Danger disaster! Superstar among TWELVE fails in embarrassing fadeout — Cats Player Ratings

Outside of three key players who can hold their heads high, most of Geelong’s players had a Grand Final to forget.

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In fact 12 players failed to get a pass mark.

Every Geelong player rated out of 10 from its AFL Grand Final loss to Brisbane.

1. Rhys Stanley

Started on the bench before coming onto the ground and into the ruck, with stints as a resting forward. Looked off the pace at times, fumbled crucial balls and struggled to have any influence. Subbed out at three quarter-time. Should Jed Bews have replaced Tom Stewart? 2

3. Bailey Smith

No Bazball on Grand Final day. On the footy all day but barely had any room to move. Had decent numbers (29 disposals), but not a lot of clearances (4). 5

5. Jeremy Cameron

Slow start, but ultimately inspirational in a losing cause. Had Darcy Gardiner for company and couldn’t get into the game at all. On the wrong side of friendly fire with Patrick Dangerfield in the second term, crunching his elbow in a nasty collision. In immense pain, produced an epic rundown tackle on Jasper Fletcher to set up a Cats goal. But didn’t score until the final term. 4

7. Shaun Mannagh

Manned up by Jasper Fletcher and was probably beaten in the end. A consolation goal late in the fourth quarter. 4

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9. Max Holmes

No fairytale flag, but probably Geelong’s best player on a dirty day for his club. A blistering 11-disposal first quarter set the tone for the Cats. Was slowed down by Josh Dunkley in the second term, but forged ahead in the third, including a telling goal from long range when the game was still up for grabs. Finished with 33 disposals, 12 contested possessions, nine inside 50s and 907m gained. 8

12. Jack Bowes

A Grand Final tick with his ball use and composure early in the game. Kicked a settling goal at the start of the second term. Was strong in the contest with 10 contested possessions. 6

13. Jhye Clark

Got the starting 22 gig. Played primarily off half-back and gave decent drive for most of the game. 5

14. Connor O’Sullivan

Went to Kai Lohmann at the first bounce. The Lion looked “a bit too mobile” for the young Cat at times, but he was strong in the air when the ball was kicked eye in. Intercepted well, but had a couple of bad errors on the goalline when it mattered most. 4

16. Sam De Koning

Started next to Ty Gallop. Had a golden chance to kick the first goal of the game after drifting forward but missed the set-shot. Didn’t have a massive influence on the game, both in defence and as a pinch-hitting ruck. 4

17. Lawson Humphries

Hard to assess. Went to Charlie Cameron at the first bounce. Offensively he was strong, higlighted by a brilliant second-quarter play where he ran off Cameron and streamed off half-back to set up a Brad Close goal. But Cameron exploded in the second half to break the game open. 6

18. Tyson Stengle

Had a few different opponents, including Ryan Lester early. Missed two early shots at goal then faded in the second half. At least half of his 12 disposals ended in scores, but laid just one tackle. 4

19. Jack Martin

Just the second time he was named sub all season, so a slight shock he started as Geelong’s 23rd man. Only came on at the start of the fourth term and had just one disposal. Just one kick. N/A

28. Ollie Dempsey

Can hold his head high, as he was Geelong’s most threatening player on the ground. Started on a wing next to Cal Ah Chee. Broke the first quarter goal drought after lingering inside 50 for minutes, pushing into the goalsquare. Ran hard all day. Kicked some junktime goals to finish with 4.1 from 19 disposals. 7

30. Tom Atkins

Typical Atkins numbers — 20 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 10 clearances and six tackles — and played his role. But Will Ashcroft and Brisbane’s midfield ultimately got on top and couldn’t be contained. 6

32. Gryan Miers

Electric start, poor finish. Showed off his composure and lethal foot craft in the first term with seven disposals. Fox Footy’s Jason Dunstall: “His decision-making, his execution is as good as anyone in the game.” Used the ball overall well, but had just seven disposals when the game swung in the second half. Disappointing. 4

33. Shannon Neale

You felt for him at stages. Went to Harris Andrews, who had another dominant performance in defence. Got his hands to the footy a lot early but dropped a few marks. Produced the goal of his life in the second term, nailing a set-shot goal from 60m out. Outside of that, a day to forget. 3

34. Oisin Mullin

Started on the bench then ran straight to Hugh McCluggage. Was off the ground when McCluggage contributed to Brisbane’s first goal, but returned to kick a memorable Grand Final major, accelerating into the forward 50 and nailing a brilliant running goal. But McCluggage broke the tag in the second half and Mullin was simply ineffective. 3

35. Patrick Dangerfield

No prelim final heroics from the captain. In fact the polar opposite on Grand Final day. Started at the centre bounce on Josh Dunkley — then when he pushed forward was manned up by Brandon Starcevich. Just the one disposal in the second term and only 10 for the game. Didn’t score or have a clearance. Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson said: “It’s not quite coming together for him at the moment.” A dirty day. 2

38. Jack Henry

Went to Logan Morris and probably took the win on points, with Morris kicking just one goal. In fact he might’ve been Geelong’s best defender. Had 12 touches, eight intercepts and three contested marks. 3

39. Zach Guthrie

Rotated through a few Lions half-forwards, including Kai Lohmann and Charlie Cameron. Had 16 touches and eight intercepts and used the ball well, but had several nervous and costly moments. 5

42. Mark O’Connor

As expected, went to Cameron Rayner and followed him every step of the way. Rayner didn’t have a touch in the first quarter and was well held for most of the match, before exploding in the fourth term. Had 13 touches for the game. 6

45. Brad Close

Didn’t necessarily ‘tag’ Dayne Zorko, but was ultimately responsible for the veteran Lions star, who ultimately cut the Cats to shreds when the game was up for grabs. Kicked a big goal in the second term, but just 12 touches and zero tackles. 3

46. Mark Blicavs

Started in the ruck then pushed forward. Competed well in the ruck, but arguably didn’t have his usual influence around stoppages following up. 4