DT: 61
SC: 76
3 JIMMY BARTEL competed inside the centre square for the opening bounce and was influential playing on the ball, passing to Selwood inside 50 for Geelong’s first goal. His second quarter was outstanding, rotating forward and kicking a goal with one of his 10 possessions for the term. Bartel was one of the best players in a big win for the Cats, finishing the game with 32 disposals.
DT: 148
SC: 152
4 ANDREW MACKIE collected eight first quarter touches from the half back line and continued to provide excellent rebound for the remainder of the game. He kicked long with 12 of his 26 disposals, including a set shot goal in the second quarter from beyond the 50m arc.
DT: 131
SC: 117
5 TRAVIS VARCOE was one of two last minute inclusions after Jared Rivers and Steve Johnson were withdrawn from the team on the morning of the match. Playing in the back half, an area he has been exposed to a lot this season, Varcoe’s defensive efforts were good, particularly in aerial contests where he took seven marks. With ball in hand he was even better, collecting 18 disposals.
DT: 63
SC: 60
7 HARRY TAYLOR has had many memorable battles with St Kilda’s Nick Reiwolt, but Sunday was not one of them. He comfortably managed the Saints skipper, who received very poor service from his overwhelmed midfield. Taylor gathered 11 disposals and was moved into the forward line for the second half but could not contribute to the Cats’ big score.
DT: 42
SC: 66
9 JAMES KELLY started alongside Jimmy Bartel for the game’s first bounce and played the first half on the ball. He steadily accumulated 25 possessions and made a game-high 11 tackles, always a feature of Kelly’s game. There was a positional shake-up at half time and Kelly was returned to the back line, where he played out the rest of the match.
DT: 129
SC: 125
11 DARCY LANG was selected for his first game in the AFL, but had to wait two quarters wearing the substitute vest before running onto the ground. He was activated at half time for George Horlin-Smith and was able to enjoy his debut with the result all but determined. Lang tallied seven disposals, including a classy set-shot goal, and made six tackles, second only to Kelly for the Cats.
DT: 57
SC: 37
12 JESSE STRINGER was lively early, pouncing on a loose ball in the first term and kicking an excellent crumbers goal. Later in the quarter he bravely jumped to mark a high kick and was crunched by three opponents. Bruised but not beaten, Stringer played out the rest of the game and gathered nine disposals.
DT: 47
SC: 57
13 TOM LONERGAN dominated St Kilda’s second tall forward Tom Lee, who was subbed off before half time with just two touches. From that point on Lonergan was free to marshal Geelong’s near impenetrable back line. He was also able to push up the ground, contributing two score assists with his 14 disposals.
DT: 58
SC: 69
14 JOEL SELWOOD started the game forward of centre and provided Geelong’s first goal with a set shot after a leading mark. Less than 10 minutes later he had his second, this time with a 50m kick on the run. The Geelong captain played only short bursts in the midfield, but still received some close attention from young Saint Maverick Weller. Selwood added a third goal in the fourth term and had 11 possessions by the final siren.
DT: 74
SC: 100
16 DAWSON SIMPSON was omitted from the side that narrowly defeated Carlton and replaced Hamish McIntosh for the match on Sunday. He was far and away the best ruckman on the ground, eclipsing St. Kilda’s collective total of 21 hit-outs with 52 himself. Simpson was also more effective at ground level, adding eight disposals and two clearances.
DT: 87
SC: 117
21 JORDAN MURDOCH took an excellent mark at full pace in the first term, but hit the post with his set shot. He struck an even smaller target at the start of the second, this time finding a tiny opening between three Saints for the opening goal of the quarter. Murdoch collected 14 disposals and won two clearances during brief bursts in the centre. He pounced on a sloppy mistake from the Saints late in the game, intercepting a handball and snapping his second goal.
DT: 73
SC: 82
22 MITCH DUNCAN took a strong contested mark and converted the set shot opportunity from long range early in the game. His second goal was almost a carbon copy of the first, taking a mark and then kicking truly from 50m out. Duncan collected 22 disposals and took 13 marks, with his third goal coming yet again from a grab just inside the 50m arc.
DT: 124
SC: 136
26 TOM HAWKINS continued his run of imposing form with a dominant performance against the Saints on Sunday. He was the most influential big man on the ground, but went most of the game without a goal. He took 13 marks and collected 20 touches, yet it took almost three quarters for him to contribute a major. He added two more in the last term taking his final tally to three, along with five inside 50s and two goal assists.
DT: 118
SC: 117
27 MATHEW STOKES returned to the forward line last week and showed he has lost none of the goal scoring nous that made him such a successful small forward. Against St Kilda he returned to his now familiar role in the midfield, where he gathered a game-high 36 disposals. Stokes won a game-high seven clearances, as well as contributing seven inside 50s and a goal.
DT: 141
SC: 147
29 CAMERON GUTHRIE began the game with a shut-down role on emerging midfield star Jack Steven. He executed his role with great effect, limiting Steven to 19 disposals while gathering 15 himself and winning an equal game-high two centre clearances. Guthrie was relieved of his duties in the second half of the match, spending time in defence to allow young Cats some exposure to the midfield.
DT: 52
SC: 61
32 STEVEN MOTLOP was Geelong’s best player in the opening quarter, leading the way with 10 first term touches. In his sixth game back from a long-term injury, Motlop had the match fitness to run out the rest of game strongly. He took 10 marks and finished with a total of 29 possessions.
DT: 115
SC: 112
33 GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH gathered eight disposals, playing predominantly in the midfield before his was substituted at half time. The young Cat did not suffer an injury but, after 11 straight senior appearances and with the game beyond doubt, he was able to be rested. The move also allowed Darcy Lang to enjoy two full quarters in his debut match.
DT: 31
SC: 36
34 JOSH WALKER is one of a number of players eager to claim the position of second key forward and he mounted a strong case with three goals against the Saints. He presented well, taking five marks, and contributed majors in each of the first three quarters. The quarter time siren sounded as Walker took his first kick for goal, which required the assistance of a video replay before it was confirmed.
DT: 60
SC: 61
36 BRAD HARTMAN was one of two Geelong debutants and was impressive in his first AFL appearance. A raw talent drafted at the end of 2012, Hartman had to improve his contested game to reach AFL standard and certainly delivered on debut, earning a gash above the eye for his efforts. Hartman tallied 14 disposals and won two clearances when thrust into the midfield during the second half.
DT: 59
SC: 61
44 COREY ENRIGHT was able to do as he pleased on Sunday, free to rebound and support his fellow defenders with very little pressure from his direct opponent. He tallied 11 handball receives and rebounded defensive 50 three times on the few occasions St Kilda penetrated the arc. Enright finished with a total 22 disposals, rounding out yet another fine performance from the ever-reliable defender.
DT: 92
SC: 101
46 MARK BLICAVS was thrown a number of challenges throughout the match, as has become the norm for the developing utility. There are few bigger challenges than playing on Nick Reiwolt, a task Blicavs performed admirably for the entire second half. He won two clearances and 11 hit-outs when pinch hitting in the ruck, and finished the match with 18 disposals.
DT: 80
SC: 90
