Round 4, Friday 19th April, SCG

Geelong Cats   defeated     Sydney Swans
  19 - 10 - 124                        16 - 7 - 103

2 Billie Smedts
Fast and tenacious forward Billie Smedts was influential early in the match, well suited to the high tempo game style in the 1st quarter. Smedts kicked and important goal early when the game was in the balance before being subbed off at 3 quarter time for Josh Caddy.
SC: 38
DT: 32

3 Jimmy Bartel
In his new role across half back, Jimmy Bartel played with the skill and assurance of a veteran defender. He took 7 marks, often against bigger opponents, and his on-field leadership and influence on Geelong’s younger players was clear for all to see. Bartel took the kick in duties for the Cats and, with 15 of his 17 possessions effective, provided great transition from defence into attack.
SC: 70
DT: 66

4 Andrew Mackie
Mackie also provided great transition out of defence with his 23 disposals. His ability to push up the ground as part of Geelong’s forward press helped the Cats lock the ball in the forward half and put on 7 goals to 1 in the 3rd quarter. Mackie also finished the game with 10 marks, more than any other player on the ground.
SC: 86
DT: 93

7 Harry Taylor
Harry Taylor, displaying his great versatility, was damaging at both ends of the ground. Taylor had 7 marks for the match and collected 20 disposals. The inclusion of new recruit Jared Rivers has given greater flexibility to Geelong’s defence and, after Sydney utility Lewis Roberts-Thomson was injured and subbed out of the game, Taylor was able to go forward and kick 2 goals.
SC: 125
DT: 106

11 Joel Corey
Joel Corey has played most of the 2013 season across half back but spent more time in the centre against the Swans. The veteran midfielder had 24 possessions and was among Geelong’s best. Leading into the match Geelong was ranked 17th in clearances and Corey’s strength and awareness at stoppages was key to the Cats winning more clearances than the opposition for the first time this season.
SC: 80
DT: 68

12 Trent West
Trent West played a strong game against Sydney, winning 23 hit outs against friend and former teammate Shane Mumford. Geelong out-performed the Swans at stoppages, thanks in part to West’s excellent tap work.
SC: 62
DT: 45

13 Tom Lonergan
Tom Lonergan was a stalwart in defence, rotating between Sydney champion Adam Goodes and ruckmen Mumford and Mike Pyke. Drafted to Geelong as a forward, Lonergan was moved into attack late into the match. After taking a contested mark on the goal line the Geelong no. 13 was unable to convert from an acute angle and become the Cats 13th goal kicker
SC: 38
DT: 36

14 Joel Selwood
After a relatively quiet game against Carlton, Joel Selwood had a game high 31 disposals in a best on ground performance. In his usual hard-hitting style, Selwood had 18 contested possessions, 10 tackles and 8 clearances. The Geelong captain also displayed his skill with ball in hand, finishing the game with 80.6% disposal efficiency, 1 goal and 4 goal assists.
SC: 163
DT: 123

19 Taylor Hunt
Taylor Hunt continued his good form following a break out performance against Carlton. Spending most of the night on Sydney speedster Lewis Jetta, Hunt had 20 disposals while limiting his opponent to just 7. Hunt kicked a running goal from long range with just 2 seconds left in the third term to give the Cats an unassailable lead.
SC: 73
DT: 106

20 Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson was his usual creative and damaging self, collecting 23 disposals and 6 clearances against the Swans. Johnson kicked a goal on the run from outside 50, one of three Geelong goals in the final 2 minutes of the 3rd quarter.
SC: 97
DT: 107

22 Mitch Duncan
Mitch Duncan has become a reliable and consistent member of the Geelong side. In just his 55th game Duncan collected 23 possessions and helped the Cats overcome the experienced midfield unit of the Sydney Swans with another strong performance.
SC: 95
DT: 92

23 Josh Caddy
Josh Caddy was subbed on at 3 quarter time for young forward Billie Smedts. Running back with the flight of the ball, Caddy took a contested mark that would have impressed coach Chris Scott. After loosing his first 16 games with the Gold Coast Suns, Caddy has been part of all 4 of Geelong’s wins this season and his intensity around the contest helped prevent a Sydney resurgence late in the match
SC: 1
DT: 11

25 Jared Rivers
Jared Rivers returned from injury to play his 2nd game for the Cats and was a welcome addition to Geelong’s back 6. His ability to play on small and tall forwards allowed fellow defender Harry Taylor to be moved forward and damage the score board at different stages of the match.
SC: 62
DT: 42

26 Tom Hawkins
Hawkins lined up against All-Australian centre half back Ted Richards, who kept the big Cat relatively quiet early in the game. Coach Chris Scott tried to open up Geelong forward line in the 2nd quarter and Hawkins became dangerous as a marking target close to goal. Hawkins took 4 marks inside 50 and kicked 3 second half goals, helping the Cats kick ahead of reigning premiers Sydney.
SC: 71
DT: 56

27 Mathew Stokes
Mathew Stokes is in career best form and averages over 26 possessions a game this season. Relishing his new role in the midfield, Stokes finished the game with 2 goals and an equal game high 31 disposals.
SC: 103
DT: 106

28 Allen Christensen
Christensen continued his strong start to the season, winning the ball in the stoppages against the strong bodied and experienced Sydney midfield. His 20 possessions included 9 inside 50s, 1 goal and 2 goal assists. The Cats pushed ahead of Sydney in the 3rd quarter and Christensen’s speed helped Geelong dismantle the Swans team defence and gain the ascendancy in the match.
SC: 83
DT:  75

31 James Podsiadly
31 year old James Podsiadly played with the speed and agility of a younger man. Chris Scott tried to open up the Geelong forward line after quarter time, putting an extra man in defence and pushing Podsiadly up the ground in a high forward role. The J-Pod provided a tall target in all areas of the ground, taking 9 marks in addition to his 16 disposals and 1 goal.
SC: 66
DT: 75

32 Steven Motlop
Steven Motlop was one of Geelong’s best performers against the Swans, kicking 3 first half goals when the game was in the balance. Motlop’s speed broke open the Swans, who tried to lock the game down after a high scoring 1st quarter. Motlop showed great composure with ball in hand with 14 of his 15 disposals effective.
SC: 90
DT: 79

33 George Horlin-Smith
George Horlin-Smith played his best game for Geelong, exhibiting the maturity and skill the clubs has praised him for since joining the Cats. Horlin-Smith spent most of the night playing on Sydney’s midfield gun Josh Kennedy, limiting the 2012 All-Australian to just 6 kicks. Horlin-Smith had 7 clearances and 23 disposals, including the Cats first goal of the match.
SC: 105
DT: 69

35 Paul Chapman
Chapman had a strong all-round performance, amassing 22 possessions and kicking 2 goals. Chappy’s strength in contested situations was important against the mature bodies of the Sydney midfielders and was best exhibited when he out-muscled Swan Tony Armstrong and kicked a goal off the ground.
SC: 101
DT: 79

44 Corey Enright
Sydney coach John Longmire was wary of Corey Enright pre-game but was unable curtail the influence of the veteran defender who collected 19 disposals. The ever-reliable Enright  also took 7 marks playing across half back, limiting Sydney’s forward options.
SC: 76
DT: 70

46  Mark Bilcavs
Mark Blicavs played a game that belies his experience. In just his 4th match at AFL level, the former Olympic hopeful utilised his elite running ability to contribute all over the ground and be the third man up in ruck contests. Blicavs exhibited great decision making and, with 85.7% disposal efficiency, was calm and clean under pressure.
SC: 47
DT:  33