2 BILLIE SMEDTS was one of two changes to the Geelong side, selected for his first senior appearance of 2014. The young Cat was trialled as a defender in the preseason competition and he spent much of the game on Thursday on the half back flank. Smedts struggled to adjust to the tempo of football at the top level, collecting four disposals for the match.
DT: 11
SC: 16

3 JIMMY BARTEL toiled admirably to resist the Sydney onslaught and was one the few Cats who was regularly involved in the play. Bartel collected 27 possessions and spent most of the first half as a high forward, kicking Geelong inside 50 on four occasions. After half time Bartel was positioned in the back line, rebound 50 six times as the preferred loose defender.
DT: 87
SC: 94

4 ANDREW MACKIE won plenty of the ball and had plenty of chances to do so playing in defence. The All-Australian accumulated 19 possessions and rebounded defensive 50 five times. When Mackie went to ground late in the third term Swan Ben McGlyn attempted to hurdle hime in an effort to tackle Harry Taylor. McGlyn caught Mackie with an accidental knee to the side, forcing a substitution at three quarter time.
DT: 70
SC: 65

5 TRAVIS VARCOE spent time in a variety of positions, playing primarily on the half back line. He is most dangerous when he is able to receive the ball in space and break the lines with his foot speed. Varcoe gathered 14 possessions but was suffocated by a swarm of Swans whenever he touched the ball.
DT: 50
SC: 61

7 HARY TAYLOR played on Lance Franklin, a job his injured accomplice Tom Lonergan has taken on successfully over recent seasons. Taylor was by no means daunted by the task, taking five marks and affecting six spoils. Doing his best to repel wave after wave of Sydney forward entries, Taylor rebounded defensive 50 six times with his 18 possessions and disposed with 83.3% efficiency.
DT: 70
SC: 96

9 JAMES KELLY was thrust into the centre square last week in an effort to correct Geelong's contested ball differential. The ploy was very successful against the Kangaroos and Kelly was once again positioned inside the centre square to start the game on Thursday. He contributed three clearances, five inside 50s and five rebound 50s with his 21 disposals.
DT: 73
SC: 81

12 JESSE STRINGER played his second successive game for the Cats after breaking into the team for his first match of the year last week. He played predominantly as a small forward with brief bursts through the midfield. Stringer gathered 21 disposals, able to find space at times with his pace but ultimately contained by a manic Sydney outfit.
DT: 36
SC: 35

14 JOEL SELWOOD did all he could to inspire Geelong, leading by example on a tough night for his team. Selwood was tagged by Ben McGlyn through most of the first half, but could not be prevented from winning the ball. He collected 30 touches and made seven tackles, the best of any Cat. Selwood received a high bump from Adam Goodes late in the third quarter that did not cause lasting damage but will certainly be looked at by the match review panel.
DT: 104
SC: 98

16 DAWSON SIMPSON won 21 hit-outs and kicked the Cats' first goal of the game. He tackled Heath Grundy deep in the forward pocket, forcing him to dispose of the ball illegally. Simpson was rewarded with a free kick from a very tight angle and, ignoring Steve Johnson's plee for a handball, snapped Geelong's only goal of the first half, tripling their score in the process.
DT: 52
SC: 54

17 HAMISH McINTOSH fought hard to counteract the height discrepancy between Geelong and Sydney. He amassed 16 disposals and won a game-high 28 hit-outs, a victory that did not translate into successful clearances. The Swans boast some of the most athletic and dangerous big men in the game and were able to restrict McIntosh's ability to push forward and contribute to the scoreboard.
DT: 85
SC: 71

20 STEVE JOHNSON was willing to attack at all costs, even under immense pressure, in an effort to swing the momentum in Geelong's favour. He can be devastating with his disposal but was not allowed the time or space to create scoring opportunities. Johnson gathered 26 possessions and his positive intent was reward with a consolation goal in the final term.
DT: 94
SC: 92

21 JORDAN MURDOCH has played every game this year and is improving his consistency as he gains experience. Like many Cats on Thursday night, Murdoch was well below the promising form he has shown for much of the year. With limited opportunities in the forward line he gathered eight touches and made six tackles.
DT: 53
SC: 31

22 MITCH DUNCAN displayed great determination with his efforts to match the awesome running power of the Sydney midfield. Following the ball for most of the night, Duncan regularly worked back to support the Geelong defence. He took five marks, three of which were contested, and made five spoils. He also gathered 21 disposals, thanks in no small part to his excellent work rate.
DT: 92
SC: 86

24 JED BEWS has endured a baptism of fire in his short, three game career. The young defender debuted in Perth against the Dockers, fought North Melbourne the following week, and on Thursday played in an undermanned defence against the best forward line in the league. Bews gathered nine disposals and made four tackles, showing promising signs through a difficult initiation.
DT: 43
SC: 29

25 JARED RIVERS was given the unenviable task of curtailing Kurt Tippett in the absence of senior Geelong defenders. Rivers conceded 10kg and almost 10cm to Tippett, and could not have performed any better considering the quantity and quality of Sydney's forward entries. Rivers had thirteen touches for the match and made five spoils.
DT: 45
SC: 55

26 TOM HAWKINS had a frustrating night against the Swans, who forced his teammates further up the field to kick forward under pressure. He regularly competed in the air against multiple opponents but managed to take five marks. With his 10 touches Hawkins scored two goals, kicking Geelong's second goal of the game on the verge of three quarter time and another in the final term.
DT: 58
SC: 52

27 MATHEW STOKES has become such an effective accumulator that even when Geelong is dominated by the opposing midfield he is able to gather 31 disposals. Over the past two seasons he has been an excellent two way runner, defending well and pushing into space to provide a target when the Cats win the ball. Time in possession was rare for Geelong on Thursday night and Stokes was forced to win most of his disposals in the back half.
DT: 95
SC: 78

29 CAMERON GUTHRIE started the game following Sydney star Josh Kennedy in a role he has played several times this year. Guthrie worked hard to restrict Kennedy's influence, but Geelong could do little to stop the manic Sydney midfield. He tallied 16 disposals and won two clearances, before moving to the back line, where he has played for most of his 50 game career.
DT: 58
SC: 58

32 STEVEN MOTLOP was lively in the first quarter, accelerating away from opponents and providing many of the rare goal scoring opportunities in the first half. Tallying 12 disposals for the game, Motlop kicked into the attacking arc on five occasions. He is still regaining his match fitness after a long-term injury and could not run out the game with the same level of intensity.
DT: 38
SC: 32

33 GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH is well suited to a congested, physical midfield battle, and performed well against a hard-bodied and experienced Sydney team. Geelong were dominated at stoppages, but Horlin-Smith provided some resistance, winning two centre clearances and one more in general play. He made four tackles and collected 18 disposals, executing with 83.3% efficiency.
DT: 60
SC: 58

38 JACKSON SHERINGHAM was extremely impressive playing in very difficult circumstances. Starting the game with the green substitute vest, he was activated at three quarter time to replace the injured Andrew Mackie. The game was beyond saving but Sheringham played with purpose and optimism, winning one clearance and seven effective disposals from a total of eight. He attacked successfully, kicking inside 50 four times and providing two goal assists, equaling the team's total in the first three quarters.   
DT: 27
SC: 22

46 MARK BLICAVS played one of the best games of his career under enormous pressure. He successfully competed as a key defender against Majak Daw last week but faced a far more menacing task curtailing Sydney's monstrous tall forwards. Blicavs' aerial work was sensational, affecting five spoils and taking seven marks, mostly inside defensive 50. He also collected 20 disposals and executed with 80% efficiency.
DT: 76
SC: 78