Harry Cunningham – 4
After a handy final against Essendon, Cunningham had virtually no impact against the Cats. He had a lot of mates in the same sinking boat.

Lance Franklin – 4
The Coleman medallist would have rubbed his hands together when his nemesis Tom Lonergan was ruled out with illness, but he found it just as tough against Harry Taylor and his trusty helpers. It was perhaps Franklin's worst final, albeit in a terrible team performance. Managed just three behinds and was understandably disappointed to miss a couple of them either side of half-time.

It was a frustrating night for Lance Franklin. Picture: AFL Photos

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Heath Grundy – 7
Probably the Swans' only winner on a dark night. Kept Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins to just three marks and one junk-time goal, but the veteran wasn't able to exert his usual influence as an intercept player. Had just 11 touches and wasn't the rebounding force we've come to expect.

Dan Hannebery – 6
The gun midfielder was good without being dominant. Had an equal game-high 15 touches at half-time but his impact waned. With Kennedy shut down, the left-footer was without a key supply line. No inside 50s.

Dan Hannebery wasn't the worst of the Sydney midfielders. Picture: AFL Photos

Isaac Heeney – 5
The prodigiously talented runner was workmanlike and had his moments – such as when he hit Franklin with a beautiful pass that went unrewarded in the third term – but, like many of his teammates, lacked the overall consistency of the Cats.

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George Hewett – 5
The young forward tried hard and would have had a much better game if he'd capitalised on a couple of sharp scoring opportunities. Alas, he missed a quick snap from point-blank range in the second quarter and put a running shot out on the full early in the third.

Kieren Jack – 6
The experienced left-footer was in everything in the first term, collecting game-high tallies of possessions (10) and contested possessions (five) and soccering a smart goal. He finished with 23 touches and six clearances but wasn't the same player after the first change.

Zak Jones – 4
The hard-edged midfielder enjoyed a breakout season but will be disappointed with his performance against the Cats. Fumbled uncharacteristically and didn't provide the run the Swans so desperately needed.

Josh Kennedy – 4
'Mr September' had previously averaged 29 possessions in finals but was reduced to mere mortal status by Mark Blicavs, managing just 20 touches – his lowest tally in his past 18 finals. Also had just three clearances.

Jake Lloyd – 5
Quality young player who was one of the few Swans to perform somewhere near their capabilities. Had an equal game-high seven defensive rebounds.

Jarrad McVeigh – 5
The veteran endured a 300th game he'd rather forget. In his customary sweeping role across half-back, McVeigh kicked a much-needed goal late in the second term and was mobbed by every teammate. Had the chance to edge his team closer just after half-time but hit the woodwork with a banana kick.

Jarrad McVeigh would have liked a better 300th game. Picture: AFL Photos

Callum Mills – 5
Had his hands full with various opponents when he and his fellow defenders were under siege. Gave away a panicky holding free to Dangerfield that resulted in an early goal. Soccered a goal himself against the tide in the last quarter.

Sam Naismith – 5
The Swans big man competed hard and halved the ruck duels with Zac Smith, but didn't do as much in general play as the agile Cat.

Nic Newman – 5
The mature-age recruit has been a revelation this year but his precise left-foot kicking wasn't up to its usual high standard. Admittedly, this was partly due to the pressure applied by the opposition and the fact he was rarely allowed space to be creative.

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Tom Papley – 4
The second-year small forward was a clear victim of a lack of supply and opportunity. Started promisingly enough, bursting clear to set up Sam Reid for the game's first goal. Was sore in the second term after copping a heavy tackle, but kicked a goal late in the third quarter.

Luke Parker – 3
Another Swans star to have a shocker. Had just 13 touches – his equal-lowest tally in more than four years. Winded in the first term after a heavy hit, Parker was largely tagged out of it by Scott Selwood.

It was a dirty night for Luke Parker. Picture: AFL Photos

Dane Rampe – 4
The versatile backman lowered his colours for one of the few times in recent seasons. Given the job on Cats superstar Patrick Dangerfield, he conceded eight shots at goal for four majors in the first half before being moved after the long break. Battled it out, but by then it was game over.

Sam Reid – 4
Kicked the game's first goal after running hard to make position and looked set to pose problems for the Cats. But had just five more kicks and struggled to get involved in the action, even when he was swung behind the ball.

Gary Rohan – 3
Left the field early with a back issue, which was some excuse for the speedster barely being sighted. Had just one kick in the first three quarters and broke free just once when he went on one of his long, weaving runs.

Callum Sinclair – 2
In slippery conditions early that weren't conducive to his high-marking game, the tall forward was unable to reproduce his form of a week ago. Had just two possessions, despite having several stints in the ruck, and was scoreless.

Nick Smith – 5
The reliable backman's biggest contribution was to limit Dangerfield in attack when swung onto him after half-time. Didn't win much of the ball himself, but kept the Cats champ scoreless. 

Dean Towers – 4
Another Swans forward who struggled while being starved of opportunities, the versatile option had just three disposals in the first half. Improved in the second half but it was a case of too little, too late.

Dean Towers fought out the game but to no avail. Picture: AFL Photos