3 JIMMY BARTEL got off to a flying start against the Hawks, gathering 11 disposals in the first term. After quarter time Jonathan Simpkin, himself a former Cat, was sent to Bartel and was able to effectively reduce the ease with which he collected possessions. Used as a utility in all areas of the ground this season, Bartel played almost exclusively in defence. He was able to help negate Hawthorn’s marking targets and provided rapid transition out of defence, finishing the match with 22 disposals and five rebound 50s.
DT: 76
SC: 103

4 ANDREW MACKIE played an outstanding game against the Hawks, collecting 22 disposals across half back. In the first half Hawthorn pushed their ruckman forward in an effort to stretch the Geelong defence. This move required Mackie to take on Hawks Hale and Bailey, to whom he concedes 9cm and 14cm respectively. Mackie took eight marks, more than capable of the challenge, and Bailey was substituted during the third quarter. Mackie was also damaging with possession, rebounding out of defensive 50 four times and sending Geelong inside forward 50 on three occasions.  
DT: 100
SC: 94

7 HARRY TAYLOR took on Jarryd Roughead, the most dangerous forward in the competition over recent weeks. Taylor was not able to drift off his opponent to regularly intercept forward entries or attack on the rebound but still managed 16 possessions and six marks while delivering an excellent defensive performance. Roughead averaged four goals a game in the seven matches leading into round 15 but battled against Taylor and the entire Geelong defence, managing just two goals and three marks for the match.
DT: 71
SC: 71

8 JOSH HUNT continued his run of consistent and quality performances with another strong game against the Hawks. Geelong were able to stretch Hawthorn across the full width of the MCG, regularly utilising Hunt to effectively switch the play or opportunistically attack up the middle of the ground. This role requires both good decision making and exquisite skill and Hunt was up to the task, tallying 20 possessions with a disposal efficiency of 90%. In addition to his four rebound 50s and three inside 50s, Hunt took a game high 10 marks to round out a complete performance.
DT: 85
SC: 99

9 JAMES KELLY was a pillar of strength on-ball for Geelong, winning 10 contested possessions from a total of 23. Hawthorn boast a core group of mature, hard-bodied midfielders and Kelly’s relentless physical pressure and seven tackles had a critical influence throughout the match. He was also effective in attack, sending the ball inside 50 on five occasions and kicking a goal late in the first quarter. Kelly hit the post in a goal attempt earlier in the term, one of three players on each team to find the woodwork.
DT: 104
SC: 98

11 JOEL COREY rotated between half back and the midfield, as he has done for much of the season, adding important strength and competitiveness around the stoppages. Corey won 13 of his 19 possessions in a contest and, in heavy traffic, provided the strength needed to counteract the mature and physical Hawthorn midfield. He made four tackles and won four clearances, feeding the ball out to skilful team mates and facilitating the rapid offensive spread that broke the game open. Corey was knocked unconscious in a tackle on Sam Mitchell and driven from the field on a stretcher with four minutes remaining in the game. He was cleared of any major injury but whether or not recovers sufficiently to play next week remains uncertain.
DT: 51
SC: 61

13 TOM LONERGAN played excellent defensive football for the entire match, rising to the challenge of negating star Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin. Lonergan has successfully played on Franklin in previous contests and outplayed his opponent again on Saturday night. He took five marks and made four tackles while limiting Franklin to just three marks and one goal.
DT: 48
SC: 48

14 JOEL SELWOOD has traditionally delivered his best football when Geelong meet the Hawks and Saturday night was no exception. Selwood was the Cat’s best midfielder, gathering 34 disposals, 19 of which were contested, and winning eight clearances. He willed himself to contests all over the ground, clearing defensive 50 three times and sending the Cats inside attacking 50 on three occasions. Through the second and third quarters the physical intensity was enormous and both teams struggled to score. Selwood kicked Geelong’s only goal in the second term and finished the match with seven tackles.  
DT: 128
SC: 151

16 DAWSON SIMPSON has continued to improve, benefiting from three consecutive weeks of senior football. He won a game high 23 hit-outs and was able to impose himself around the ground. Simpson had just four possessions but won four of them in a contest and disposed with 80% efficiency. More importantly he was able to cover the ground to provide a marking target and followed up well at ground level, making four tackles.
DT: 50
SC: 63

19 TAYLOR HUNT was given a tagging role on Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell from the first bounce. While the television commentary focused on his socks, Hunt let his boots do the talking by kicking the first goal of the match after Geelong traversed the full length of the field with a chain of unbroken possession. Mitchell found plenty of the football and was difficult to contain but Hunt was able to have an impact around the stoppages, making four tackles and wining three clearances.
DT: 49
SC: 42

21 JORDAN MURDOCH played his best game in blue and white hoops, tallying 17 possessions with 82.4% efficiency. Murdoch played on Luke Hodge in the first term and kept the Hawthorn captain very quiet early in the game. He made four tackles, took four marks and became dangerous as the match went on, using his speed and long kicking with great effect. Murdoch had the opportunity to kick two goals early in the third term but narrowly missed both chances. He was undeterred by this setback and found his range when it mattered most, kicking three goals in the final term to hold off a late surge from Hawthorn and secure victory.     
DT: 94
SC: 112

22 MITCH DUNCAN had a strong game for Geelong, collecting 22 disposals playing on a wing and through the centre. He made use of his strengths on the expansive MCG, tallying 18 kicks and sending the Cats inside 50 four times. Duncan worked hard when not in possession, making five tackles and running into space to take nine marks. His best marking effort was in the third quarter when he courageously backed into defensive 50 and a stampeding Lance Franklin to cut of a Hawthorn attack.  
DT: 113
SC: 121

23 JOSH CADDY played his most important game as a Cat on Saturday, following up his strong round 14 performance against the Dockers. Caddy demanded selection with excellent VFL performances and has carried that good form into the AFL with 16 disposals in his last two matches. He played as a half forward against the Hawks and was ferocious in his attack on the contest, making seven tackles and taking a career best seven marks. With seven minutes left in the final term and four points the difference, Caddy lived his finest moment in a Cats jumper. He had a set shot tucked up against the boundary and kicked a drop punt through the goals to put Geelong ahead by 10 points, their final winning margin.
DT: 89
SC: 91

26 TOM HAWKINS had opposed injured defender Ryan Shoenmakers in recent battles with Hawthorn but faced experienced recruit Brian Lake on Saturday night. Hawkins gathered nine disposals and took five marks for the match but did not have a great influence on the game. Lake was equally ineffective early but started taking marks and running off Hawkins to win and clear the ball in the second half. Hawkins sent the Cats inside attacking 50 on three occasions but was held goalless for the first time this season.
DT: 41
SC: 43

27 MATHEW STOKES was below his ball-winning best but still gave a valuable contribution, collecting 19 disposals. He played majority of the game through the midfield and his ability to run hard and spread Hawthorn’s zone defence helped Geelong effectively transition out of the back half. Separating the Hawks around the ground allowed Stokes to utilise his pace and send the Cats inside 50 three times. His work in the contest was just as important, winning three centre clearances.
DT: 67
SC: 76

28 ALLEN CHRISTENSEN displayed his appetite for the contest with a strong 17 possession game. Christensen was one of a number of fast young Cats that exposed Hawthorn’s lack of pace on Saturday night. He rebounded defensive 50 twice, sent the ball into the forward 50 twice, and disposed with over 82% efficiency. His skill in heavy traffic and physical pressure was also evident, making four tackles and winning four clearances.
DT: 62
SC: 80

29 CAMERON GUTHRIE played a very good game on Saturday night, an important cog in a well drilled Geelong defensive unit. The Cats ably accounted for the proficient Hawthorn forwards and kick-started offensive efforts with quick rebound. Guthrie took four marks in defence and 10 of his 11 disposals were effective. In an effort to change the course of the game Alastair Clarkson sent fresh legs in the form of dangerous substitute Cyril Rioli to play deep in the forward line. Guthrie regularly found himself close to goal, one on one with Rioli, and managed to keep the 2012 All-Australian scoreless.
DT: 52
SC: 54

31 JAMES PODSIADLY played an excellent game as a high marking forward. He covered the ground well, providing an option for defenders clearing the ball and rebounding out of defensive 50 three times himself. Podsiadly took six marks and was rarely beaten aerially, bringing the ball to ground for smaller Cats to pounce on. He sent Geelong inside 50 three times and finished the match with 12 possessions and a goal.
DT: 72
SC: 70

32 STEVEN MOTLOP was another member of Geelong’s young midfield contingent that exposed a lack of pace in the Hawthorn side. Motlop rotated through the middle but spent most of the game as a high half forward, gathering 13 possessions. With six of those disposals he sent the Cats inside 50 and he capitalised on the teams strong start, kicking the second goal of the match. With seconds left in the third term Motlop provided a highlight of the match, bursting through the midfield and past three chasing Hawks to hit Taylor Hunt on the lead 35m from goal.
DT: 55
SC: 62

41 JESSE STRINGER started as the substitute and was brought into the match for Dawson Simpson with two minutes remaining in the third term. Only seven minutes into the last quarter, Stringer made his presence known, taking a mark and playing on to kick a goal on the run from 45m out. Hawthorn dominated the next period of the game and went on a scoring rampage, limiting Stringer’s opportunities to win the ball. His composure under pressure and ability to seize the important opportunity he did have will have pleased the coaching staff and boosted the confidence of the young Cat.
DT: 28
SC: 21

44 COREY ENRIGHT played an excellent game, part of a Geelong defence that worked together flawlessly. Enright collected 22 possessions and disposed with over 86% efficiency. His aerial ability was on full display, taking nine marks, often against bigger opponents. Enright had one goal assist when pushing up the ground and effectively set up Geelong attacks from deep in the back line, rebounding out of defensive 50 seven times.
DT: 92
SC: 116

46 MARK BLICAVS competed well against Hawthorn, the first team he has played twice in his brief AFL career. He gathered 12 disposals and won 12 hit-outs, taking over the ruck duties for the entire final term after Dawson Simpson was subbed out of the game. Blicavs took six marks and snapped an opportunistic goal in the first quarter, showing incredible balance and flexibility for a man his size. Much has been made of his endurance and athleticism, but Blicavs made five tackles on Saturday night and has shown a growing appetite for the physical aspects of the game.
DT: 86
SC: 81