Who sizzled?
Everyone's second favourite footballer, Michael Barlow, has been an exceptional midfielder since his debut season in 2010, overcoming the major setback of a broken leg to rekindle his career. Barlow sparked the Dockers in the second quarter with eight disposals, combining with Nathan Fyfe and David Mundy to take over in the midfield. His goal from a stoppage when Geelong had the momentum righted the ship and he ended the game with three goals. The Dockers trio lifted from 11 disposals between them in the first quarter to 26 in the second. They ended the game with 75 disposals to prove a crucial point of difference.
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Who fizzled?
Travis Varcoe won plenty of the ball but he has not been able to rediscover his customary run and drive out of defence. He turned the ball over when he decided to kick and overused t by hand. Varcoe tried hard but could not get clear as the Dockers placed all the Geelong runners under extraordinary pressure.
The moment
Stephen Hill ran off the interchange bench with two minutes to go surprising the Cats and ran into space. He had several bounces before he steadied and put the Dockers 16 points in front with little time remaining. He had been held early but his two second half goals were sensational.
The stat
Geelong has been handballing as much as kicking for the past six weeks to great effect. However under pressure in a final it proved their undoing. In the first half the Cats had 92 kicks to 83 handballs and were looking to move it by hand at any opportunity. However Fremantle's pressure forced turnover after turnover and gave Geelong no respite. Fremantle ended the game with 69 tackles but their ability to deny Geelong space was critical and they won the overall clearances 43 to 22.
3-2-1
One vote: Andrew Mackie
Courageous performance under fire for most of the game. He put his head over the ball at every opportunity and he just kept putting the ball forward. His efforts in quelling the Dockers small forwards, particularly in the absence of Corey Enright after half-time was brave.
Two votes: Lee Spurr
What a performance in just his 34th game and third final. Spurr mopped up everything that hit the ground in defence and created run through the middle of the ground. A match-saving mark at the 20-minute mark was crucial.
Three votes: Michael Barlow
Brilliant after a quiet first quarter. Barlow kicked three goals and just kept presenting himself at contests. His third quarter goal from a stoppage halted Geelong's momentum.
The replay they won't want to see
Five minutes into the third quarter with Fremantle pressing, Zac Dawson committed the mortal sin electing for a double-fisted punch when clear in the middle of the ground rather than marking. Geelong won back possession as a result and ran the ball down to Steven Motlop who ran into goal and kicked a banana through. It gave the Cats the lead.
The move
Starting Ryan Crowley on Mathew Stokes was a surprise and it didn't take long for Ross Lyon to realise it was an error. Steve Johnson was off the chain with seven disposals in the first 12 minutes and 12 for the opening quarter. Crowley went on to Johnson and subdued him keeping him to just eight disposals in the final three quarters.
Turning point
Aaron Sandilands was critical forward in the third quarter. The giant Docker kicked a goal late in the quarter after Tom Lonergan gave away a free kick and he manufactured two stoppage goals – to Michael Barlow and Stephen Hill.
The tone-setter
Steve Johnson opened with a bang. He kicked two goals and had 12 disposals in the first quarter. He attacked the ball with great intent and showed his class in the clinches. Johnson looked headed for a sublime performance until Ryan Crowley sidled up next to him. Suddenly the day became much harder for the proven finals performer.
