The ruckman partenered with David Hale to go head-to-head with Nathan Vardy and Mark Blicavs. The Hawks big man gathered 11 disposals and won 18 hit-outs, the best of any ruckman on the ground, before he was subbed out of the contest in the third quarter so the Hawks could inject some more run into their side.
Grant Birchall - 6
As usual Birchall marshalled proceedings from half-back and through the wing. He came into the game in the third term, when he collected 12 disposals and started to gather the ball and move with it using his trademark run and carry. However, he will have a nervous weekend after a high bump on Geelong's Mathew Stokes in the third term, which floored the Cats midfielder and appeared to collect him high.
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Luke Breust - 4
If there is one Hawk who is most relieved at their progression through to the Grand Final, it has to be Breust. He continued his poor run of goalkicking this season by kicking one goal and three behinds, all of which were shots he should have converted. His final miss, which came in the fourth term, could have proved very costly, for had he kicked it the Hawks would have gained the lead. Luckily for Breust's sake, they did that anyway.
Shaun Burgoyne - 8
Burgoyne showed why the Hawks recruited him at the end of 2009 by producing one of the best performances of his career on the big stage. Having started in defence, matched up on Geelong speedster Steven Motlop, Burgoyne did all of his damage at the other end. He hit the scoreboard with his first goal in the second term but saved his best for the last quarter with some incredible moments. He beat Andrew Mackie in a one-on-one contest in the goalsquare to set up Jack Gunston for a goal, and then rammed home his third goal with less than six minutes left to play. It was a huge performance from the 30-year-old, with 24 classy disposals.
Lance Franklin - 4
His night appeared almost over after leaving the ground in the first quarter cradling his right arm after it was crunched in a tackle. But Franklin returned in the second, with his elbow strapped, and did his bit around the ground. Got the ball rolling in the final term by kicking the first goal of the quarter, a trickling soccer kick along the ground, but Tom Lonergan probably had his measure.
Josh Gibson - 5
The reliable defender made a couple of uncharacteristic errors by dropping a mark and missing a kick across goal in the first term, which resulted in a goal to Geelong. But he continued to play his role, and matched mostly on James Podsiadly, Gibson held his own.
Brent Guerra - 6
Enjoyed a vintage moment in the first quarter, when he was unmarked, sensed his chance, and called for the ball from a stationary play. He took a couple of quick steps and sent the ball in for a long goal, which was one of Guerra's 10 first-quarter touches. Looked to suffer a corked thigh in the second term but played out the game, and mopped up calmly when under threat in the fourth term.
Jack Gunston – 8
The most damaging forward on the ground with four goals in another consistent showing. The straight-shooter nailed the first goal of the night with a kick from on the 50-metre line and continued to be hard for Geelong to contain. Gunston set up others, too, passing to Hill for a goal in the second quarter. While Franklin and Roughead continue to get the headlines, Gunston has proved himself to be a star, and a possible superstar of the future.
David Hale - 8
Started his night with a bang when he plucked a big mark in the opening quarter, outmarking Blicavs. Hale missed the subsequent shot at goal but took another grab later in the term and didn't make the same mistake. There were some concerns when Hale appeared to hurt his knee in the third term but he played the game out and was the most influential ruckman on the ground kicking two goals, and taking seven marks.
Bradley Hill - 7
Put in a ripper in the second final of his young, emerging career. Had seven disposals by quarter-time but kept going, and kicked a thrilling goal in the last term after making Jimmy Bartel pay for a sloppy kick. Hill missed a shot with four minutes to play which would have probably sealed the win, but it didn't matter. Hill finished with 18 disposals.
Luke Hodge - 5
Didn't have the same impact of his best-on-ground effort in the qualifying final win over the Sydney Swans. Could muster only three first-quarter disposals, and although he came into the game and finished with 15, he was far from his best. Stationed across half-back, at one point he took on resting Cats ruckman Mark Blicavs.
Brian Lake - 6
Played generally on the resting ruckman. Lake didn’t have much of an attacking influence, and made a terrible clanger in the third term. Stood up with a couple of crucial, strong marks in the last quarter to halt the Cats' attack on goal.
Jordan Lewis - 4
Lewis has played far better finals than this one. Didn't get his night started in great fashion after giving away an undisciplined free kick and then a 50-metre penalty, which resulted in an early goal to Steve Johnson. Put his head over the ball in the clinches and was a warrior throughout, but only had 14 disposals.
Sam Mitchell - 9
If Mitchell has played a better final in his illustrious career, then it is hard to remember. He amassed 38 disposals and was the most dominant player on the ground, gathering 14 disposals in the third term. Such is his leadership, Mitchell reads the game so well that he knows when to push himself across half-back to settle things down, and when to move into the midfield and get the ball his side's way. Had an incredible 11 clearances and sent the ball inside-50 on eight occasions.
Paul Puopolo - 6
Had 18 touches but didn't have a huge impact with them. Seemed to play in the middle more than most weeks, starting in the centre square after a number of goals.
Cyril Rioli - 5
Returning from his ankle injury, Rioli started slowly with only four touches in the first quarter. He appeared a little out of sorts, fumbled when he usually wouldn't and even lost his feet on occasion - something rare with Rioli. He missed a flying snap at goal in the final term as the Hawks were closing in on the win but will be better for the run and will lap up another Grand Final next week.
Jarryd Roughead - 5
Had a big collision with Mitch Duncan early in the game which appeared to take the wind out of him, and he didn't quite reach his best for the night. Took a strong mark on the half-time siren but couldn't convert the tight shot.
Brad Sewell - 4
Had only six disposals to half-time as the ageing midfielder struggled to get himself into the game. Finished with 16 and had a couple of important disposals, but won only one clearance.
Liam Shiels - 6
Shiels did a good job of tagging Cats skipper Joel Selwood early in the game, limiting the gun midfielder to only two touches in the first quarter. He moved onto Steve Johnson in the second term as he threatened to run riot, and did a reasonable job at curtailing him slightly. Missed a crucial shot in the last quarter as the Hawks trailed, but it did not come back to haunt him.
Isaac Smith - 6
Used his amazing gut run and speed to provide an option throughout the night, and was still running at the end. The wingman had 18 disposals and sent the ball inside 50 four times.
Ben Stratton - 4
Saved his best for last after gathering only two disposals to three-quarter time. Found it another nine times in the final term, and seemed to be everywhere jumping, diving and leaping for grabs. Countered a number of opponents through the night, including Jordan Murdoch and Allen Christensen.
Brendan Whitecross - 2
Started as the substitute and came into the game in the third term when Bailey was pulled out. Had little impact before suffering what is feared to be a torn anterior cruciate ligament late in the game, the same injury that he endured in the qualifying final last year.
Twitter: @AFL_CalTwomey
Shaun Burgoyne - 8
Burgoyne showed why the Hawks recruited him at the end of 2009 by producing one of the best performances of his career on the big stage. Having started in defence, matched up on Geelong speedster Steven Motlop, Burgoyne did all of his damage at the other end. He hit the scoreboard with his first goal in the second term but saved his best for the last quarter with some incredible moments. He beat Andrew Mackie in a one-on-one contest in the goalsquare to set up Jack Gunston for a goal, and then rammed home his third goal with less than six minutes left to play. It was a huge performance from the 30-year-old, with 24 classy disposals.
Lance Franklin - 4
His night appeared almost over after leaving the ground in the first quarter cradling his right arm after it was crunched in a tackle. But Franklin returned in the second, with his elbow strapped, and did his bit around the ground. Got the ball rolling in the final term by kicking the first goal of the quarter, a trickling soccer kick along the ground, but Tom Lonergan probably had his measure.
Josh Gibson - 5
The reliable defender made a couple of uncharacteristic errors by dropping a mark and missing a kick across goal in the first term, which resulted in a goal to Geelong. But he continued to play his role, and matched mostly on James Podsiadly, Gibson held his own.
Brent Guerra - 6
Enjoyed a vintage moment in the first quarter, when he was unmarked, sensed his chance, and called for the ball from a stationary play. He took a couple of quick steps and sent the ball in for a long goal, which was one of Guerra's 10 first-quarter touches. Looked to suffer a corked thigh in the second term but played out the game, and mopped up calmly when under threat in the fourth term.
Jack Gunston – 8
The most damaging forward on the ground with four goals in another consistent showing. The straight-shooter nailed the first goal of the night with a kick from on the 50-metre line and continued to be hard for Geelong to contain. Gunston set up others, too, passing to Hill for a goal in the second quarter. While Franklin and Roughead continue to get the headlines, Gunston has proved himself to be a star, and a possible superstar of the future.
David Hale - 8
Started his night with a bang when he plucked a big mark in the opening quarter, outmarking Blicavs. Hale missed the subsequent shot at goal but took another grab later in the term and didn't make the same mistake. There were some concerns when Hale appeared to hurt his knee in the third term but he played the game out and was the most influential ruckman on the ground kicking two goals, and taking seven marks.
Bradley Hill - 7
Put in a ripper in the second final of his young, emerging career. Had seven disposals by quarter-time but kept going, and kicked a thrilling goal in the last term after making Jimmy Bartel pay for a sloppy kick. Hill missed a shot with four minutes to play which would have probably sealed the win, but it didn't matter. Hill finished with 18 disposals.
Luke Hodge - 5
Didn't have the same impact of his best-on-ground effort in the qualifying final win over the Sydney Swans. Could muster only three first-quarter disposals, and although he came into the game and finished with 15, he was far from his best. Stationed across half-back, at one point he took on resting Cats ruckman Mark Blicavs.
Brian Lake - 6
Played generally on the resting ruckman. Lake didn’t have much of an attacking influence, and made a terrible clanger in the third term. Stood up with a couple of crucial, strong marks in the last quarter to halt the Cats' attack on goal.
Jordan Lewis - 4
Lewis has played far better finals than this one. Didn't get his night started in great fashion after giving away an undisciplined free kick and then a 50-metre penalty, which resulted in an early goal to Steve Johnson. Put his head over the ball in the clinches and was a warrior throughout, but only had 14 disposals.
Sam Mitchell - 9
If Mitchell has played a better final in his illustrious career, then it is hard to remember. He amassed 38 disposals and was the most dominant player on the ground, gathering 14 disposals in the third term. Such is his leadership, Mitchell reads the game so well that he knows when to push himself across half-back to settle things down, and when to move into the midfield and get the ball his side's way. Had an incredible 11 clearances and sent the ball inside-50 on eight occasions.
Paul Puopolo - 6
Had 18 touches but didn't have a huge impact with them. Seemed to play in the middle more than most weeks, starting in the centre square after a number of goals.
Cyril Rioli - 5
Returning from his ankle injury, Rioli started slowly with only four touches in the first quarter. He appeared a little out of sorts, fumbled when he usually wouldn't and even lost his feet on occasion - something rare with Rioli. He missed a flying snap at goal in the final term as the Hawks were closing in on the win but will be better for the run and will lap up another Grand Final next week.
Jarryd Roughead - 5
Had a big collision with Mitch Duncan early in the game which appeared to take the wind out of him, and he didn't quite reach his best for the night. Took a strong mark on the half-time siren but couldn't convert the tight shot.
Brad Sewell - 4
Had only six disposals to half-time as the ageing midfielder struggled to get himself into the game. Finished with 16 and had a couple of important disposals, but won only one clearance.
Liam Shiels - 6
Shiels did a good job of tagging Cats skipper Joel Selwood early in the game, limiting the gun midfielder to only two touches in the first quarter. He moved onto Steve Johnson in the second term as he threatened to run riot, and did a reasonable job at curtailing him slightly. Missed a crucial shot in the last quarter as the Hawks trailed, but it did not come back to haunt him.
Isaac Smith - 6
Used his amazing gut run and speed to provide an option throughout the night, and was still running at the end. The wingman had 18 disposals and sent the ball inside 50 four times.
Ben Stratton - 4
Saved his best for last after gathering only two disposals to three-quarter time. Found it another nine times in the final term, and seemed to be everywhere jumping, diving and leaping for grabs. Countered a number of opponents through the night, including Jordan Murdoch and Allen Christensen.
Brendan Whitecross - 2
Started as the substitute and came into the game in the third term when Bailey was pulled out. Had little impact before suffering what is feared to be a torn anterior cruciate ligament late in the game, the same injury that he endured in the qualifying final last year.
Twitter: @AFL_CalTwomey
