YOU WOULD have sworn Paul Chapman was trying to prove a point. Big game, knockout final, a seasoned campaigner playing to get his side a step closer to another Grand Final. And perhaps reminding some of a few things along the way.
Chapman's first term against Port Adelaide set the tone for his night. He kicked the opening goal of the game, a curling, swinging snap from the pocket, and 15 minutes later did the same for his second.
Much of this season has been about the new breed of Cats – Steven Motlop's spark, Mitch Duncan's smarts, Mark Blicavs' athleticism. But in a semi-final first term, it was Chapman who was Geelong's leading possession winner, in only his eighth game of an injury-riddled season.
By the end he was the Cats’ best player, but not without some drama in between. The 31-year-old finished with 20 disposals and four goals – a season-high tally that came at the most important time. It might have also been for the final time.
In the third term, Chapman was reported for a high bump on Power forward Robbie Gray.
Gray won a free kick for late contact, and it appeared Chapman's shoulder connected with Gray's chin, much like the bump that saw Lance Franklin suspended for last week's Hawthorn v Sydney Swans qualifying final.
The report didn't divert Chapman's attention from playing a huge role in the win, but will be playing on the mind of many Cats fans over the weekend.
It leaves Chapman's career at the Cats delicately poised. He has said numerous times this year he wants to play on in 2014, even stating it would be "unfair" if he didn't get another contract as he has more to give.
As teammate Tom Lonergan said after the game, in this form, Chapman could play longer.
"He was outstanding," Lonergan said.
"He performs on the big stage and really gave us some composure at the right time, so he was great. If he keeps playing like that, you'd be happy to [have him keep playing]."
Geelong’s is a tight list, one with a number of young, emerging players. But the older firm, led by Chapman, continues to contribute.
Joel Corey seems likely to retire at season's end, but he played another excellent role against the Power. Matched occasionally against Tom Logan, who was a hero in the Power's surprise elimination final win against Collingwood, Corey kept him to 18 touches with minimal impact.
Corey's greatest influence came in the third term, when he won centre clearances like he has always been able: head over the ball, a twist of the hips, a sharp, direct handball to send the Cats on their away.
By the last term, the 31-year-old, in his 275th game, drifted forward. He won a dubious free kick in the goalsquare and duly converted it, before floating into the hole later in the term but shanking his shot.
Josh Hunt came into the side at the expense of fellow veteran Corey Enright, who has a knee injury. His season has been sporadic – a few good games mixed with some quiet ones, and some strong form at VFL level.
His game against the Power was not as memorable as Chapman’s, nor as significant as Corey’s, but he too did what was required.
With Enright all but ruled out for the last two weeks of the season, Hunt offers strength and experience to the Cats' backline. Early, the Port Adelaide forward line was too fleet of foot and made the Cats' defence appear disorganised.
They got a hold of things after half-time, and Hunt offered a stable hand. At times after the main break he lined up on Angus Monfries, who was the best player on the ground to half-time.
The clever half-forward had only six possessions in the second half, while Hunt took control of the kick-ins after they too had an element of nerves to them in the initial stages.
It wasn’t all about Geelong’s veteran core; the youngsters did their bit too. Motlop chipped in with a couple of brilliant goals at the end, and imposing ruckman Nathan Vardy grabbed hold of some strong contested marks. But the old firm proved it, too, would play a big part in the Cats' premiership hopes.
