There were plenty of standout performances on Saturday afternoon, as Geelong solidified their spot in the top four with a dominant 72 point win over Richmond at GMHBA Stadium. 

George Stevens impressed on debut, Jeremy Cameron kicked away in the Coleman Medal and slotted his 700th career goal, Zach Guthrie dominated in defence and Max Holmes found plenty of the footy through the midfield. 

But a number of other Cats had a big impact on the result, helping Geelong to pull away from the Tigers through the middle of the match and ultimately securing their 11th win of the season. 

Check out the top five of the more unheralded performances from Saturday afternoon. 

08:07

Highlights: Geelong v Richmond

The Cats and Tigers clash in round 17 of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

Brad Close

14 Disposals, Four Goal Assists, Two Goals

Dynamic inside forward 50, Close certainly made the most of his opportunities on Saturday which was particularly important in the absence of Tyson Stengle. 

The crafty Cat was able to boot two majors of his own, but importantly also dished off four direct goal assists which is a career high for Close, the second highest total in a game from any Geelong player this season. 

Saturday's performance now takes Close to 19 goal assists for the year, the second highest total of any player in the AFL across the 2025 season.

00:50

Jezza brings the house down with goal 700

Cats superstar Jeremy Cameron lights up the stadium after kicking his 700th AFL goal in typically stunning fashion

Jack Martin

25 Disposals, Nine Marks, Five Intercept Possessions, Five Score Involvements

What an incredible story this is developing into in 2025. 

Playing his third consecutive game on Saturday, Martin is looking more and more comfortable in the Geelong line-up every week, the move to half back looking like a masterstroke with his ability to impact the play both offensively and defensively. 

Martin collected 25 disposals against Richmond, his highest disposal tally since Round 7 of the 2019 season, going at a very impressive 80% efficiency while also picking off an equal game high three intercept marks. 

Also able to push forward and have an influence, Martin was able to kick his first goal in the Hoops while finishing with five score involvements, a terrific performance in just his third AFL appearance for the year. 

Rhys Stanley

21 Disposals, 31 Hit-outs, 10 Score Involvements, Five Clearances

It was no easy task for Stanley on Saturday taking on experienced premiership ruckman, Toby Nankervis but the Veteran Cat made his presence felt and put together one of his best performances of the season. 

Stanley finished with 21 disposals which is his highest disposal tally since Round 5 of the 2021 season, also winning 31 hit-outs from 62 ruck contests attended which was the best hit-out win percentage of any player on the ground. 

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of his performance came in the forward half with Stanley amassing 10 score involvements, an incredibly impressive feat for a ruckman. 

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 05: Rhys Stanley of the Cats wins a ruck contest during the round 17 AFL match between Geelong Cats and Richmond Tigers at GMHBA Stadium on July 05, 2025 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Jack Bowes

15 Disposals, Seven Intercept Possessions, Two Goals

His versatility in the Geelong line-up has been widely praised by coach, Chris Scott this year and Jack Bowes certainly did not disappoint on Saturday afternoon. 

Lining up on the wing for large portions of the game, Bowes displayed his elite running prowess and was able to have an impact at both ends of the ground, collecting a team high seven intercept possessions while also kicking two goals. 

It was a welcome return with Bowes making his first AFL appearance since Round 10, setting himself up a for the run home with seven games remaining in the home and away season. 

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 05: Jack Bowes of the Cats kicks a goal during the 2025 AFL Round 17 match between the Geelong Cats and the Richmond Tigers at GMHBA Stadium on July 5, 2025 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

Tom Atkins

17 Disposals, 17 Tackles, Four Score Involvements

After what Chris Scott described as a "slow start" in the first quarter, Tom Atkins was a key figure that helped to lift Geelong's intensity and pressure around stoppages to gain the ascendancy through the middle of the match. 

Atkins finished with an equal career-high 17 tackles on Saturday, the second most any Geelong player has laid in a single match across the club's history and tied for the most in a game by any player in the AFL this year. 

Adding in yesterday's tally, Atkins has now laid 158 tackles in 2025 and needs just 45 more to break the all-time AFL season record (Scott Selwood - 202), he also sits 24 tackles clear of the next best player in the competition (Matt Rowell).