Geelong could not have asked for much more out of every player on Friday night, as they stormed back from a slow start to take down the Blues in an Elimination Final at the MCG. 

Fighting off an inaccurate start to the contest and a strong burst from Carlton, the Cats registered 10 goals and 23 scoring shots after half time to progress to a Semi Final against Fremantle next week. 

What was most pleasing for Geelong was the balance of youth and experience on display, with plenty of key players standing tall in high-pressure moments to help turn the tide at crucial moments in the match. 

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

Shaun Mannagh

25 Disposals, One Goal, Six Clearances

When Geelong were looking for a spark prior to half time, they turned to their high half forwards to change the game, and perhaps none were more important than Shaun Mannagh. 

As he did across the final weeks of the home-and-away season, Mannagh gave the Cats a different dynamic and rolled into more of a permanent midfield role, helping to wrestle back the ascendancy around stoppages and finishing with six clearances. 

The crafty Cat finished with 25 disposals, seven inside 50s and added a goal of his own in the third quarter, while also dishing off a goal assist in a game-changing performance. 

Mannagh would record six score involvements and also registered 466 metres gained, with 20 of his disposals coming between the second and third quarters alone when the game was up for grabs. 

Gryan Miers

24 Disposals, Two Goals, 12 Score Involvements

Another of Geelong's small forwards who had a profound impact on Friday night, Gryan Miers' creativity was a telling factor that helped to break the game open. 

Miers collected 24 disposals and four clearances, working up the ground to start plenty of Geelong's ball movement without losing his potency in front of the big sticks, still kicking two crucial goals. 

The final result saw him record an equal game-high 12 score involvements, equalling his season-high and continually picking apart Carlton's defensive structure in wet conditions. 

Mitch Edwards

12 Disposals, 27 Hit-Outs, Six Clearances

One of the key factors in the opening half was the stoppage battle, which was relatively comfortably going Carlton's way early, but Geelong managed to stem momentum off the back of an inspired performance from Mitch Edwards in his first Final. 

The young Cat recorded 12 disposals, 27 hit-outs and six clearances, ultimately taking the points against the far more experienced Marc Pittonet, who collected 13 disposals, 30 hit-outs and five clearances. 

Edwards also registered five score involvements, but he also produced one of the highlights of the night when he threw himself back with the flight into a contest, lifting the standard and proving that he is well and truly built for September.

Oli Wiltshire

22 Disposals, Four Goal Assists, 12 Score Involvements

Speaking of Geelong's first finalists, what about the remarkable performance from Oli Wiltshire on the biggest stage?

Not overawed by the occasion, Wiltshire eclipsed his career-high and collected 22 disposals, but he was visibly clean with ball in hand and composed with his decision making, often able to lower the eyes and hit targets inside 50. 

He went on to finish the game with four goal assists in a match where only other player registered more than one, also recording a game-high 12 score involvements. 

Patrick Dangerfield

21 Disposals, Five Goals, 10 Score Involvements

Ageing like a fine wine and seemingly saving his best for September, the skipper wound back the clock in yet another remarkable Finals display on Friday night. 

Dangerfield was able to find plenty of the footy collecting 21 disposals, but it was his work inside 50 that was telling, going on to kick a game-high five goals and handling the wet conditions beautifully. 

He also recorded 10 score involvements, five inside 50 entries and a couple of clearances, guiding his side into a Semi Final against Fremantle next weekend.