2 BILLIE SMEDTS has played predominantly in defence this season and collected 12 disposals in the back line on Saturday. The Suns boast a tall and athletic forward line and Smedts was forced to regularly compete against bigger opponents in aerial contests. His effectiveness at ground level was also limited, contributing two rebound 50s, two inside 50s, and two tackles.
DT: 44
SC: 56

3 JIMMY BARTEL started the match in the centre square, as he has done regularly over the past few weeks, and won two clearances from centre bounces. Continually shuffled around the field throughout the match, Bartel collected 19 disposals. He executed with 89.5% efficiency but did not have a great influence on the match.
DT: 60
SC: 78

4 ANDREW MACKIE earned All-Australian selection last year as a rebounding weapon, but the threat was largely nullified by the Gold Coast. Due to the absence of Harry Taylor, Mackie was required in a largely defensive capacity. He provided one goal assist with his 17 possessions and only managed four rebound 50s.
DT: 60
SC: 74

5 TRAVIS VARCOE was one of Geelong’s better performers, rotating between the forward and back flanks. He was 90% effective with his 20 touches and contributed a goal assist in the Cats’ best passage of play. Bursting through the midfield in numbers, Geelong flicked the ball around by hand before Varcoe delivered the ball to Kersten who kicked the goal. Varoce deserved a goal himself, but was unable to convert the opportunity he earned after a long chase and excellent tackle.
DT: 65
SC: 77

9 JAMES KELLY was outstanding in the first half, gathering 16 disposals predominantly in the midfield. He won three clearances when following the ball and laid five tackles for the match. Kelly provided more support in defence but had little influence after the main break, finishing the match with 20 touches.
DT: 69
SC: 77

13 TOM LONERGAN took on emerging talent Tom Lynch, who has been Gold Coast’s most consistent and dangerous forward this year. The ever-reliable Lonergan took the honours in the contest, particularly in the second half when the Suns’ service was more consistent. He tallied 11 disposals and kept Lynch to just one goal.
DT: 51
SC: 61

14 JOEL SELWOOD was one of Geelong’s most important contributors. He collected 28 disposals and led the Cats with seven clearances, five of which were won at centre bounces. Selwood won a lot of his possessions in the back half and rebounded five times, but will be disappointed with his three disposals effort in the final term when the game was still alive.
DT: 91
SC: 103

17 HAMISH McINTOSH was one of six change to the Geelong line up, replacing fellow big man Dawson Simpson. McIntosh had very little assistance in the ruck with Blicavs required in a defensive role and battled hard for his 10 possessions. He did well to win a game-high 27 hit-outs, but tired towards the end of the match.
DT: 65
SC: 65

20 STEVE JOHNSON was a welcome return after missing the match against St Kilda. He started the game forward and was productive early, punishing a turnover with a goal midway through the opening term. Johnson spent less time in the midfield than usual yet still managed to accumulate 27 possessions. He took six marks and kicked inside 50 on three occasions.
DT: 103
SC: 88

21 JORDAN MURDOCH has developed into a consistent performer this season but was sporadically involved in the play on Saturday. He tallied 12 disposals playing as a small forward and contributed two inside 50s. Murdoch managed just one tackle, which is usually a strength of his and is a vital component of the team forward pressure Geelong aims to apply against every opponent.
DT: 43
SC: 33

22 MITCH DUNCAN was just about the best Cat in the ground, particularly in the second half when  the Suns gained ascendancy. He led the Cats with 29 possessions, consistently supporting the Geelong defence and driving forward when possible. Duncan took six marks and had five inside 50s, the first of which was a beautifully lofted pass to debutante Shane Kersten for his first kick and first goal in the AFL.
DT: 100
SC: 102

23 JOSH CADDY returned to the Geelong side for his first game since round four. He started the match as the substitute and replaced Mathew Stokes who left the filed with an ankle injury five minutes into the second term. Up against his old side, Caddy collected 12 disposals, won a single clearance, and provided one inside 50.
DT: 32
SC: 33

25 JARED RIVERS delivered one of his best performances of the year, defending against much bigger opponents with great effect. In aerial contests he was consistently hard to beat, taking six marks and leading the Cats with nine spoils. He was 93.3% effective with his 15 possessions and rebound defensive 50 four times.
DT: 59
SC: 87

26 TOM HAWKINS has been able to rag-doll opponents with ease this season but found it difficult to get separation from Suns key defender Sam May. He took just three marks and had limited opportunities to make an impact on the game. Despite this Hawkins managed to score with five of his eight disposals, kicking three goals for the game.
DT: 54
SC: 52

27 MATHEW STOKES has been a consistent performer and prolific ball winner over the past 18 months, qualities that were most appreciated in his absence on Saturday evening. In the opening minutes of the second quarter Stokes was forced from the field with an injured ankle. He was replaced by starting substitute Josh Caddy and will await scans to determine the extent of the damage.
DT: 3
SC: 5

28 ALLEN CHRISTENSEN last represented the Cats in a Preliminary Final in September last year. Sidelined with a back injury, he played four games in the VFL before making an impressive return against the Gold Coast. He was outstanding early in the game and led the Cats with eight first term disposals. He tired towards the end of the match but still manage to contribute three clearances, three rebound 50s, and five inside 50s with his 21 possessions.
DT: 80
SC: 83

29 CAMERON GUTHRIE was issued the monumental challenge of curtailing reigning Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett. Wearing the former Cats’ old number, Guthrie did an excellent job in the opening term, holding Ablett to seven touches while winning eight himself. Ablett gathered more than 30 disposals by the final siren but shutting him down entirely is impossible. Guthrie continued to hunt the ball while attending to his defensive duties, winning five clearances with his 21 possessions.
DT: 67
SC: 75

32 STEVEN MOTLOP has improved with every game since returning from injury and Saturday evening was another step closer to his best. He gathered 24 disposals and displayed the pace and creativity that made him such a dangerous prospect in 2013. Motlop led the Cats with nine marks and seven inside 50s. He also kicked three goals, including a brilliant snap from the boundary in the second quarter and another just one minute into the second half.
DT: 125
SC: 105

34 JOSH WALKER was unable to repeat the career-best three goal effort he delivered against the Saints. He struggled to win the ball in the forward line but battled admirably in the ruck as back-up to Hamish McIntosh. Despite giving away 10cm to Suns ruckman Zac Smith, Walker won eight hit-outs along with his 10 possessions.
DT: 44
SC: 52

39 SHANE KERSTEN was a shining light in a disappointing performance against the Suns. He was simply outstanding on debut, kicking goal with his first kick and adding a second before quarter time. Kersten was confident and composed, taking seven marks along with 10 possessions. As a second marking target he provided excellent support for Tom Hawkins, who shepherded a long range attempt from Kersten through for his third goal.
DT: 85
SC: 72

44 COREY ENRIGHT was aggressive early in the game and picked off an errant handball to score a turnover goal in the latter part of the first term. As the game progressed he was required to defend more and more, often against much bigger opponents. Gold Coast successfully executed their plans to restrict Geelong’s rebound but Enright still made the most of his opportunities, effective with 16 of his 18 possessions.
DT: 74
SC: 99

46 MARC BLICAVS has played in every position over his short career and was this week asked to take up a key defensive post in the absence of Harry Taylor. The versatile young Cat was up for the challenge despite his limited exposure in the role. He made five spoils and was effective with every one of his nine disposals.
DT: 34
SC: 66