3 JIMMY BARTEL was best afield in the first quarter, tallying 10 disposals before the opening break. He played everywhere he was needed throughout the game, contributing six rebound 50s and four inside 50s.  The Geelong veteran spent 98% of game time on the ground and accumulated a team-high 28 possessions.
DT: 103
SC: 123

4 ANDREW MACKIE was the Cats’ best rebounding defender, regularly pushing up the ground and generating attack from the back half. He took nine marks and was lethal when in possession, finding a teammate with 23 of his 26 disposals. Mackie ran off Paul Chapman to earn a goal scoring chance in the second term, but only managed a point for his efforts.
DT: 95
SC: 104

5 TRAVIS VARCOE displayed good decision-making and clean disposal, making the most of his 13 possessions. He executed with 84.6% efficiency and provided a goal assist with one of his three forward 50 entries. Varcoe’s defensive effort was equally strong, making seven tackles.
DT: 75
SC: 88

7 HARRY TAYLOR tallied 11 disposals and took two marks, less than the norm for the All-Australian defender. Sorely missed against the Gold Coast’s three-pronged forward line, Taylor looked likely to spend more time on the bench when he was kneed in the head backing into a pack on Friday night. Substituted for Josh Caddy while he was assessed for concussion, Taylor returned to play 20 minutes later with the all clear from the medical staff.
DT: 42
SC: 56

9 JAMES KELLY has spent more time on the ball over recent weeks but was returned to a defensive post against the Bombers. He took nine marks, including three in a contest, and was especially composed when competing in the air on the last line of defence. Kelly was just as composed once he’d gathered possession, effective with 14 of his 16 disposals.
DT: 86
SC: 79

13 TOM LONERGAN played on emerging Essendon forward Joe Daniher. The young Bomber shook hands with Lonergan before commencing battle, displaying the gamesmanship of a bygone era. The contest between the two was a tight one, with Lonergan taking six marks and tallying 14 disposals.
DT: 61
SC: 66

14 JOEL SELWOOD was one of Geelong’s best, collecting 26 possessions and winning five clearances. He spent significant portions of the first half in the forward line, where he managed to snare two goals in two minutes during the second term. Selwood was just as influential defensively, making a game-high nine tackles.
DT: 133
SC: 138

16 DAWSON SIMPSON replaced Hamish McIntosh who was injured in the loss to the Gold Coast. The Cats have preferred to play one genuine ruckman in the last few games and he will have competition for selection once McIntosh is fit. Simpson won nine disposals and 27 hit-outs playing 71% of game time.
DT: 66
SC: 71

20 STEVE JOHNSON was unusually quiet at the start of the match, with quarter time looming when he gathered his first touch. After the first break he was back to his ball winning ways and finished with a tally of 25 disposals. He led the Cats with six clearances, made six tackles, and contributed a game-high eight inside 50s.
DT: 96
SC: 114

21 JORDAN MURDOCH took a career-high eight marks, presenting high up the ground to provide an option in the centre corridor. He sold the dummy three times to escape an opponent and elected to kick with 12 of his 13 disposals. Murdoch’s defensive pressure in the forward line was also impressive, making six tackles for the match.
DT: 81
SC: 75

22 MITCH DUNCAN collected 22 disposals as a consistent contributor in the Geelong midfield. He was one of the Cats’ best in a losing performance last week and provided strong resistance yet again when the Bombers dominated in the third term. Duncan took a game-high 10 marks and kicked two clutch goals in the final quarter to secure a hard-fought victory.
DT: 112
SC: 105

23 JOSH CADDY was the starting substitute for the second week in a row. He was given a short run in the third term while Harry Taylor was assessed for concussion and activated permanently for Shane Kersten in the last quarter. Playing 28% of game-time in total, Caddy collected four disposals and won a single clearance.
DT: 11
SC: 37

24 JED BEWS lined up on the back flank alongside former Geelong champion Paul Champan. The young Cat had just five disposals, but was effective with every one of them. More importantly he limited Chapman to 11 possessions and prevented him from having any scoreboard impact.
DT: 21
SC: 31

25 JARED RIVERS has been a consistent and reliable contributor this season and continued his run of good form with a strong performance on Friday. He often competed out-sized in aerial contests, taking five marks and making six spoils against bigger Bombers. He was composed when in possession and effective with every one of his nine disposals.
DT: 40
SC:  42

26 TOM HAWKINS kicked a game-high three goals, the 11th time his has kicked three or more goals in 14 games this season. Battling against Bomber Cale Hooker, Hawkins gathered 13 possessions and took four of his five marks inside attacking 50.
DT: 80
SC: 98

28 ALLEN CHRISTENSEN led the disposal tally in the first quarter last week, his first AFL game since 2013. On Friday night he started in much the same fashion, collecting 15 touches in the first half. Christen is still developing match fitness and struggled to run out the game with the same influence. He finished with 21 disposals and will only improve as the season progresses.
DT: 78
SC: 65

29 CAMERON GUTHRIE won five clearances playing an effective role in the midfield. Like many of his Geelong teammates, Guthrie delivered his best football in the first half. He tallied 18 disposals and rebounded defensive 50 on five occasions.
DT: 68
SC: 54

32 STEVEN MOTLOP provided good run and carry playing on the ball and in the forward line. His involvement in the game was sporadic but Motlop made an impact when the Cats needed him most. Finishing with 21 disposals, he ensured that Geelong finished the game in front with two final-term goals.
DT: 81
SC: 98

33 GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH was busy in the opening term and scored the first goal of the match with a sensational snap from tight against the boundary. He collected 10 kicks and 10 handballs playing through the midfield. Most effective in heavy traffic, Horlin-Smith won and equal team-high six clearances.
DT: 78
SC: 65

39 SHANE KERSTEN delivered a stunning debut with three goals against the Gold Coast and started in the same form on Friday. After kicking his first goal midway through the first term, Kerten was on the receiving end of a brilliant handball from Allen Christensen and kicked a second on the verge of half time. After the main break he didn’t have the same impact and was substituted for Josh Caddy in the fourth quarter.
DT: 78
SC: 31

44 COREY ENRIGHT got his name on the score sheet for the sixth time this season with a set shot from outside 50 in the first quarter. The rest of his six marks were taken in the back half, where he won most of his 21 possessions.
DT: 87
SC: 86

46 MARK BLICAVS started the match in defence and displayed great hands to mark two risky kick-ins during the opening term. He was positioned in the back half for the majority of the match and rotated through the ruck to win nine hit-outs. Blicavs took eight marks largely through hard running and his disposal was excellent, adding 17 possessions with 94.1% efficiency.
DT: 78
SC: 94