DT: 79
SC: 68
4 ANDREW MACKIE played on the competition’s most prolific small forward, Luke Breust. The Hawthorn sharp shooter averages 15 disposals and 2.5 goals per game, but was restricted to just eight touches and one goal on Saturday. Mackie was dominant in the air, taking a game-high 10 marks, and collected 29 possessions in a consistent performance.
DT: 103
SC: 99
5 TRAVIS VARCOE delivered his best performance of the season on Saturday night, achieving a perfect balance of defence and attack from the half back line. In a hotly contested match he was able to gather the ball cleanly and was sharp with his disposal. Varcoe had 25 possessions for the match, his highest tally this year, and executed with 80% efficiency.
DT: 91
SC: 79
7 HARRY TAYLOR has been so damaging when allowed to intercept and rebound in recent weeks that he was doubled-teamed in the Hawthorn forward. The tactic restricted his offensive influence early in the game, but the strategy did not continue. He was soon one out against Jarryd Roughead, a battle that neither player dominated. Taylor collected 12 possessions and took eight marks, the last of which was taken on the lead in the forward 50. He converted the set shot opportunity to keep the Cats’ hopes alive in the closing minutes of the match.
DT: 71
SC: 59
9 JAMES KELLY defended against small forwards, big forwards, marking players and quick goal sneaks at different stages of the game. Hawthorn consistently altered the make up of their attack and Kelly was able to adjust accordingly. He collected 17 possessions for the game and disposed with 88.2% efficiency.
DT: 66
SC: 74
13 TOM LONERGAN has had the most success of any defender against Lance Franklin and has developed a similar stranglehold on Jack Gunston since the star forward left the Hawks. Lonergan provided four rebounds 50s with his 17 disposals and took seven marks. This season Gunston has averaged 2.4 goals and almost six marks per game, but Lonergan kept him to just one goal and allowed only one mark inside 50.
DT: 66
SC: 75
14 JOEL SELWOOD took a strong contested mark in the opening quarter and converted the set shot to give Geelong a two goal lead early in the match. The Cats preferred to move the ball by hand and Selwood tallied 13 handballs before half time. Like many of his teammates, he was less effective after the main break, adding just seven possessions in the second half to take his disposal tally to 24.
DT: 87
SC: 90
17 HAMISH McINTOSH had his colours lowered by former North Melbourne teammate David Hale. He was strong at stoppages, winning 17 hit-outs and five clearances. In general play, however, his ability to cover the ground was exposed. Both Hawthorn ruckmen spread quickly from the contest when their team won the ball and were able to contribute four goals collectively.
DT: 70
SC: 77
21 JORDAN MURDOCH appeared refreshed after a week on the sidelines, the first game he has missed all season. He embraced the Cats attacking game plan, using his speed and agility to break through the Hawks clustered defence. Murdoch scored the first goal of the game and ended the run of 10 straight from Hawthorn with his second. Of his 15 disposals, a pin point pass to Hawkins late in the game was a standout, reaching the big Cat when surrounded by three defenders.
DT: 71
SC: 65
22 MITCH DUNCAN delivered one of the best performances of his career. He was effective in congestion and with his outside run, collecting 25 disposals by half time. He surpassed his previous best possession tally with seven minutes to play in the third quarter and at the final siren had gathered a game-high 37 touches. Duncan took seven marks, won six clearances and scored the Cats’ fifth straight goal at the end of the second term.
DT: 116
SC: 125
23 JOSH CADDY has been steadily improving over the back half of this season and on Saturday showed just how important he is to Geelong’s premiership chances. He collected 17 possessions in the first half but was less prolific after the long break. His explosiveness and power was valuable in the the middle, where he won four clearances. His disposal was not always effective but he sent the ball inside 50 four times with his 26 touches.
DT: 81
SC: 90
25 JARED RIVERS took six marks and collected 15 possessions playing in defence. Hawthorn are the best kicking side in the competition and the regularity with which they hit a target with a low, flat pass is unparalleled. Rivers’ ability to lung and spoil from behind an opponent without infringing was particularly effective against this style of attack. He made nine spoils on Saturday night, the most of any Cat.
DT: 65
SC: 80
26 TOM HAWKINS has carried the pressure of being Geelong’s main forward target all season, a burden which was heightened after Shane Kersten was substituted out of the game in the first quarter. He endured a tough battle with last year’s Norm Smith medalist Brian Lake, who regularly received the support of one or more teammates. Despite all this Hawkins was still a powerful influence, taking six marks and scoring an equal game-high three goals.
DT: 67
SC: 65
27 MATHEW STOKES was electric in the opening half, generating rapid transition through middle of the ground with quick decision making and clean disposal. Stokes had tallied 22 disposals by half time and was less prolific but still effective with 11 more in the final two terms. He contributed a game-high six inside 50s and was 87.9% efficient with his possessions.
DT: 102
SC: 104
28 ALLEN CHRISTENSEN played excellent football in tandem with Steven Motlop, running the ball through the corridor and sharing by hand before setting up the first goal of the game. Later in the first quarter the two pressured Grant Birchal into kicking out on the full which resulted in another Geelong goal. Along with many of his teammates Christensen was unable to maintain his attacking form but consistently fought for contested possessions, making a team-high five tackles and winning three clearances.
DT: 87
SC: 88
29 CAMERON GUTHRIE was issued a shut-down role on Jordan Lewis yet was still able to influence the game offensively. The rapidly improving onballer has shown he can perform in big games, surpassing his 29 disposal effort against Fremantle earlier in the year with a career-best 33 against the Hawks. Guthrie’s stoppage work was excellent, winning five clearances by feeding the ball to teammates or breaking from congestion with foot speed.
DT: 81
SC: 92
32 STEVEN MOTLOP played an enormous part in Geelong’s early dominance, carving up the opposition with his attacking flair and creativity. His defensive pressure was also strong and earned him a difficult shot at goal in the first term. Motlop delivered a gun barrel straight drop punt from the boundary and scored the Cats’ third goal. His defensive pressure fell away after half time and, under heightened harassment from the Hawks, he had little influence on the game.
DT: 48
SC: 45
36 BRAD HARTMAN had played four games before Saturday night, all against teams in the bottom five. His fifth game was a big step up and Hartman was up to the task. He attacked the contest with speed and aggression and while he may lack the polish of his more experienced teammates, he was not overawed by the big stage. As a high half forward gathered 11 disposals and provided a goal assist with one of his three inside 50s.
DT: 42
SC: 31
39 SHANE KERSTEN came into the game needing to make an impact after a few relatively quiet performances. Unfortunately he had little opportunity to do so, straining his hamstring in the opening quarter. Kersten was substituted for Jackson Thurlow at the first change and is unlikely to be fit to take part in the upcoming finals series.
DT: 2
SC: 9
40 JACKSON THURLOW was able to influence the outcome of last week’s game against Carlton, kicking an important goal after he was activated late in the game. Thurlow was the starting substitute again of Saturday night and had a far greater opportunity to make an impact when he replaced Shane Kersten at quarter time. Effective with every one of his 10 disposals, a snap goal in the second term the pick of the bunch.
DT: 43
SC: 46
44 COREY ENRIGHT was released as a defensive wingman early in the game and was a pivotal part of Geelong’s attacking prowess. The handball heavy game style suited Enright, who can get out of trouble with a quick-fired handpass or open up the game by drawing a teammate towards a lofted ball. The dramatic momentum swing after half time demanded a move back to defence, where he finished with a tally of 27 disposals.
DT: 90
SC: 97
46 MARK BLICAVS handpassed a lot early in his career, relinquishing responsibility to teammates with more experience and better skills. Among the many attributes Blicavs has enhanced this year, has been an ability to evade opponents and give himself time to find the best, not just the nearest option. He provided a reliable link in transition with 13 handballs and five kicks on Saturday night, along with 10 hit-outs as the second ruckman.
DT: 75
SC: 58
