The Cats could not have asked for more out of their starting line-up on Friday night, a complete performance from every player helping to steer Geelong to a brilliant victory over the Demons at the MCG. 

While nearly every Cat could have featured on the following list, a select few were instrumental in turning the tide early for Geelong and helping to capitalise on the momentum when the game was up for grabs. 

A number of forwards took their opportunities in an accurate outing in front of the big sticks, while some dominant defenders also stood tall under pressure to help limit Melbourne's flow the other way. 

Take a look through some of the standout performers from Friday night at the MCG. 

Tom Stewart

25 Disposals, 11 Intercept Possessions, Five Score Involvements

The champion defender is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down, with Stewart showing that he is more than capable of turning a game with a sensational showing across half back. 

Finishing the night with 25 disposals, the star Cat also picked off 11 intercept possessions to help thwart a number of Melbourne's attacking forays, but he also turned that into attack with five score involvements. 

With the game still in the balance, Stewart rose to the occasion with a brilliant final term, collecting eight disposals and four intercepts at 100% efficiency in the fourth quarter alone, consistently providing a presence in big contests. 

Tanner Bruhn

27 Disposals, Five Score Involvements, Four Intercept Possessions

Geelong were disappointed when Max Holmes went down last week, but what a luxury to be able to insert Tanner Bruhn back into the line-up, with the emerging star again performing strongly in a big game. 

Looking assured with ball in hand, Bruhn collected 27 disposals which was the third-highest total of any player on the ground, but went at an impressive 82% disposal efficiency to continually threaten Melbourne's defence. 

He would ultimately finish the night with 529 metres gained, the second most of any Cat, to go with five score involvements and four intercepts, capping off another stellar outing for Bruhn in a terrific 2026 campaign. 

Mitch Edwards

10 Disposals, 15 Hit-Outs, Seven Clearances

The challenge on Friday night was none other than an eight-time All-Australian and one of the best ruckmen the game has ever seen, but remarkably, Mitch Edwards in just his 15th AFL game was able to hold his own and helped Geelong to break even in the clearance battle. 

Geelong's young ruck collected 10 disposals and 15 hit-outs, but importantly won an equal game-high seven clearances to drive the Cats into attack, four of those coming from centre stoppages. 

Just as important however was his ability to limit Gawn, who despite winning 47 hit-outs, was only able to register five clearances and six score involvements of his own. 

Ultimately, it led to Geelong winning the stoppage clearance battle and the inside 50 count, with Edwards playing a pivotal role in helping the Cats win those crucial areas of the game. 

Tom Atkins

23 Disposals, Six Tackles, Five Clearances

When the Cats were trailing early and needed to flip the script, two men in particular willed themselves into the contest and helped to turn the tide in favour of the Cats. 

One was Tom Stewart across half back, and the other was Tom Atkins in the midfield. 

His ferocity around stoppages helped Geelong to win a number of crucial contests, finishing the night with 23 disposals, six tackles and five clearances. 

Atkins even capped off his work with a goal and six score involvements, but the ability to throw his body into contests and win the footy for the Cats was a telling factor, particularly in the opening half when the Cats were looking for a spark. 

Oisin Mullin

10 Disposals, Three Score Involvements

The Irishman seems to be featuring in this series quite frequently throughout the 2026 season, but his job on Demons star Kysaiah Pickett was heavily impactful and helped the Cats to limit Melbourne's clearance prowess during the match. 

After Pickett made a bright start in the opening term, Mullin put the clamps on and nullified his impact, keeping Melbourne's dynamic on-baller to just 14 disposals, his second lowest total of the year. 

It adds to a growing list of brilliant performances for the Irishman, who has firmly cemented himself as one of the game's best negating players this year.