3 JIMMY BARTEL rebounded from a disappointing match last week to be one of the Cats’ best performers. He played as a loose man in defence for much of the first quarter and helped establish a five goal lead during the opening term. West Coast endeavoured to curtail Bartel’s influence after the first change but the Geelong vice-captain accumulated 32 disposals with 84.4% efficiency. Bartel made an impact at both ends of the ground, adding five rebound 50s and entering attacking 50 on five occasions.
DT: 111
SC: 135

4 ANDREW MACKIE was without a direct opponent at the opening bounce, but was quickly manned up after a dominant start from the Cats. His defensive efforts were excellent, negating the influence of the Eagles’ dangerous marking forwards, and his attack on the rebound was influential, adding two goal assists. Mackie took seven marks and gathered 27 disposals, able to use his long kick to great effect on the big Subiaco ground.
DT: 98
SC: 125

5 TRAVIS VARCOE has built up match fitness over recent weeks and is improving with every game. He stayed involved in the play, collecting 18 possessions, and was able to run out the game strongly. Geelong exposed a lack of speed in the West Coast team and Varcoe was one of a number of Cats who were able to break the lines and open up the Eagles defence, particularly when rebounding from half back.
DT: 59
SC: 60

7 HARRY TAYLOR competed against Eagle Jack Darling and outplayed the talented young forward. Gathering 11 disposals, it was not his most prolific performance, but his defence was first class, leading the way with nine 1% efforts. Taylor spent a short time deep in the forward line during the first quarter and still managed to restrict his opponent to one mark inside 50 and one goal late in the final term.
DT: 50
SC: 46

9 JAMES KELLY was an excellent contributor to Geelong’s big win in Perth, collecting 23 disposals. His physicality at stoppages was effective, winning five clearances and making seven tackles, the most of any Cat. Kelly rebounded defensive 50 on four occasions and was able to be just as influential in the attacking half, kicking two goals.
DT: 103
SC: 97

11 JOEL COREY is the most experienced player on the Geelong list and is building towards his best form for the finals. His work around the stoppages was important against the Eagles, winning two clearances in general play and two from centre bounces. He has played as a utility this season, averaging over 21 disposals, and was effective in a variety of roles on Saturday night. He finished the match with 23 possessions and showed no reason why he can’t play on next year.
DT: 76
SC: 63

13 TOM LONERGAN lined up against Coleman medal leader Josh Kennedy and clearly won the duel. Kennedy has been the most prolific key forward in the competition but was held scoreless by Lonergan, just the second time this year he has failed to kick a goal. Lonergan dominated his opponent, preventing Kennedy from taking a mark inside forward 50 and forcing him to search for possessions in the defensive half of the ground.  
DT: 28
SC: 28

14 JOEL SELWOOD started the match in a one on one battle with younger brother Scott. Joel has a won 13 of 14 games played against his siblings and took the honours once again, gathering 29 disposals in a dominant Geelong victory. He won two centre clearances to Scott’s four, but added a career best four goals to round out an impressive midfield performance. Joel Selwood has been in prolific goal kicking form, scoring 14 goals in the past five games.
DT: 135
SC: 144

20 STEVE JOHNSON had the ball on a string, accumulating a game high 37 possessions. He was uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal, kicking two behinds, and appeared uncertain whether to kick a drop punt or snap from a set shot in the third term. He kicked inside attacking 50 seven times, providing first class service to the Geelong forwards. Johnson’s stoppage work was equally impressive, winning five clearances in general play.
DT: 143
SC: 110

21 JORDAN MURDOCH was selected for his first senior game since round 17 and made the most of his opportunity. He only managed seven disposals but his pressure inside forward 50 was excellent, preventing West Coast from clearing defence easily with constant harassment and manning up quickly to prohibit a rapid switch of play. Murdoch’s strong forward performance was rewarded with a goal during the third term.
DT: 44
SC: 42

22 MITCH DUNCAN played 85% of game time after lasting just five minutes last week. He collected 27 disposals and showed no lingering effects from the concussion that forced him from the field against Port Adelaide. Duncan worked as hard as anyone, running the length of Paterson’s Stadium to support the Geelong defence, to transition through the midfield and then to lock the ball inside the attacking half. He was able to get clear of his opponents and take nine marks, a game high that reflects his work ethic.
DT: 98
SC: 84

23 JOSH CADDY started the match as the substitute but, as coach Chris Scott insisted in his post-match press conference, he was not the 22nd player selected. Caddy’s form has been very impressive in recent week and he carried that into the game against West Coast, gathering 21 disposals in just two quarters. He was sent in to compete at the centre bounces almost immediately after being substituted into the game and won three clearances playing a strong, contested style of football. Caddy played with great confidence and physical intensity, making four tackles and taking five marks.
DT: 86
SC: 56

25 JARED RIVERS settled into the Geelong defence seamlessly, playing his best game yet in a blue and white jumper. Disposing with 80% efficiency, he tallied 15 possessions and took four marks. Rivers is a versatile defender able to compete against big and small forwards. This provides greater flexibility in the Cats’ back line and allows Harry Taylor and Andrew Mackie to both play higher up the ground at different stages during matches.
DT: 57
SC: 67

27 MATHEW STOKES started his 150th game under enormous pressure, receiving a clumsy handball in the defensive goal square with surrounding Eagles ready to pounce. After a tense start Stokes did very little wrong, amassing 30 disposals and kicking two goals. The strong, end to end running that has been a feature of his game this season was on full display. Stokes has worn the number 27 since he debuted for the Cats in 2006 and celebrated his milestone match in style with 27 effective possessions and 127 fantasy points.  
DT: 127
SC: 135

28 ALLEN CHRISTENSEN hasn’t missed a beat since returning from injury, following up is good game against the Power with another high quality contribution. Christensen amassed 29 touches and was very effective when in possession, disposing with 86.2% efficiency. His work in contests was equally impressive, winning four clearances and making six tackles. He provided four goal assists and kicked one himself in the third quarter to complete an excellent midfield performance
DT: 97
SC: 126

29 CAMERON GUTHRIE continues to perform at a high standard and is mounting a strong case to become a permanent member of Geelong’s back six. He gathered 15 disposals and rebounded defensive 50 three times playing across half back. Guthrie’s strong marking overhead is a key component of his defence and he managed six in wet conditions against the Eagles. Playing with confidence and composure, he has also been able to break through tackles and maintain fluid transition through the middle of the ground.
DT: 57
SC: 61

30 NATHAN VARDY faced an enormous challenge opposing Eagles champion Dean Cox and delivered an exemplary performance. His match fitness has clearly improved during his four consecutive senior games and he has relished the responsibility of being Geelong’s premier ruckman. Vardy won 11 disposals in addition to 18 hit-outs and a clearance. When rested forward he still had the energy to launch into marking contests and be a dangerous second tall.
DT: 63
SC: 86

31 JAMES PODSIADLY received close attention from West Coast’s number one defender Eric Mackenzie in the absence of Tom Hawkins. He played his role, providing a strong forward target and kicking two goals. Podsiadly finished the game with 12 effective disposals form a total of 13 in slippery conditions not suited to power forwards.
DT: 63
SC: 55

32 STEVEN MOTLOP was one of the Cats’ best, despite playing only two quarters of football. He kicked the first goal of the match and added his second just 10 minutes into the opening quarter. His work ethic was enormous, covering the ground at speed to rebound defensive 50 twice and kick into attacking 50 on three occasions. Motlop collected 16 disposals before he came off late in the second quarter with hamstring tightness and was subbed out of the game for Josh Caddy. The substitution was precautionary and he’ll be fit to play next week against the Swans.
DT: 57
SC: 103

34 JOSH WALKER followed up his good performance against Port Adelaide with another strong game on Saturday night. He was utilised in a number of different positions and competed well inside forward 50 against taller, bigger opponents. He scored a goal in the first term, the last in a run of five for the Cats to start the match. Just as he did last week, Walker launched himself into marking contests and landed heavily during the third, injuring his wrist. He was able to play out the rest of the game and will be available for selection against Sydney.
DT: 42
SC: 50

44 COREY ENRIGHT had 19 disposals playing across half back. It was not his most dominant performance but structurally he was excellent, marshalling the defensive troops to completely shut down the Eagles’ scoring options. Enright won two clearances and sent the Cats inside 50 on three occasions. He was a key part of an impenetrable back line and was damaging with possession, disposing with 78.9% efficiency.  
DT: 70
SC: 88

46 MARK BLICAVS appears desperate to secure a place in Geelong’s best 22 and provided a convincing argument with 17 disposals against West Coast. His work at the stoppages was impressive, winning 18 hit outs and five clearances, an equal best for the Cats. Blicavs has also developed an ability to impose himself physically, taking two contested marks and making six tackles.  
DT: 96
SC: 115