David Astbury – 7
Kept Tom Hawkins to one goal – which came from a free kick against Astbury in the third quarter – so he did his job. Hawkins had to venture outside the 50m arc for most of his possessions. 

Nathan Broad – 4
Will be remembered for his horror turnover on the tick of half-time that saw Cam Guthrie rush the ball forward for a Patrick Dangerfield goal that ignited the Cats' fightback. Was pretty solid outside of that brain fade and set up a crucial third-quarter goal for Nick Vlastuin.

Full match coverage and stats

Dan Butler – 5
The best of the Tigers' small forwards. Kicked a great close-range goal over his head in the second term, but missed a set-shot sitter in the final quarter. Made up for it by feeding Josh Caddy not long after for his second goal. 

Josh Caddy – 7
Added dynamism to the Richmond attack and was particularly good in the opening half, although he should have made more of his goal-scoring chances. Deservedly slotted a second major in the last-quarter avalanche.

SHOWREEL: Tigers feast on Cats with ferocious pressure

Jason Castagna – 3
Another quiet game from Castagna and he might be under some pressure to retain his spot. Flew high to clutch a nice pack grab then kicked truly in the final term, but was very fumbly on the night. 

Trent Cotchin – 8
The Tiger skipper spun out of a tackle brilliantly for a highlight-reel goal in the last quarter to cap a quality performance. Had five tackles and five clearances to quarter-time to engineer Richmond's strong start and never cooled off. 

Shane Edwards – 7
Warmed to the task after a so-so beginning, and was a big factor in the Tigers snatching back the momentum in the third term. Had three shots on goal in the quarter for 1.1 and had 16 of his 24 touches after half-time. 

Brandon Ellis – 4
One of the few Tigers not to fire on the night. Put his body on the line in a second-term collision with Patrick Dangerfield and hurt his right shoulder in the process. Only nine possessions for a player that averaged almost 24 a game in the home and away season.

Five things we learned from Geelong v Richmond

Jack Graham – 6
The third-gamer laid six tackles to the first break, including winning two free kicks from them, and ended the match with nine. Only three players had more than Graham's 23 pressure acts. Didn't win much of the ball, but was a strong contributor. 

Shaun Grigg – 6
Improved the longer the game went and capped one spectacular Dustin Martin passage with a goal from the square. Saved his best for the third quarter when Richmond needed him most. Filled his usual role as an undersized ruckman at times. 

Dylan Grimes – 6
Had the job on Patrick Dangerfield when the superstar went forward and also went onto Harry Taylor briefly when Alex Rance left the field under the blood rule in the opening term. The Tigers' spare-parts man was typically serviceable.

Bachar Houli – 6
Wasn't among Richmond's best players, but did some nice things across the contest. Copped a late hit to the head in a marking contest from young Cat Brandan Parfitt in the second term, but battled on manfully. 

Kane Lambert – 7
One of the stories of the Tigers' fairytale campaign. Rarely puts a foot wrong and was very good again through the midfield. Kicked the sealing goal in the fourth quarter after a string of slick Richmond handballs.

Dustin Martin – 9
The numbers weren't as stunning as usual, but his impact was immense. Tore the game to shreds after Geelong threatened to overrun the Tigers in the third quarter. His second half was outrageous, with the fend-off king using his greatest weapon to scintillating effect to set up goals to Dion Prestia and Shaun Grigg.

GAME-BREAKER: Martin fires the Tigers into a prelim

Kamdyn McIntosh – 6
Worked hard all night in his trademark unheralded fashion. Coach Damien Hardwick can hand the versatile runner any job and he will get it done with a minimum of fuss. 

Tony Nankervis – 5
Lowered his colours in the ruck, but never stopped trying. Struggled to match athletic Cat Zac Smith in the taps and had little influence around the ground. 

Dion Prestia – 7
Won an equal-game-high 31 possessions and no-one hunted down more of the contested variety (18). The knock on his game was the usual one – he wasn't always clean. Went at only 48 per cent efficiency and was fumbly on occasion. 

Alex Rance – 8
You don't beat Alex Rance twice in a row. The four-time All Australian destroyed Harry Taylor in the return bout despite copping an errant knee to the head in the first quarter and landing heavily on his back in the fourth term. Perhaps only Dusty was better. 

Jack Riewoldt – 7
Forget the fact he kicked only one goal. This was an influential Riewoldt effort. Was active from the outset, his hands were good in the air and he finally hit the scoreboard for maximum points in the last quarter. Great battle with Tom Lonergan.

Daniel Rioli – 5
Threatened to do something magical on occasion, but never quite hit his straps. Forward pressure was good, so he did his bit in that department. 

Jacob Townsend – 4
Looked like he might be the hero again when he kicked a dramatic soccer goal in the first three minutes, but didn't have his second kick until the 10-minute mark of the fourth term. That was a goal, too, so he wasn't the worst.

Nick Vlastuin – 7
This bloke doesn't know how to play a bad game. Incredibly efficient footballer who is a major part of the Richmond defence. His nerveless third-quarter finish from barely inside 50 was a dagger to Geelong hearts.