DT: 84
SC: 88
4 ANDREW MACKIE had 18 kicks and six handballs playing across the half back line. He ably accounted for his direct opponent and was regularly able to break out of defence to have an impact further up the ground. In addition to taking seven marks, Mackie transitioned through the middle of the ground to kick the Cats inside 50 on six occasions and provide one goal assist.
DT: 90
SC: 68
5 TRAVIS VARCOE tallied 15 disposals in an influential performance, his best since returning to the senior side. He hassled the opposition relentlessly and contributed five tackles to the team total of 95. Finishing with a possession tally did not reflect his impact, Varcoe had six score involvements before kicking a goal in the final term.
DT: 82
SC:
7 HARRY TAYLOR dominated Kurt Tippett, the in-form key forward of the competition. Taylor amassed 21 disposals and rebounded defensive 50 on seven occasions, playing the entire match in the back line. He limited Tippett to one goal with superior aerial skill, performing nine defensive acts and taking nine marks.
DT: 97
SC: 103
9 JAMES KELLY thrived in the physical battle against the hard-bodied Sydney midfield, making nine tackles. The Swans found it difficult to break out of the Geelong forward line and transition through the centre of the ground, thanks to a Kelly lead defensive onslaught that was adopted by the entire Cats line up. Kelly tallied 28 possessions and kicked inside 50 six times.
DT: 116
SC: 115
11 JOEL COREY has had a run of good form over recent weeks and delivered another strong performance against the Swans. Sydney pride themselves on their physicality and stoppage work, a game-style Corey was able to effectively combat with a game high 10 tackles. He won three clearances and gathered 20 disposals playing predominantly at half forward and provided excellent service to the Cats’ key targets through five first class forward 50 entries.
DT: 97
SC: 91
13 TOM LONERGAN was a pillar of strength in the back half and a key contributor to an outstanding defensive exhibition from the Cats. He tallied 12 disposals, of which 11 were effective, and took five marks. His defensive efforts were excellent against Sydney giants Pyke and Mumford, performing five pressure acts and making five tackles.
DT: 67
SC: 63
14 JOEL SELWOOD lead the Cats with three clearance from the centre and three in general play. As seems to be the case most weeks, he came off under the blood rule early in the match after a knock to the nose from Kieran Jack. Undeterred, the Cats skipper went on the gather 24 disposals and make six tackles. He was again influential in the forward line, sending Geelong inside 50 six times, providing three goal assists, and kicking two goals himself.
DT: 110
SC: 131
20 STEVE JOHNSON was a valuable contributor in the midfield and sensational in front of goal. He collected 26 disposals and won four clearances, showing superb skill and creativity through the centre of the ground. When in the defensive half, Johnson backed in his foot skills to find a team mate in the centre corridor and generate rapid transition. Inside forward 50 his crumbing ability was on full display with four crafty goals, the most of any player on the ground and Johnson’s best output for the season.
DT: 132
SC: 134
22 MITCH DUNCAN accumulated 30 disposals in an excellent on-ball performance. He tallied 25 uncontested possessions and took nine marks, the results of hard running to both ends of the ground. He provided important support for the Geelong defence, backing into marking contests to bring the ball to ground and applying pressure to the Sydney small forwards.
DT: 128
SC: 120
23 JOSH CADDY is playing well and continues to hold out a number of Cats who are pushing for selection with strong VFL performances. He played a majority of the game in and around the attacking 50, gathering 17 possessions. Caddy didn’t contribute to the scoreboard but he won two clearances, contesting well around stoppages and effectively battling the experienced Sydney defence in the air.
DT: 49
SC: 51
25 JARED RIVERS has slotted seamlessly into the Geelong defence and delivered a strong performance on Saturday evening. Sydney tried to stretch the Cats defence at times by moving the talented Jesse White and their two ruckman alongside Kurt Tippet in the forward line. Rivers was able to beat these bigger opponents in aerial duels and expose the Swans’ lack of pace with 14 quality possessions that initiated rapid rebound.
DT: 66
SC: 68
26 TOM HAWKINS is yet to return to full fitness and Geelong were fortunately in a position to sub him out of the game at three quarter time, giving him the best possible preparation for the upcoming finals series. He took four makes, three of which were inside 50, and gathered seven disposals. Hawkins has been a very accurate set shot this season, but was uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal, kicking three behinds. He still demanded the attention of Sydney’s best defender and will have benefited from the managed output over the last fortnight.
DT: 35
SC: 26
27 MATHEW STOKES played an outstanding game and was the most prolific ball winner on the ground with a massive 37 disposals. The Cats transitioned quickly by running in numbers and sharing the ball around, a strategy executed with great effect by Stokes and resulting in a total of 27 handballs. His contested efforts were equally influential, winning three clearances and making 7 tackles.
DT: 118
SC: 141
28 ALLEN CHRISTENSEN attacked the stoppages with intent, winning three clearances and three free kicks in the midfield. He was comfortable competing against Sydney on-ballers with bigger bodies and more experience, relishing the physical contest. Christensen made five tackles and finished the match with a total of 23 disposals.
DT: 87
SC: 91
29 CAMERON GUTHRIE continues to perform at a very high level, holding his place in the team despite a long list of young Cats mounting strong challenges for selection. His defensive efforts have been sound for a number of weeks now and, with the confidence generated by regular selection, he is contributing in the midfield as well. Guthrie tallied 20 disposals with 100% efficiency, showing he can combine his ability in the air with excellent ball use.
DT: 79
SC: 79
30 NATHAN VARDY faced his biggest challenge to date as the Cats’ primary ruckman, battling Mike Pyke and Shane Mumford. His job was not made any easier when he received a heavy blow to the back of the head from the knee of Mumford in the second centre bounce of the match. He was forced from the field for 20 minutes while he was assessed for concussion. Vardy returned after quarter time to gather four disposals and win nine hit outs, a numerical tally that does not reflect his influence both in the air and at ground level.
DT: 28
SC: 30
31 JAMES PODSIADLY played a vital role in the Geelong forward line, firstly drawing tall defenders away from the inhibited Tom Hawkins, and then providing the sole marking target during the later stages of the match. He collected 15 possessions and kicked a goal in the final quarter. One of his six marks was a big leap over the top of a pack inside attacking 50, an effort eclipsed only minutes later by a Steven Motlop.
DT: 72
SC: 50
32 STEVEN MOTLOP participated in a sensational exchange of miraculous efforts with team mate Steve Johnson. Rotating between the midfield and forward line, he gathered 19 disposals through a combination of hard-running and mercurial skill. Motlop kicked three goals, one less than Johnson, but clearly won the contest for highlight of the match. With just two minutes left in the game and the result beyond doubt, Motlop launched over the top of Mitch Duncan to take a genuine mark of the year contender that delighted the capacity crowd.
DT: 100
SC: 92
35 PAUL CHAPMAN started the match as the substitute but did not have to wait long before he was into the action, brought on the field in the first quarter while Nathan Vardy was assessed for concussion. In a 20 minute burst he collected nine disposals, each applauded by a home crowd happy to have Chapman back in the side. They erupted with applause as he scooped up a loose ball deep inside 50, ran into open goal and booted the Sherrin into the stands. Subbed back in at the three quarter time break, he gathered another six disposals to complete a fine performance and perfect preparation for the upcoming finals.
DT: 59
SC: 61
44 COREY ENRIGHT was a stand out player in a comprehensive team performance, gathering 29 disposals in defence. Taking a game high 10 marks, he continually intercepted Sydney entries and sent the ball back with interest. Enright contributed six inside 50s and two goal assists, executing with 86.2% efficiency.
DT: 124
SC: 126
46 MARK BLICAVS appeared set to battle the Swans’ dangerous ruck duo alone after Vardy went down in the second centre bounce of the match. During the 20 minutes Vardy was off the field, Blicavs relished the responsibility and played an impressive brand of physical football that he continued for the entire match. He won 11 hit-outs and 12 disposals, rotating forward when not required to ruck. Blicavs’ followed up his tap work with great effect, making five tackles and winning two centre clearances.
DT: 73
SC: 69
