It takes a full team effort to piece together a performance like Geelong did on Saturday night, with every individual playing their part as the Cats stormed to a brilliant victory over Collingwood at the MCG. 

After a relatively even opening half, Geelong put the foot down and pulled away with a flurry of goals in the third and fourth quarters, while they also locked down defensively and limited the Magpies scoring output. 

There were a number of players that stood tall under pressure and rose to the occasion when opportunities presented, helping the Cats to secure their sixth win of the season. 

Take a look through some of the standout performances from Geelong's big victory on Saturday night. 

Lawson Humphries

26 Disposals, Nine Score Involvements, Eight Intercept Possessions

A big occasion with over 80,000 spectators packed into the MCG would be enough to pressure most players in the competition, but even that could not rattle the cage of the cool and calm Lawson Humphries across half back. 

Continuing to stake his claim as one of the most reliable big-game players, Humphries collected 26 disposals against the Magpies and went at 81% efficiency, one of the cleanest players on the ground with ball in hand. 

He worked back hard to pick off eight intercept possessions which was the most of any Geelong player, but the star defender also proved to be damaging the other way as he registered nine score involvements. 

Generating more than 400 metres gained and continuing to be a threat all night, Lawson Humphries has quickly developed into one of the most important players in the Geelong line-up and proved it once again in Round 9. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 09: Lawson Humphries of the Cats takes possession of the ball during the round nine AFL match between Geelong Cats and Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 09, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos)

Bailey Smith

40 Disposals, Six Clearances, 14 Score Involvements

Speaking of staking claims, there was a substantial rise in Bailey Smith's stocks as one of the game's best players following another sensational performance against Collingwood. 

For the second time this year, Smith eclipsed 40 disposals and added 612 metres gained, continually finding space in the Magpies' defence with his running capacity. 

He also added six clearances but it was his work forward of the ball that stood out the most, recording a game-high 14 score involvements and three direct goal assists. 

You would be hard pressed to find many players in better form currently than Bailey Smith, who has been simply outstanding so far in 2026 and is continuing to break games open for the Cats. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 09: Bailey Smith of the Cats kicks during the round nine AFL match between Geelong Cats and Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 09, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Oisin Mullin

21 Disposals, Five Clearances, Nine Score Involvements

Chris Scott has planted a flag of sorts this year in declaring that Oisin Mullin will be far more than just a tagger, but it certainly has not taken long for the Cats coach to be proven right. 

Adding another dominant display to a string of strong performances, Mullin finished Saturday night with 21 disposals and five clearances, while also pushing forward to register nine score involvements. 

Remarkably, the Irishman collected 15 of his disposals when the game was on the line, while still doing an effective job in limiting Nick Daicos to 29 disposals and two clearances, his lowest total in both categories this year. 

With speed to burn and looking increasingly comfortable with ball in hand, the sky is the limit for Mullin heading forward in 2026 and his impact can not be understated in this Geelong team. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 09: Oisin Mullin of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 AFL Round 09 match between the Geelong Cats and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 9, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

Rhys Stanley

17 Disposals, 17 Hit-Outs, Two Goal Assists

He had to wait for an opportunity in 2026 but once it came, he certainly did not waste it as Rhys Stanley pieced together a strong display in his season debut. 

The premiership ruckman collected 17 disposals and won 17 hit-outs on Saturday night, helping the Cats to draw level in the clearance count despite a relatively slow start in that area of the ground. 

But Stanley was also able to hold Collingwood's rucks accountable, pushing forward to dish off two goal assists and finishing with six score involvements to have a real influence in the front half. 

Shannon Neale

17 Disposals, 12 Score Involvements, Two Goals

It may not have been the big scoreboard presence we have become accustomed to seeing from big 'Scratcher,' but Neale's performance was pivotal in the attacking half as he helped to create numerous opportunities for his fellow forwards. 

Neale finished Saturday night with a career-high 17 disposals and hardly wasted a possession, turning that into 12 score involvements to go with his two goals. 

Able to impact the contest aerially, Neale pulled 10 marks which was another career-high, while also getting a crucial hand into a number of contests to flick the ball Geelong's way.