There were big winners right across the ground on Friday night, as the Cats secured their spot in 2025 AFL Grand Final with a brilliant 30-point victory over Hawthorn. 

A number of players were instrumental in the win, particularly through the middle of the game after a slow start in the opening term. 

The Cats wrestled back the ascendancy and kicked a run of unanswered goals between the second and third quarters, which ultimately proved to be the decisive move in an otherwise tight contest. 

Take a look at some of the standout performers from Friday night's win over Hawthorn. 

Patrick Dangerfield 

31 Disposals, Eight Clearances, 13 Score Involvements, Three Goals

What more can you say about the inspirational performance from Geelong's skipper?

In a storied career that has seen him do nearly everything a player could hope for, Dangerfield produced one of his greatest games on Friday night in a display that further cements his legacy as one of the game's greatest every players. 

Dangerfield amassed 31 disposals, his highest total in almost three years, eight clearances and a colossal 13 score involvements, constantly willing himself to every contest and coming up trumps any time he was around the ball. 

He also pushed forward and had a damaging impact on the scoreboard, kicking an equal game-high three goals in a simply remarkable performance from the champion Cat. 

Tyson Stengle 

15 Disposals, Nine Score Involvements, Three Goals

September footy rewards those players that can be clean with the ball in their hands, and it felt like Tyson Stengle was able to produce a little bit of magic with every disposal on Friday night. 

From his 15 disposals, Stengle registered nine score involvements and was able to finish off his own work, kicking an equal game-high three goals. 

His pressure around the ball was also immense, with the clever Cat laying six tackles and applying plenty of heat to Hawthorn's defenders, capping off a stellar outing from Stengle. 

Gryan Miers

27 Disposals, 92.6% Efficiency, 14 Score Involvements, Four Goal Assists

Speaking of players who are dangerous with ball in hand, Gryan Miers was simply superb against the Hawks as he continues to build his legacy as an elite big-game player. 

Miers found plenty of the footy with 27 disposals but he rarely wasted a possession, going at a very impressive 92.6% disposal efficiency despite the pressure and tough conditions. 

It resulted in a blistering performance from the Cats number 32, with Miers amassing a game high 14 score involvements and four direct goal assists, having a massive influence on proceedings during the Preliminary Final. 

Tom Atkins

25 Disposals, 11 Tackles, Seven Clearances

Time and time again it has been noted that Tom Atkins is built for September, but he continues to show it on the biggest stages following another dominant outing against the Hawks. 

The hard-nosed on-baller collected 25 disposals on Friday night, but he was also able to win seven clearances to help launch a number of Geelong's attacks from the middle of the ground. 

He laid his usual 11 tackles and continually applied pressure to Hawthorn's midfield, but Atkins was also able to get a hand in and disrupt numerous attacking forays by the Hawks, the type of thing that will not show up on the stat sheet but certainly helped Geelong gain the ascendancy. 

Zach Guthrie 

21 Disposals, Eight Marks, 10 Intercept Possessions

Always reliable and as consistent as they come, Zach Guthrie stood tall once again in a brilliant display across half back. 

Guthrie picked off a game-high 10 intercept possessions from his 21 disposals, taking eight marks as he played an instrumental role in helping to nullify some of Hawthorn's dangerous forwards. 

His role became even more important after Tom Stewart was subbed out at quarter time, but Guthrie stood tall as he always does and helped to steer the Cats to another Grand Final berth. 

Bailey Smith 

36 Disposals, Six Clearances, Eight Inside 50s

How can you not talk about Bailey Smith. 

The superstar midfielder was at his sublime best once again, collecting a game-high 36 disposals and eight inside 50s, while also having an impact around stoppages with six clearances. 

The cherry on top of Geelong's win came off Smith's boot, when he launched through the sealer on the run deep in the final term.