Too old, too slow? Geelong's team of veterans proved all the doubters wrong with a magnificent performance on the big stage in an 81-point thumping of Sydney in the grand final.
Nearly every Cats player had a strong contribution to the result, with several unsung heroes making their mark alongside the established stars.
The Sporting News rates Geelong's players in the AFL Grand Final against Sydney.
Jeremy Cameron - 7
Didn't have literal scoreboard impact early but three of his four first-half possessions were score involvements. Kicked two late goals and had a solid 18 disposals.
Patrick Dangerfield - 9
Six clearances from 10 possessions in the first half. A stoppage monster. Ended up with nine clearances and 12 score involvements. What a performance by him across all finals.
Tom Hawkins - 9
Broke the game open with the first two goals of the game. Could have won Norm if he had kicked straight. What a presence he is in the forward line. 67 goals for the season is super impressive.
Cameron Guthrie - 6
Not his best game but 15 of his 16 disposals were kicks and he drilled an important goal in the third quarter.
Tom Stewart - 6
Had to deal with a tag from Ryan Clarke. Didn't have much impact on the game but the Swans never really threatened in attack.
Tyson Stengle - 9
From the scrap heap to two goals in the opening half of a grand final. He kicked two more to end up with four for the game. His finishing is absolutely deadly. What a player. Only 23 years old.
Joel Selwood - 8
Had a mammoth 12 possessions as the Cats dominated the first quarter. Finished with an emotional goal in the last quarter and 26 possessions in a typical workmanlike performance.
Tom Atkins - 5
Only picked up 16 disposals and was relatively anonymous compared to Geelong's other stars, but he did some excellent work earlier in the finals series.
Sam De Koning - 8
An absolute wall across the Geelong defence. Five marks and six intercepts from his 12 possessions in the first half. What a player he is going to be.
Zach Tuohy - 7
Helped step up on the wing in the absence of Holmes, gathering 21 touches with his usual composure.
Mark Blicavs - 8
Kicked an important goal in the first quarter and roamed everywhere in the opening half to gather 11 disposals and eight hitouts. Finished with 23 disposals and 15 hitouts. A utility in the true form.
Gary Rohan - 4
Only seven touches for Rohan and not much impact in a final, but he has a premiership medal around his neck.
Mitch Duncan - 8
An unsung hero for Geelong. Made several important tackles. Used the ball efficiently. Kicked a goal. 27 possessions is a good return.
Gryan Miers - 6
Didn't have as much impact as the preliminary final but still had the pill 18 times.
Brad Close - 7
Snagged a goal and worked hard with his forward pressure in the first half. Ended up with two for the match in a solid performance.
Rhys Stanley - 7
Looked a bit shaky early in the game but shaded Hickey in the ruck battle across the first half. Didn't let the Swans ruckman into the match. Finished with 26 hitouts and is now a premiership ruckman.
Isaac Smith - 10
Smith wound back the clock in the first half with 15 disposals and two goals as he ran amok in a half-forward/wing role. Had 32 possessions for the game, three goals, 771 metres gained and 14 score involvements. One of the all-time great Grand Final performances.
Jack Henry - 6
Didn't have a huge impact on the match but contributed as part of a miserly Cats defence.
Zach Guthrie - 6
Had a great finals series and was composed when he had the ball in the big one.
Jake Kolodjashnij - 8
Did an excellent job quelling the likes of Heeney and Hayward when they drifted forward.
Jed Bews - 8
Did a superb job limiting the influence of Tom Papley when it mattered early in the match. Papley padded his stats later in the game.
Mark O'Connor - 6
Played his role in defence after coming into the team as a late replacement for Max Holmes.
Brandan Parfitt (sub) - 7
Eight disposals and a goal in 14 per cent game time. Not a bad haul and has a premiership medallion.
