday night. A lively small forward, McCarthy collected 13 disposals and sent the Cats into attacking 50m three times.

7 HARRY TAYLOR started the game on exciting young forward Jesse Hogan, playing his first senior game in Demon colours. Hogan presented high up the ground in the opening term and Taylor seized an opportunity to drift forward, take a contested mark and kick a goal. Taylor took six marks and tallied 10 disposals for the match, and was able to add a second goal when he was moved into the forward line in the latter stages of the third term.
AF: 65

9 JAMES KELLY was below his best but still made a valuable contribution with 17 disposals, two inside 50s and two clearances. Geelong used a large number of players, particularly young Cats, in the centre bounces and through the midfield, so Kelly had only short bursts in his usual position.
AF: 59

13 TOM LONERGAN had a quiet game, totalling seven disposals from 87% of game time. Melbourne tallied just 31 forward 50m entries for the match, half that of Geelong, and as a result Lonergan saw very little of the ball on the last line of defence.
AF: 34

14 JOEL SELWOOD was essentially a spectator in his first outing of the season, subbed out of the match in the first quarter with a hamstring injury. The Geelong captain managed to gain possession of the ball twice before making his way to the bench. The injury appeared to be minor but the Cats won’t take any chances with their star on-baller so close to the start of the season.
AF: 8

15 JORDAN SCHRODER collected two disposals, playing just 56% of game time. Schroder was a starting substitute in the NAB Challenge opener against Collingwood and kicked two goals, including the match winner. He was unable to have quite the same impact on Friday night but will no doubt have benefitted from the match practice.
AF: 8

16 DAWSON SIMPSON was a commanding physical presence against Melbourne, winning 19 hit-outs and 12 possessions as Geelong’s premier ruckman. Simpson appears to have fully recovered from the knee injury that prematurely ended his season last year and will carry greater responsibility in 2014 after fellow ruckman Nathan Vardy suffered a similar set-back during the week.
AF: 54

17 HAMISH McINTOSH played his first game wearing the blue and white hoops and his first competitive match in almost two years. His output was carefully managed and he was limited to 50 minutes of game time but still contributed 6 possessions and 10 hit-outs.
AF: 28

19 TAYLOR HUNT delivered a consistent performance, gathering 17 disposals primarily from the half back line. His long accurate kicking was very effective, rebounding defensive 50m six times and executing with 88.2% efficiency. Hunt was also impressive in aerial contests, taking six marks.
AF: 68

20 STEVE JOHNSON was one of Geelong’s best players and equal leading disposal winner with 29 touches. He won five clearances competing in the midfield and was just as dangerous, if a little inaccurate, when moved forward, adding nine inside 50s and three behinds.
AF: 94

21 JORDAN MURDOCH collected 11 disposals playing as an outside on-baller and small forward. He was given short bursts in the heart of the midfield to gain competitive stoppage experience and won two clearances.
AF: 41

22 MITCH DUNCAN had a busy start to the game and was never far from the action. He took a strong contested mark and goaled in the first term, repeating the effort and converting a set shot from outside 50m early in the second. Duncan tallied 24 disposals and provided seven forward entries, displaying the skill and confidence to become a permanent midfield player.
AF: 103

23 JOSH CADDY had an outstanding game against Collingwood and was again among Geelong’s best against the Demons. Caddy gathered 29 disposals and had six clearances, five of which were won at centre bounces. He provided a physical presence in the midfield and excellent service to the forward line, contributing eight inside 50ms and a goal.
AF: 121

25 JARED RIVERS was effective with every on of his nine possessions. Melbourne played a high possession game and were slow with their forward entries, a game style Rivers countered effectively. Competing against his former club, Rivers regularly intercepted opposition attacks, taking seven marks.
AF: 41

26 TOM HAWKINS gathered 15 disposals and was a dangerous forward presence despite taking just two marks. The big Cat kicked one goal from a set shot and was amazed when his second set shot attempt shaped into the strong breeze and struck the woodwork. Hawkins ran out the game strongly and played with freedom and mobility, signs that the back trouble that plagued him in 2013 may no longer be of concern.
AF: 48

29 CAMERON GUTHRIE delivered a rather quiet performance in comparison to the form he displayed in the first NAB Challenge match. He tallied just eight disposals but made an impact in several positions, displaying versatility that will make him a valuable asset during the home and away season. Guthrie remained defensively accountable and was effective in heavy traffic, wining two clearances and making four tackles.
AF: 45

33 GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH played an excellent game in the midfield and finished with a total of 23 possessions. He was particularly impressive at stoppages, winning six clearances. Horlin-Smith thrived in congestion, making five tackles and using his physical strength with great effect.
AF: 91

34 JOSH WALKER earned senior selection last year as a tall forward who did some pinch-hitting in the ruck. Against the Demons at TIO Traeger Park he was trialled as a tall defender, giving the recently elevated rookie experience in an unfamiliar position. Playing only 58% of game time, Walker tallied three disposals and managed to kick a goal during his brief stint in the forward line.
AF: 26

35 JARED JANSEN collected 15 possessions in his debut appearance for the Cats. Selected by Geelong with the 36th pick in the 2013 draft, Jansen displayed the strength and skill at stoppages for which he was drafted. He won three clearances around the ground and was exposed to the centre bounces, where he added one more. Jansen’s defensive effort was also impressive, leading the Cats with six tackles.
AF: 57

40 JACKSON THURLOW showed great improvement after a year in the AFL system, gathering 17 disposals primarily from the half back line. Geelong’s first round selection in the 2012 draft, Thurlow made an impact at both ends of the ground with 3 rebound 50s and five forward 50 entries. He took nine marks, the most of any Cat, and appears certain to add to his tally of four AFL games in the very near future.
AF: 71

45 JOEL HAMLING is a young key position prospect who collected four touches in his first competitive hit-out of the year. Sidelined for three months with an ankle injury last year, the young Cat showed glimpses of his potential but will need to continue his physical development to compete at the highest level.
AF: 25

46 MARK BLICAVS gathered 12 disposals and executed with 91.7% efficiency. The tall utility played almost entirely on a wing and contributed 5 hit-outs, mostly as the third man into a ruck contest. With Vardy’s season ending injury and the limited preparation of recruit Hamish McIntosh, Blicavs’ ability to contribute around the ground and in the ruck will be invaluable in the first half of the season.
AF: 71