1. No Selwood, no worries
Josh Caddy was best on the ground for the Cats against the Bulldogs, his bullocking energy decisive from start to finish. He finished the game with 37 disposals, including 23 contested possessions but it was his decision making that made him so decisive. Mitch Duncan showed how good a player he has become with an exciting performance after nine weeks on the sidelines with a broken foot. His presence allows the Cats to create some overlap run. Cam Guthrie was as reliable as ever but the surprise packet was Jordan Murdoch. Having just re-signed with the Cats, he showed why they are excited about his future, picking up 18 disposals and winning the 50/50 ball often. He made one mistake that led to a Bulldogs goal but at 23 he is ready to emerge as another key to the Cats' midfield.

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2. Did the Bulldogs blow it?
In the third quarter the Bulldogs dominated the game with the ball spending more than 80 per cent of the time inside their forward 50. However they kicked just three goals from 19 inside 50s. It was the Bulldogs second highest inside 50 count in a quarter for the season, yet the Cats won the quarter by two points. Geelong's defenders were criticised the week before against North Melbourne but they regained their lustre with a resolute performance under pressure. The Bulldogs had not won at Simonds Stadium since round 16, 2003 and looked at times like they had forgotten how to win at the venue. The loss will be one they will rue.

3. How do you assess Steve Johnson?
He remains a smart player but his effectiveness has diminished. This game summed up why making a decision on his future will prove difficult for Geelong at the end of the season. Midway through the second quarter Johnson blew a gilt edged chance for a goal when he took a handball on the edge of the goalsquare only to have his kick smothered by Stewart Crameri when he took to long to get ball from hand to foot. However a mark he took in the third quarter before handballing to Tom Hawkins who strolled into an open goal was a reminder of how dangerous he can be. When Johnson found Steven Motlop with a short kick on his left foot with seconds remaining in the third quarter, his status as a favourite at Simonds Stadium was once again assured. More importantly from the team perspective, he quelled Easton Wood's rebound.

4. A tale of two Toms
Geelong forward Tom Hawkins was more mobile than he had been in the past month and was rewarded. He kicked three goals, took six marks and had a presence throughout. It took Hawkins many years to become one of the game's premier forwards. Tom Boyd will get to where Hawkins is now but he will take time too. Against the Cats he struggled to mark, not taking a grab inside 50 and was moved into the ruck for the final quarter where he performed well. The Bulldogs are not protecting him and he will emerge at some stage as a dominant forward.

5. Dahlhaus remains underrated
With all the hype around the Western Bulldogs' exciting batch of youngsters, Luke Dahlaus is often forgotten. But Dahlhaus kept the Bulldogs in the game throughout the middle stages and eventually Jake Stringer, Jack Macrae and Mitch Wallis (who was very good in his own right) joined in and began to run at the Cats. They put the pressure on their Cats' defence but were not able to make the most of their opportunities. Dahlhaus had 37 disposals and showed some of the club's bigger names up for effort. Marcus Bontempelli is, by contrast, in a bit of a flat spot and had just 17 disposals and little influence.