The Dash Brothers roared to life in the third quarter to inspire a brilliant Geelong victory.
Meanwhile, Geelong’s best defender was back to his best, while a Lions star was blanketed by an unlikely Cats hero.
We rate every Geelong player out of 10 from their qualifying final vs. Brisbane.
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3. BAILEY SMITH
Great to have Bailey back in the finals. Started on a wing next to Jarrod Berry. Took some time for him to warm into the game, but came alive in the third term with eight touches, three clearances and a towering running goal. 7
5. JEREMY CAMERON
The All-Australian captain looked untouchable in the first term, winning one-on-ones through strength and footy smarts, while working relentlessly hard up and down the ground to present a link-up option. As expected, was manned up by Ryan Lester — and Cameron dominated with 2.3 by quarter-time. Bad miss with his first set-shot, but made amends a minute later with Geelong’s first goal. Jason Dunstall declared: “His confidence is at an all-time high.” Didn’t have the same influence across the rest of the game, but ultimately 10 of his 13 disposals led to Cats scores. 7
7. SHAUN MANNAGH
In the middle of a scrappy period in the second term, produced two moments of class with composed, spearing kicks inside 50 that set up goals to Sam De Koning and Jack Bowes. Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon said: “He’s changed everything with the way they go forward.” Then showed great grit and tenacity in tight multiple times in the second term. Laid nine tackles, while eight of his 15 touches led to Cats scores. Jason Dunstall added: “He worked his butt off defensively … I thought it was a brilliant game that the numbers don’t reflect.” 7
9. MAX HOLMES
Imagine if he’d played a full prelim against Brisbane last year … A game-breaking performance, showing just how important he is to Geelong’s premiership chances. Roared to life in the second half with a phenomenal 10-disposal third quarter, including 331m gained, a brilliant running goal and a stunning assist to set up Jack Martin. His third quarter was the second-highest rated quarter ever by a Geelong player in a final. Finished with 23 touches, 12 contested possessions, eight inside 50s and six tackles in his 100th game. 9
12. JACK BOWES
Came off the bench and onto a wing. Had a couple of big moments in the second quarter, kicking a goal then setting one up for Ollie Dempsey. 7
13. JHYE CLARK
Started as the sub — and was only subbed on in the final minutes when the game was over. N/A
14. CONNOR O’SULLIVAN
Took on fellow youngster Ty Gallop early but also moved onto Charlie Cameron at times, showing off his versatility. Played with great maturity and hardly lost a contest down back. 6
16. SAM DE KONING
Started deep alongside Sam Day then also spent time pinch-hitting in the ruck. Even drifted forward in the second term to kick just his third goal of the season. 6
17. LAWSON HUMPHRIES
Went to Kai Lohmann early. Did his job down back. 5
18. TYSON STENGLE
Had Brandon Starcevich for company. Showed great defensive pressure to force a Dayne Zorko turnover and set up Geelong’s first goal through Jeremy Cameron. Outside of that reasonably well held. Just hasn’t got himself back in goalkicking form. 5
19. JACK MARTIN
Started on the bench before pushing forward where Darcy Wilmot picked him up initially. His three first-term disposals all led to scores then got on the end of a nice goal in the third term. One of Geelong’s better pressure players for the night, too. 5
28. OLLIE DEMPSEY
Born for finals. Finished with three goals from 25 touches and nine score involvements. Started with a bang on the wing next to Levi Ashcroft. Pushed hard forward early to kick Geelong’s second goal in one of seven first-quarter disposals, before adding another major in the second quarter. Garry Lyon: “He’s a problem here. He’s getting all sorts of space out on the wing … he’s been a real issue for Brisbane.” Lyon was then equally as gushing after Dempsey’s brilliant soccer goal in the third quarter: “That sums up what Ollie Dempsey has become as a footballer.” 9
30. TOM ATKINS
A typically tough Tom Atkins performance. Took Hugh McCluggage for the first five minutes before Oisin Mullin took over the tag, allowing Atkins to play as a balance midfielder. Capped off his night with a lovely set-shot goal in the fourth term. 8
32. GRYAN MIERS
Quiet start, but was part of the class lifting in the third term with seven touches and three marks. Not his most influential performance, but did his role with 19 disposals and five tackles. 6
33. SHANNON NEALE
Lions co-captain Harris Andrews went to him and, bluntly, owned him. Didn’t touch the footy in the first term while Andrews was at his intercepting best working off his opponent. Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon said of Neale: “He’s at a loss at the moment.” But had a great moment in the fourth quarter with brilliant running goal to spark a Cats party. 4
34. OISIN MULLIN
An “old school tag”, per Jonathan Brown, on Hugh McCluggage — and held the Lions star to his lowest disposal count of the season. A strong first term, holding McCluggage to one handball while remarkably kicking his first AFL goal in his 41st game. That set the tone for the rest of his game. Fox Footy’s Jason Dunstall added: “His stocks have risen tonight. The job he’s done on McCluggage and the way he’s done it in a final like this, he’s becoming a weapon for Chris Scott.” 8
35. PATRICK DANGERFIELD
Started on the ball next to Josh Dunkley before pushing forward to be manned up by Darcy Gardiner. Some selfless team-first moments, especially in the first half. 6
38. JACK HENRY
Started on Logan Morris. Had a strong intercept presence early and was reliable with ball in hand all night. 7
39. ZACH GUTHRIE
Went to Charlie Cameron, who got free to kick the first goal of the game. Also had a brainfade in the second term, pushing Cam Rayner over that led to a Brisbane goal in the goalsquare. Cameron, though, was ineffective, while Guthrie was solid on counter-attack. 6
42. MARK O’CONNOR
Followed Cam Rayner everywhere — whether it was on the ball or inside Brisbane’s forward 50. Was having a brilliant game until late in the second quarter when he was pinged for a (soft) free kick, leading to two Rayner goals. Outside of that a solid performance. 5
44. TOM STEWART
An excellent performance. Went to Cal Ah Chee early with the intention to get loose as often as possible. Was stiff to be pinged for an off-ball free kick in the second term, which led to a Kai Lohmann goal. But had an enormous second quarter, racking up nine disposals, four intercepts, 236m and a rare long-range goal. Then again controlled proceedings down back to allow the Cats to surge at the other end of the field. Fox Footy’s Jason Dunstall added: “This is the best game I’ve seen him play this year. When he’s in this sort of form, he takes Geelong to another level.” 8
45. BRAD CLOSE
Lined up next to Dayne Zorko. Very solid game, with a g goal from, 18 disposals, eight score involvements, five inside 50s and five tackles. 7
46. MARK BLICAVS
Footy’s best Swiss Army knife. Thrived early as the No. 1 ruck, with seven touches, three score involvements and four clearances in the first term alone. Continued to stretch Darcy Fort around the ground with his workrate. Added a goal and had the most clearances of any Cats player. 8
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