SC: 74
DT: 79
3 Jimmy Bartel returned to his now familiar role across half back, having started in the forward line last week against Richmond. His ability to mark overhead and effect spoils in packs proved invaluable against the tall Essendon forward line. Bartel was equally effective offensively, gathering 18 possessions with a disposal efficiency of 83.3%. The Geelong vice-captain had 1 goal assist and kicked one himself from outside 50, finishing off in an impressive all-round performance.
SC: 102
DT: 79
4 Andrew Mackie had 14 effective possessions from his total of 17 playing across half back. With 5 rebound 50s, his accuracy of disposal provided Geelong with rapid and effective transition from defence into attack. Mackie exhibited great versatility at Etihad Stadium, opposing 197cm Bomber Scott Gumbleton for long periods and covering crumbing forward Alwyn Davey at other stages of the match.
SC: 62
DT: 64
7 Harry Taylor took on Essendon forward Michael Hurley, keeping him to just 1 goal and little influence on the match. Hurley, returning from a wrist injury, struggled to find space and provide a dangerous option. This allowed Taylor to take 7 marks, out-positioning his opponent or working to support a team mate and be an unguarded third man into the marking contest. Taylor also worked up the ground, collecting 13 disposals with 84.6% efficiency and sending the ball into Geelong’s forward 50 4 times.
SC: 69
DT: 66
9 James Kelly continues to display a thirst for physical confrontation and used his size and experience to win the ball under immense opposition pressure. He won 13 of his 23 possession in a contest, providing a great example of hard-fought football for the youthful Geelong midfield. Kelly minimised the effect of Essendon’s clearance ascendancy by laying 8 tackles, more than anybody else on the ground.
SC: 86
DT: 85
12 Trent West has secured his position as the number one ruck choice at Geelong through consistency of performance and unwavering effort. He competed well against Bomber ruckman Tom Bellchambers, winning 15 hit outs, 8 possesions and sending the Cats inside 50 3 times. Essendon did not field a genuine back-up ruckman and West worked with team mate Mark Blicavs to exploit this with hard running in the second half.
SC: 54
DT: 43
13 Tom Lonergan had an influence at both ends of the ground in one of his best games for the year. He had the measure of his direct opponent Stuart Crameri, limiting him to just 1 goal. Lonergan was moved forward for short periods of the game and took 2 pack marks in Geelong’s attacking 50. He converted both chances, adding 2 goals to a faultless defensive performance.
SC: 72
DT: 61
14 Joel Selwood collected 19 disposals against the Bombers, despite their top tagger Heath Hocking shadowing him for the entire match. Selwood put Geelong inside 50 on 5 occasions and kicked a crucial goal that kept the Cats within reach after Essendon had extended their quarter time lead. The physical pressure from both teams magnified after half-time and Selwood lead the way with 8 tackles, more than any other Cat.
SC: 100
DT: 101
15 Jordan Schroder started the match wearing the green substitute vest but was on the field before the end of the first quarter. Replacing the injured Taylor Hunt, Shroder looked right at home in the high pressure contest between the only two teams yet to taste defeat in 2013. Schroder collected 8 disposals playing in the forward line and laid 4 tackles in just his second senior game for the Cats. In the final moments of the second quarter he harassed Stuart Crameri and pinned his arm in a perfectly executed tackle. Schroder was rewarded with a free kick for incorrect disposal and with poise that belied his experience he kicked a goal after the siren to put Geelong in front by 4 points.
SC: 54
DT: 44
19 Taylor Hunt injured his shoulder in a collision early in the first term and was substituted for Jordan Schroder before quarter time. Hunt had gathered 3 disposals before the incident but was unable to take any further part in the match.
SC: 13
DT: 11
20 Steve Johnson was the most prolific ball winner and one of Geelong’s best players, winning 36 disposals. Johnson played most of the game in the midfield, putting himself in the centre bounces whenever Essendon gathered momentum and providing constant support and leadership for the young Cats around him. In a match where the Bombers statistically dominated at stoppages Johnson lead the Cats with 6 clearances, 4 times out of the centre square. Stevie J is renowned and loved for his miraculous skill but he worked harder and ran further than any player on the ground, setting the standard for Geelong’s emerging midfield.
SC: 123
DT: 105
22 Mitch Duncan was set the task of neutralising Brendan Goddard, Essendon’s star recruit for the 2013 season. The budding young on-baller, in just his 58th game, would have learnt a lot from his role against such an experienced campaigner. Duncan had 16 disposals and forced Goddard to win most of possessions in the back half of the ground, where he is least dangerous. Duncan took 7 marks and kicked an important second quarter goal after the Bombers had booted 4 in a row and pushed their lead beyond 20 points mid way through the term.
SC: 57
DT: 70
26 Tom Hawkins was able to have an influence on the match despite a persistent back injury severely limiting his mobility. Hawkins had to battle against Jake Carlisle, who is the in-form key defender of the competition and had the support of a second Essendon defender in most marking contests. One on one Hawkins was too strong, out-muscling Carlisle to mark the ball and kick a goal in the first minute of the second quarter. He took 3 marks inside forward 50m and added a second goal in the final term.
SC: 46
DT: 44
27 Mathew Stokes seems to have the ball on a string this season, continuing his run of good form with a 24 disposal game against the Bombers. Stokes spent most of the game on-ball and is thriving in the midfield. He hasn’t lost any of his forward prowess with this new role, kicking 3 goals and assisting in a further 2. Despite being the shortest Cat on the ground Stokes took 11 marks, more than any of his Geelong team mates.
SC: 119
DT: 112
28 Allen Christensen flourished in the fast and physical match at Etihad Stadium. He won 11 out of his 16 disposals in contested situations, demonstrating great strength and creativity at stoppages and an uncanny ability to get his arms free from a tackle and dispose the ball cleanly. Christensen showed incredible courage mid way through the third quarter running back into an opponent on the lead to effect the spoil. The young Cat prevented a set shot close to goal but received a heavy blow to the body for his effort.
SC: 72
DT: 59
29 Cameron Guthrie played an excellent game in defence, helping Geelong limit the highest scoring team of 2013 to just 11 goals. Guthrie collected 12 possessions and rebounded the Cats out of defensive 50 on 5 occassions. The young defender competed well in the air against Essendon’s multiple tall forward targets and beat his opponents when the ball hit the ground through his vicious attack on the ball and strength around the contest. Guthrie’s 5 tackles contributed to the heightened physical pressure that allowed Geelong to push ahead in the second half and ultimately secure victory.
SC: 70
DT: 63
31 James Podsiadly spent a significant portion of the pre-season working on his defensive skills and learning the structure of Geelong’s back 6. It proved to be time well spent as Podsiadly had 17 disposals and 3 rebound 50s playing as a defender for long periods of the match. The Bombers played 3 tall forwards as well as goal kicking ruckman Tom Bellchambers. Playing Podsiadly in the back line helped cover these marking targets and allowed Chris Scott to set up a smaller attacking unit that could exploit Essendon’s lack of pace in defence
SC: 86
DT: 69
32 Steven Motlop was one of Geelong’s best against the Bombers, accumulating 28 disposals in a strong four quarter performance. Motlop took 8 marks and was at times impossible to catch, running zig-zags through the Essendon defence. He made up for some early inaccuracy by snapping an impossible goal that caused the 53,000 spectators to jump out of their seats in amazement. Motlop’s mercurial ability has now been matched by a consistency of performance that has helped Geelong remain unbeaten this season.
DT: 117
SC: 102
33 George Horlin-Smith earned a rising star nomination in a shut down role on Sydney’s Josh Kennedy earlier in the year. On Friday night Horlin-Smith was again given a negating role, this time against Essendon’s similarly sized captain Jobe Watson. Horlin-Smith was able to collect 18 possessions and limit the influence of the 2012 Brownlow medalists. Watson had a disposal efficiency of just 63.3%, unable to be effective with his ball use due to the relentless pressure and effort of George Horlin-Smith.
SC: 68
DT: 75
40 Jackson Thurlow played with the confidence and composure of a seasoned AFL footballer in his debut for the Cats. The 19 year old Tasmanian had 17 possessions, demonstrating the skill and versatility that earned him Under-18 All Australian honours and selection in Geelong’s senior side. Thurlow took 5 marks, with his grab over Essendon ruckman Tom Bellchambers providing one of the highlights of the game.
SC: 77
DT: 74
44 Corey Enright followed up his excellent milestone performance last week with another strong outing against the Bombers. He had 8 contested possessions and accumulated a total of 23 disposals as one of Geelong’s best players. Enright lead the Cats with 11 marks and 7 rebound 50s, and his ability to beat tall and small opponents gave Chris Scott the freedom to reposition Harry Taylor, Tom Lonergan and James Podsiadly opportunistically.
SC: 100
DT: 99
46 Mark Blicavs showed great flexibility against the Bombers, playing a number of different roles. Blicavs won 12 hit-outs supporting Trent West in the ruck and, when playing on the wing, was able to maximise the impact of his elite running ability. Blicavs was most influential, however, providing a target in the forward line. Essendon fielded several tall forwards which required James Podsiadly to play mainly as a defender. Blicavs filled the gap left by the J-Pod nicely, taking 5 marks and kicking 2 goals.
SC: 60
DT: 67
