Firstly we’ve got Steven Motlop who’s currently in the spotlight for his rocketing performances that have helped to lift the Cats over the line during several nail-biting occasions.
Comparing last year’s statistics to this year, Motlop has made a vast improvement across the board, which is an impressive effort considering he didn’t play his first game until Round Seven against the Tigers.
After many lengthy discussions between football management and coaches, Motlop was flown to London to receive surgery on his knee during the latter part of this year’s preseason. However, his late start to the season hasn’t stopped him from fine-tuning his game.
Last year Motlop’s disposal average was 17.8 per game and this year the youngster has pushed it up to 20.6, including a career best performance of 30 touches against Western Bulldogs. And his marking average has gone from 3.2 to 5.3 and his inside-50s, which were already high, have gone from 4.3 to 4.8.
Former steeplechaser Mark Blicavs and family friend Cameron Guthrie have also increased their output and have continued to show why they’ve become permanent residents on the field.
This year Blicavs, despite his recent role change from the centre to defence, has managed to increase both his average disposal (10.9 to 11.2) and marking count per game (2.9 to 3.9).
Geelong’s new shutdown king Guthrie has also undertaken a new position this season. On occasion the 21 year-old has moved from a defensive tagging position to the middle, where he resumes to prove he has the faculties of his predecessor James Kelly, who intermittently steps back into defence to allow room for the emerging kitten.
This subtle transition from Kelly to Guthrie is part of the rebuilding process of the Cats midfield, which has taken a drastic turn since the premiership years from 2007 to 2011.
Average disposals per game
2013: 12.8 to 2014: 17.9
Average tackles per game
2013: 2.8 to 2014: 6
Average clearances per game
2013: 0.5 to 3.2
Young Cat George Horlin-Smith, who sits on 25 games, is also making a regular appearance in the Cats midfield, where he continues to ripen each week.
Average disposals per game
2013: 14.8 to 2014: 17.4
Average marks per game
2013: 2.9 to 2014: 3.2
Horlin-Smith might not provide the Cats with the fastest legs, however, his footy smarts and ability to win the contest is becoming increasingly valuable every battle.
Jordan Murdoch has also boosted his game time and importance this year. In 2013, Chris Scott selected Murdoch for 11 senior games and this year he has already played out 16, with five games to go plus finals.
The biggest change in Murdoch’s performance this season has been his ability to create space and move into the right spot, with an impressive increase in uncontested possessions. Last year he finished with an average of 4.9 and today his sits on an average of 8.4 a game.
Average disposals per game
2013: 8.4 to 2014: 13.5
Average marks per game
2013: 2.1 to 2014: 3.5
Then there’s the Cats key forward Tom Hawkins, who has continued to deliver best-on-ground performances since the beginning of the year.
Average disposals per game
2013: 9.8 to 2014: 11.9
Average marks inside-50 per game
2013: 2.5 to 2014: 4
Average goals per game
2013: 2.2 to 2014: 2.9
With only five games to go and finals closing in, the exciting part of the Cats next chapter, according to the stats, could be about to take place.
