Some of Geelong's biggest names stood tall when the lights shone brightest on Thursday night, helping the Cats to secure an important victory over St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium. 

But while the superstars will rightfully earn their share of the spotlight, a number of other unheralded players also deserve their credit for leading the Cats back onto the winner's list. 

With Geelong making seven changes at team selection, some fresher faces made the most of their opportunity which included debutant Jay Polkinghorne, who looked lively up forward and kicked two goals on debut. 

Take a look through some of the other standout performances from Thursday night at the Cattery. 

Jhye Clark

25 Disposals, Nine Marks, 12 Intercept Possessions

He was back in the fold for his first AFL appearance since Round 3, but you could hardly tell based on Jhye Clark's performance against the Saints on Thursday night. 

Slotting in across half back, the 21-year-old collected a career-high 25 disposals and also picked off 12 intercept possessions, which was four more than any other player on the field. 

Clark was also able to push forward at times and registered four score involvements, which included a goal assist and three inside 50 entries. 

His courage to stand in the hole deep in defence was admirable and it led to a number of pivotal intercepts for the Cats, with Clark certainly reminding the Geelong faithful of the massive potential he has at his disposal.  

Oisin Mullin

12 Disposals, Five Tackles, Three Clearances

The stat sheet did not truly paint the picture of how important Mullin was on Thursday night, because it was more his defensive influence that helped to set up the game for Geelong. 

His task was to go head-to-head with Saints star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who had been in ominous form with seven consecutive games collecting 30 disposals or more, and the Irishman took the chocolates restricting him to just 21 possessions on the night. 

Aside from quelling Wanganeen-Milera's influence, Mullin also utilised his speed to break open the play heading into attack, winning three clearances and 12 disposals on the night. 

His performances in recent weeks have been equally as good, but possibly have not garnered as much attention due to the final results for Geelong, but Mullin will certainly receive his flowers after a brilliant outing in Round 19. 

James Worpel

24 Disposals, Seven Clearances, One Goal

Another Cat who thrived in his return to the elite level, Worpel consistently threw himself into the contest all night and had a particularly strong impact around stoppages. 

Finding plenty of the football, Worpel finished the evening with 24 disposals which is his highest return in the Hoops, while also generating 524 metres gained to thrust the Cats into attack. 

The Geelong recruit collected a team-high seven clearances (four centre clearances) and also laid six tackles, bringing valuable pressure in and around the contest, while also generating eight inside 50 entries and five score involvements. 

He also kicked an important goal early in the game to help the Cats capitalise on their dominance, capping off a stellar performance from Worpel in his first AFL appearance since Round 9. 

Tom Atkins

21 Disposals, Eight Tackles, Six Clearances

Speaking of pressure around the contest, Tom Atkins was at his brutal best against the Saints and played a pivotal role in nullifying the impact of St Kilda's on-ball division. 

The hard-nosed midfielder collected 21 disposals and laid his usual eight tackles, while also winning six clearances and three intercept possessions to lift the intensity in the engine room. 

Atkins also recorded four score involvements and even kicked a goal of his own, just his third of the year in a clinical display from the tough Cat. 

Gryan Miers

22 Disposals, Four Goal Assists, Three Goals

Last but certainly not the least, the Cats would have been thrilled to have Gryan Miers back delivering the ball inside 50 after a remarkable outing against the Saints. 

The clever forward bobbed up in dangerous areas and got his opportunities in front of goal, kicking a game-high three goals which was his first three-goal haul since the 2024 Qualifying Final. 

If that was not enough, Miers also registered four goal assists, meaning that he had a direct hand in seven of Geelong's 15 goals for the night. 

He went on to finish with 22 disposals and a game-high 12 score involvements, a simply brilliant return from the important Cat.