3 JIMMY BARTEL was a general on the field, leading by example in the biggest game of the year. In a poll of AFL players at the start of the season, Bartel was voted as the league’s best clutch player, leagues ahead of every other contender. True to form, Bartel had 25 disposals in a hard fought, high pressure encounter. His physical pressure was excellent, as was his aerial work, taking nine marks.
DT: 114
SC: 102

4 ANDREW MACKIE was an unlikely starter after he sustained a slight hamstring strain against the Eagles and was substituted out of the game. The defender was unable to provide is usual dash and drive but still made a valuable contribution in the back line. Mackie had 12 disposals and rebounded defensive 50 three times before he was taken off at the final break for starting substitute Jackson Sheringham.
DT: 42
SC: 57

5 TRAVIS VARCOE spent an entire summer haunted by a missed opportunity in last year’s Preliminary Final. When a similar opportunity presented itself in the opening quarter he did not repeat his mistake, kicking accurately on the run to score the first goal of the match. Varcoe had 10 disposals playing predominantly in the forward line. On two occasions he was forced to compete in the air against Ben McEvoy deep in defence and on both occasions he prevented Hawthorn from scoring.
DT: 54
SC: 50

7 HARRY TAYLOR was selected by Hawks captain Luke Hodge as the Geelong player he would most like to have at Hawthorn. Taylor kept the reigning Coleman medalist Jarryd Roughead goalless, showing just why the opposition rate him so highly. The Geelong vice captain collected 16 disposals with 87.5% efficiency and was dominant in the air. He took eight marks, with his final grab taken deep in defence against Roughead, who managed just three for the match.
DT: 69
SC: 77

9 JAMES KELLY was far from the most prolific ball winner for Geelong but was arguably their most important player. He delivered his best performance since taking on a new role in defence, restricting Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli to just seven disposals. In a high pressure contest Kelly was effective with 14 of his 15 disposals, providing rapid and reliable rebound from the back half.
DT: 55
SC: 72

13 TOM LONERGAN has been outstanding on the monster key forwards so far this season. Hawthorn’s Jack Gunston was an altogether different challenge; a mobile midsize forward with great endurance and a deadly accurate set shot. Gunston had Lonergan’s measure in the first half and was the most dangerous forward on the ground. Lonergan had just four disposals but, more importantly, he was able to adjust his approach and even up the contest after half time.
DT: 12
SC: 16

14 JOEL SELWOOD has been a key player in the rivalry between Geelong and Hawthorn for his entire career and he again had an influence on Monday. Selwood won eight clearances with his 20 disposals, including a game-high five clearances won at centre bounces. It was not his best day with ball in hand, thanks largely to tagger Will Langdon, but his commitment to physical pressure was exemplary. This was best displayed when he forced a spillage with a strong tackle inside attacking 50 that resulted in a Murdoch goal and broke the deadlock midway through the third term.
DT: 58
SC: 83

16 DAWSON SIMPSON played an excellent game, competing well both in the air and at ground level. He won 19 hit-outs, more than any other ruckman on the ground, and continues to work well in tandem with Hamish McIntosh. The contest was fierce from the outset and the Cat’s ability to maintain physical pressure consistently over four quarters contributed greatly to their win. This application started in the middle with Simpson, who made six tackles and used every bit of his 116kg frame to assist the Geelong midfield once the ball went to ground.
DT: 52
SC: 69

17 HAMISH McINTOSH won 14 hit-outs and 17 disposals, complementing Dawson Simpson in the middle and stretching an undersized Hawthorn defence when playing forward. Contested marking has become a feature of his game and a big grab over the top of three opponents was the best of his six on Monday. McIntosh hit the post from 10m out on the quarter time siren, but redeemed himself with an important goal from long range in the second term.
DT: 91
SC: 96

19 TAYLOR HUNT had a shaky start but got better as the game went on. He had 16 disposals playing as a permanent member of Geelong’s back six. Responsible for a few critical turnovers early in the match, the young Cat did not loose his confidence, effectively executing the Geelong’s forward press with six tackles and three inside 50s.
DT: 65
SC: 58

20 STEVE JOHNSON loves to perform on the biggest stage and Easter Monday was no exception. He was dominant from the outset and lead the possession tally at every change, finishing the match with a game-high 34 disposals. In a complete performance, Johnson took 10 marks, won six clearances, and sent the Cats inside 50 six times. He stopped goals, set up goals, and kicked three himself, including a 50m set shot in the last term to seal the game.
DT: 139
SC: 141

21 JORDAN MURDOCH was not daunted by the big occasion, playing a valuable part in yet another Easter Monday blockbuster. The speedy small forward kicked two important goals and collected thirteen disposals. Murdoch kicked three last-quarter goals against the Hawks in round 15 last year and he again scored when it really counted in the closing stages of the match. Trailing by one point 14 minutes into the final term, Murdoch took a mark 50m out and, with a perfectly struck set shot, put the Cats five points ahead.
DT: 68
SC: 72

22 MITCH DUNACN was elevated into Geelong’s leadership group at the start of the year and continues to elevate his game with this added responsibility. In the biggest match of the year to date, Duncan delivered an excellent performance, collecting 22 disposals in the midfield. He contributed five rebound 50s and six inside 50s, working tirelessly to make an impact at both ends of the ground. Following some heated conflict between Jordan Lewis and fellow Club leader Steve Johnson, Duncan caught Lewis in a bone-crunching tackle that was typical of the hard fought contest and rewarded with a free kick.
DT: 95
SC: 116

25 JARED RIVERS played his best game in Cats colours against West Coast and carried his good form into Monday’s top of the table clash. Geelong currently has the best defence in the league and Rivers has become a key contributor in their back six. He collected 14 disposals with 85.7% efficiency and was just as influential in the air, taking seven marks and making a game-high 11 spoils.
DT: 63
SC: 89

26 TOM HAWKINS could not be contained by Hawthorn’s undersized defence, brutalising their backmen in a dominant forward performance. He took a contested mark and kicked a goal 10 minutes into the first term, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Hawkins missed his next three shots but never lost his confidence, converting his next four attempts to finish with a game-defining five goal haul. Hawthorn conceded nine marks inside 50 per game in the first four rounds but Hawkins was able to take eight of his 10 marks inside the arc. The big Cat got better as the game went on, kicking three goals in the final term which ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.
DT: 113
SC: 148

27 MATHEW STOKES was able to find time and space in a hotly contested game. Forward of centre he was instrumental, providing two goal assists at crucial moments. Through hard running he was able to win 18 uncontested possessions from a total of 24. Stokes was made to earn one disposal in the second quarter when former team mate Jonathan Simpkin threw his hand at the ball to spoil but instead found Stokes’ eye, forcing him from the field.
DT: 78
SC: 87

29 CAMERON GUTHRIE was not out of place competing at the opening bounce along side some of the best onballers in the game. A new member of Geelong’s midfield brigade, Guthrie collected 14 disposals, took a game-high five running bounces and kicked a goal. The match was played with enormous physical intensity and Guthrie proved he was up to the task early in the game, earning a free kick with the first of his seven tackles after an committed chase.
DT: 79
SC: 87

31 GEORGE BURBURY gained valuable exposure to football at the elite level in the first blockbuster of his career. The medium sized forward collected 11 disposals, took three marks and sent Geelong inside 50 on three occasions. Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson can be devastating when allowed to leave his direct opponent and double-team key forwards. He went to Burbury with this ambition but the young Cat was able to draw Gibson to the ball and isolate Tom Hawkins close to goal.
DT: 49
SC: 48

33 GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH played an excellent game as an inside midfielder, with 15 disposals and three clearances. He fought hard in congestion, winning 12 contested possessions and feeding the ball out to team mates in space. Horlin-Smith provided one of the highlights of the match with a courageous mark against Luke Hodge. Surrounded by three opponents on the defensive edge of the centre square, a turnover goal was the most likely result if the ball spilt to ground. With the Hawthorn captain bearing down, Horlin-Smith launched himself into the air, taking the heavy contact and the mark.
DT: 57
SC: 70

34 JOSH WALKER* kicked four goals on Hawk Brian Lake in the VFL on Saturday night before making a surprise appearance at the MCG on Monday. In a dominant display reminiscent of Geelong gun Tom Hawkins, Walker took two contested marks inside 50 and converted both shots. In an Easter weekend in which the AFL experimented with names on jumpers, Josh Walker made a name for himself.
DT:*
SC:*

38 JACKSON SHERINGHAM was unlucky to be dropped for the West Coast clash after a strong performance against Colllingwood. Returning to the side on Monday, Sheringham was the starting substitute and forced to wait three quarters to get his second taste of AFL football this year. Geelong subbed out Andrew Mackie at three quarter time as a precautionary measure to protect his tight hamstring. Sheringham took Mackie’s position deep in the back line, winning a clearance and rebounding defensive 50 with his two possessions.
DT: 6
SC: 14

44 COREY ENRIGHT was utilised all over the ground and made an impact everywhere he played. The oldest man on the ground, Enright spent most of the first half on speedy wingman Stephen Hill, you youngest player in either side. Enright collected 16 disposals and, unusually for the defender, won three clearances. He also managed to kick two goals, equalling a career high he set more than six years ago. Throwing the ball onto his boot opportunistically, both shots spun in an indescribable fashion but sailed through the goals.
DT: 69
SC: 97

46 MARC BLICAVS was an unlikely debutant against the Hawks in round one last year and has improved rapidly since then. In his 27th AFL game, and fourth against Hawthorn, Blicavs made a valuable contribution. He gathered eight disposals with 87.5% efficiency and won four hit-outs during the brief periods he competed in the ruck. Blicavs spent most of the game as a roaming utility, competing against David Hale, Jarryd Roughead and Ben McEvoy at different times during the match.
DT: 33
SC: 37