3 JIMMY BARTEL thrives in wet weather and Sunday evening was no exception. He had clean hands in slippery conditions, best exhibited when he gathered and snapped a goal in the first term. Bartel tallied 19 disposals playing most of the game as a forward, and set the standard for physical pressure with a game-high 15 tackles.
DT: 118
SC: 108

4 ANDREW MACKIE was a valuable contributor in a dominant back six for Geelong. He collected 20 possessions and took eight marks, all uncontested. The Cats were able to play a loose man in defence for much of the night, allowing Mackie and others to float across the half back line and repel attacks.
DT: 101
SC: 100

5 TRAVIS VARCOE had 15 disposals, narrowly topping his season average of 14.9 per game. Playing in defence in difficult, slippery conditions, Varcoe’s contribution was more impressive than his statistics might suggest. The Bulldogs dragged him deep into the forward line when possible, but his defensive work both in the air and at ground level his drastically improved and he was rarely beaten.
DT: 42
SC: 54

7 HARRY TAYLOR was simply dominant in his 150th game, celebrating the milestone in fine style. The Bulldogs lack a big marking target and could not prevent Taylor from taking a game-high 11 marks. He regularly peeled of his opponent to guard the goal square or support a teammate and steadily accumulated 23 disposals, including a game-high seven rebound 50s.
DT: 113
SC: 129

13 TOM LONERGAN took four marks and led the Cats with eight spoils. He collected 12 disposals and, remarkably, was effective with every single one of them. Lonergan always keeps a cool head under pressure, and without the threat of a big and potent forward line, he was able to have an impact very time he took possession.
DT: 58
SC: 83

14 JOEL SELWOOD has been rumoured to be carrying an injury over recent weeks and has spent more time forward as a result. His body may be battered but the Geellong skipper delivered the same level of intensity that has defined his career. Playing 75% of game time, Selwood made 11 tackles and won 13 disposals.
DT: 81
SC: 84

17 HAMISH McINTOSH battled against All-Australian ruckman Will Minson without the support of Dawson Simpson, who was a late withdrawal. McIntosh won 32 hit-outs, one shy of his direct opponent, and made a valuable contribution around the ground. He prevented Minson from gathering a single possession in the first term, and gathered 17 disposals of his won for the match.
DT: 98
SC: 100

20 STEVE JOHNSON was not issued a hard tag and made the most of the freedom the opposition allowed him. He was outstanding in the midfield, collecting 25 disposals and winning seven clearances. Johnson was fierce in his defensive application and made 14 tackles. He also kicked a classy goal in the second term with a set shot using the side-on snapping technique he pioneered.
DT: 131
SC: 119

21 JORDAN MURDOCH has consistently tallied disposals in the mid-teens this season and did so again on Sunday. He collected 13 touches against the Dogs and made seven tackles, applying the forward pressure that is a key requirement of his position. Murdoch missed a golden goal scoring opportunity in the second term, but converted his next chance early in the third in identical circumstances.
DT: 82
SC: 65

22 MITCH DUNCAN was 80% effective with his 20 disposals. Playing in midfield, he made 10 tackles and took five marks. Duncan kicked two goals in the second quarter, the first from a set shot and another 10 minutes later. He used the conditions to his advantage, skidding the ball through an open goal from 50m out.
DT: 115
SC: 124

23 JOSH CADDY delivered a strong performance in his third game back from injury. It was the first game he had started on the ground since injuring his foot in round five. Rotating between the midfield and forward line, Caddy collected 18 touches and sent the Cats inside 50 on three occasions.
DT: 80
SC: 95

24 JED BEWS was named as an emergency and was a last minute inclusion for James Kelly. He was one of just a couple of Cats who played a purely defensive role for the entire game, allowing more dangerous teammates the freedom to regularly rebound from defence. Bews gathered 10 possessions for the match, took two marks and made two spoils.
DT: 48
SC: 51

25 JARED RIVERS delivered yet another reliable and accountable performance in Geelong’s defence on Sunday. He is rarely beaten in a one-on-one contest, and adapted his approach perfectly to suit the conditions. In addition to his 12 disposals, Rivers took seven marks, laid seven tackles, and made seven spoils.
DT: 80
SC: 64

26 TOM HAWKINS remains in contention for the Coleman medal with two goals in difficult conditions for a power forward. He paddled the ball in front of him and soccered through his first goal on the verge of quarter time and was surprised by the outcome of a mongrel set shot in the final quarter that sailed straight throughout the goals. Hawkins was a constant threat, tallying 11 disposals and taking a game-high four contested marks.
DT: 59
SC: 72

28 ALLEN CHRISTENSEN was forced to earn his possessions, winning 11 of his 13 in a contest. Geelong has struggled all season to win clearances and the return of Christensen, and the physical presence he delivers, will be extremely valuable at the business end of the season. He won four clearances, made five tackles and showed he has the outside class to match his contested ability with a snap goal in the second quarter.
DT: 67
SC: 79

29 CAMERON GUTHRIE took on the Bulldog’s All-Australian captain Ryan Griffen in a defensive midfield role. Griffen collected 10 disposals in the third quarter but Guthrie took the honours in the other three, collecting 20 disposals and winning five clearances. He made 11 tackles and disposed with 95% efficiency, a sensational effort in slippery conditions.
DT: 95
SC: 100

32 STEVEN MOTLOP has steadily improved since returning from injury, improving his consistency to match moments of brilliance. On Sunday evening he delivered both, winning 30 disposals and producing runs and passes that would be impossible for most players in perfect weather. He missed the chance to score two goals but he set up two for teammates and entered forward 50 on three occasions.
DT: 112
SC: 124

33 GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH plays a contested style of football that is well suited to wet weather, but did not have his best game. He tallied 14 disposals playing in the midfield and won two clearances. He missed a chance to kick a much needed goal on the cusp of three quarter time, when he was substituted for Brad Hartman who came on for his second AFL game.
DT: 47
SC: 57

38 BRAD HARTMAN was able to spend the first three quarters dry and warm in a tracksuit on the bench, but would have preferred to be out on the ground. At the final break he got his chance, activated for George Horlin-Smith who was rested for the final term. Hartman won two clearances with his two kicks and was unlucky to be denied a free kick in a goal scoring area soon after coming on.
DT: 18
SC: 12

39 SHANE KERSTEN started the game in brilliant fashion, scoring a goal inside the opening minute of the game with the first of his eight touches. Running onto the ball inside forward 50, he paddled it in front of him before taking possession and was able to skid the ball through from an impossible angle while being tackled by an opponent. Kersten kicked his second with a set shot in the third term that was far more orthodox but no less important.
DT: 53
SC: 57

44 COREY ENRIGHT used all of his experience and skill to expose the young Bulldog forward line in difficult conditions. The Geelong veteran collected 20 disposals across half back, regularly working off his direct opponent to intercept forward entries. He had strong hands to take four marks and even pushed forward to kick inside 50 after a running bounce.
DT: 70
SC: 66

46 MARK BLICAVS had the same level of experience as many of his young Bulldog opponents, but played with the composure of a seasoned veteran. Utilised all over the ground as he so often is, Blicavs won 11 disposals and 19 hit-outs. He did the simple things effectively and committed himself to each contest, two crucial elements of a strong wet weather performance.
DT: 63
SC: 56