The Cats have crossed the continent and come away with the four points against North Melbourne, here is what we learnt thanks to Deakin University.

The brothers Guthrie

There’s probably a bit of daylight between Cameron Guthrie and the next Cat in terms of Carji Greeves Medal voting at the moment. Guthrie’s season has been exemplary, and he continued that on Wednesday evening with 29 disposals, six clearances and 430m gained. But it was the return of his brother, Zach, that also got Cats fans excited with two goals in a dashing role off half back. Zach’s sure hands in defence was another good sign for the Cats, who continue to show the depth exists for a long run into finals.

 

Hawkins’ home away from home

Tom Hawkins loves a trip to Brisbane. Wednesday night was the big forward’s 10th game at the GABBA and following his three goals, it is now the venue he’s kicked the most goals at outside of Victoria with his tally now sitting at 28 goals which also gives him his equal highest goal average for any ground he’s played more than three games at. 2020 has seen a continual evolution of Hawkins as a forward. He now leads the AFL for goal assists and sits fourth in the Coleman medal. His goalkicking on Wednesday night showed that his accuracy hasn’t dropped and if anything is only trumped by his ability to hit teammates up around the ground.

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Hawkins makes it look easy (R10)

Tom Hawkins at his tantalising best after a terrific mark and equally impressive finish from the boundary

Flyin’ Gryan

We can all be guilty of comparing current Cats with stars of the past. But for Gryan Miers, his combination of zip, goal sense and incredible fitness levels makes him a unique Geelong player in every sense of the word. Whilst Stevie Johnson’s goal sense was in a league of its own, he didn’t necessarily combine the other two attributes of Miers. Miers four goals on Wednesday night was his career high and his ability to kick goals when his teammates were struggling was a huge part of the Cats being able to create and maintain scoreboard pressure on the Roos

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Miers with a career best haul

Gryan Miers was at his crafty best with four fantastic goals in the win over the Roos

 

Saint Steven

Much has been made of the Cats recruit Jack Steven and his form in 2020. Steven’s interrupted start to the season was well publicised and the Cats have had a rigid plan in place to manage Steven through this season to have him fit and firing for the chance the Cats are in finals calculations. Steven was the top ranked player at quarter time with six kicks, three tackles, 257m gained and 15 pressure acts. He finished the game off 21 disposals at 76% disposal efficiency in a display that will encourage the Cats coaches and fans.