The Brownlow medallist played a curious role, switching between the back pocket, the forward pocket and the midfield. At times he was lined-up against Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston, and a minute or two later was spotted in attack. Bartel had 16 disposals but made an uncharacteristic blunder in the last term. Instead of rushing a behind, he scrapped a kick that handed in the hands of Bradley Hill, who kicked a goal.
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Mark Blicavs - 2
Looked overwhelmed at times and was outpointed by David Hale. Found only eight touches and could manage only eight hit-outs. Will be better for the experience but was beaten against the Hawks.
Josh Caddy - 8
Brought into the side following his strong showing against Hawthorn in round 15, and started as the substitute. Immediately had an impact when activated into the game, setting up a goal, taking another contested mark and having an influence around the ground with seven disposals in the third term. He kicked a brilliant goal in the final term that seemed set to be the match-winner seven minutes in. However, it ended up as the Cats' final goal as the Hawks rocketed home.
Watch the last two minutes of this epic preliminary final
Allen Christensen - 6
A member of the Cats' new breed, Christensen played a strong preliminary final. He made the Hawks pay early, spinning out of a tackle and kicking an important goal on the stroke of quarter-time from outside 50. But there on he continued to add clever little passes, clean handballs and always be a threat in attack.
Joel Corey - 5
In what seems likely to be the champion midfielder's last AFL game, Corey went head-to-head with Jordan Lewis for a lot of the game. While Lewis did not have a huge impact, neither did Corey, who collected 16 disposals. He also laid seven tackles.
Mitch Duncan - 6
The emerging star showed his courage several times in marking contests, including in the first term when he backed into an oncoming Jarryd Roughead. Duncan felt the effects of the crunching contest, but saved what would have been a certain mark for the powerful forward. Duncan ran up and down the wing through the game, and took some telling marks late in the game as Hawthorn sent the ball deep into attack.
Cameron Guthrie - 7
Guthrie played one of the better 11-possession games you are likely to see. Spent a lot of time on Cyril Rioli, who he managed to negate, but was also clean with his disposal and sharp with his decision making. As Geelong surged in the third term, Guthrie played an important role, and even took two bounces and slotted a running goal from 50.
Tom Hawkins - 6
Despite some speculation Hawkins would be a late withdrawal with his on-going back complaint, he took the field and put in a very good effort. In the second quarter he caught Ben Stratton holding the ball and had a shot at goal, and whenever the ball came his way he pushed to the front of the contest and was determined on bringing down the mark. Had only 10 disposals but did not look as limited as he has at times this season.
Josh Hunt - 3
The veteran defender spent some time on Hawks forward Luke Breust, but had an indifferent night in what could be his final game for the club. Hunt dropped a mark in the second quarter that he should have grabbed and had a couple of other wobbly moments before he was subbed out of the contest in the third term.
Steve Johnson - 9
Had Geelong won, Johnson would have been feted all week after a stunning performance. By half-time the freakish midfielder had 17 disposals and three goals to his name. He finished with 32 touches and four goals and was probably only behind Sam Mitchell as the best player of the game. Attacked the contest ferociously but added his usual layer of class and creativity to everything he touched. A terrific game.
James Kelly - 4
It just wasn't Kelly's night. After a strong game in the semi-final win over Port Adelaide, Kelly could find only 12 disposals against Hawthorn.
Tom Lonergan - 7
As was predicted from the moment the final siren rang last week, Lonergan resumed duties on Lance Franklin, who he holds a good record against. Again he held the brilliant Hawks forward to a quiet night, with Franklin kicking only one goal, which was booted off the ground from the goalsquare. Lonergan played his role well.
Andrew Mackie - 5
A number of Cats did not have high possession totals, which was obvious in the final disposal count (Geelong had 293 to Hawthorn's 383). Mackie was one of those, picking up 13 touches in a quieter display. He was better in the second half after finding just four touches to the main break but did not have a very offensive night like he has done many times this season, which saw him named an All Australian this week.
Steven Motlop - 8
Motlop proved himself as perhaps the most improved – and exciting – player in the competition with an electric performance. His night started in a blaze of skill, when he picked up a stray handball at top pace inside forward 50, and kicked a check-sided goal. His use of the ball through the middle of the ground was superb, and he kicked another stunning goal in the third quarter from the pocket.
Jordan Murdoch - 5
The youngster was an inclusion to the side, and overcame an early fumble to make an impact. His snap goal with seconds to play in the third term will go down in finals infamy. It came after a controversial umpiring decision which saw the officials choose to throw the ball in despite replays showing it to clearly be an out-on-the-full free kick to the Hawks. Murdoch plucked it from the contest and swung it onto his right side to give the Cats a 20-point lead.
James Podsiadly - 3
Podsiadly's best moment of the game won't be found on the statistics sheet. In the second term, with the ball about to go through for a spoiled behind, Podsiadly leapt and tapped it back into play over his shoulder. Like a trick from the Harlem Globetrotters, it landed at the feet of Nathan Vardy, who snapped the goal. Podsiadly finished with eight disposals.
Jared Rivers - 4
The former Melbourne defender started on Jack Gunston, but didn't have a touch at quarter-time. He seemed to struggle early on with the tempo of the game but soon caught up with it and took a couple of strong marks later on.
Joel Selwood - 8
Kept to two touches in the opening term, but made up for it and finished with 23 disposals. This year the Geelong skipper has added a new string to his bow by kicking goals, and again on Friday night he showed the ability to hit the scoreboard. In the third term he helped set up a goal with his dogged attack on the ball, and then he booted one himself. A leader born to play in September.
Mathew Stokes - 7
Stokes was crunched by Grant Birchall in the third quarter but it did not stop the relentless midfielder from attacking the ball like a man possessed. Had 21 disposals, 10 of which were contested, and had five clearances, showing his ability to win the ball but also spread from them.
Harry Taylor - 6
Taylor played mainly on Roughead and probably won the duel. He even drifted forward and kicked a goal with less than a minute to play in the third term, putting his side up by 14 points.
Travis Varcoe - 3
The speedy wingman was lined up for some of the night on Bradley Hill, who probably had Varcoe's measure. Varcoe is classy and skilful with the ball but had only nine touches for the night, with his final one likely to replayed in the minds of Geelong supporters for some time yet. With 35 seconds to play, Varcoe gathered the ball 30 metres out from goal directly in front. The Cats trailed by six points, but his shot missed to the right and the Hawks won by five points in a tense finish to a thrilling game.
Nathan Vardy - 3
One of Vardy's five possessions was a goal, and another set up a goal for Bartel. But, a little like his rucking partner Blicavs, Vardy could not generate much of a presence during the game.
Twitter: @AFL_CalTwomey
Allen Christensen - 6
A member of the Cats' new breed, Christensen played a strong preliminary final. He made the Hawks pay early, spinning out of a tackle and kicking an important goal on the stroke of quarter-time from outside 50. But there on he continued to add clever little passes, clean handballs and always be a threat in attack.
Joel Corey - 5
In what seems likely to be the champion midfielder's last AFL game, Corey went head-to-head with Jordan Lewis for a lot of the game. While Lewis did not have a huge impact, neither did Corey, who collected 16 disposals. He also laid seven tackles.
Mitch Duncan - 6
The emerging star showed his courage several times in marking contests, including in the first term when he backed into an oncoming Jarryd Roughead. Duncan felt the effects of the crunching contest, but saved what would have been a certain mark for the powerful forward. Duncan ran up and down the wing through the game, and took some telling marks late in the game as Hawthorn sent the ball deep into attack.
Cameron Guthrie - 7
Guthrie played one of the better 11-possession games you are likely to see. Spent a lot of time on Cyril Rioli, who he managed to negate, but was also clean with his disposal and sharp with his decision making. As Geelong surged in the third term, Guthrie played an important role, and even took two bounces and slotted a running goal from 50.
Tom Hawkins - 6
Despite some speculation Hawkins would be a late withdrawal with his on-going back complaint, he took the field and put in a very good effort. In the second quarter he caught Ben Stratton holding the ball and had a shot at goal, and whenever the ball came his way he pushed to the front of the contest and was determined on bringing down the mark. Had only 10 disposals but did not look as limited as he has at times this season.
Josh Hunt - 3
The veteran defender spent some time on Hawks forward Luke Breust, but had an indifferent night in what could be his final game for the club. Hunt dropped a mark in the second quarter that he should have grabbed and had a couple of other wobbly moments before he was subbed out of the contest in the third term.
Steve Johnson - 9
Had Geelong won, Johnson would have been feted all week after a stunning performance. By half-time the freakish midfielder had 17 disposals and three goals to his name. He finished with 32 touches and four goals and was probably only behind Sam Mitchell as the best player of the game. Attacked the contest ferociously but added his usual layer of class and creativity to everything he touched. A terrific game.
James Kelly - 4
It just wasn't Kelly's night. After a strong game in the semi-final win over Port Adelaide, Kelly could find only 12 disposals against Hawthorn.
Tom Lonergan - 7
As was predicted from the moment the final siren rang last week, Lonergan resumed duties on Lance Franklin, who he holds a good record against. Again he held the brilliant Hawks forward to a quiet night, with Franklin kicking only one goal, which was booted off the ground from the goalsquare. Lonergan played his role well.
Andrew Mackie - 5
A number of Cats did not have high possession totals, which was obvious in the final disposal count (Geelong had 293 to Hawthorn's 383). Mackie was one of those, picking up 13 touches in a quieter display. He was better in the second half after finding just four touches to the main break but did not have a very offensive night like he has done many times this season, which saw him named an All Australian this week.
Steven Motlop - 8
Motlop proved himself as perhaps the most improved – and exciting – player in the competition with an electric performance. His night started in a blaze of skill, when he picked up a stray handball at top pace inside forward 50, and kicked a check-sided goal. His use of the ball through the middle of the ground was superb, and he kicked another stunning goal in the third quarter from the pocket.
Jordan Murdoch - 5
The youngster was an inclusion to the side, and overcame an early fumble to make an impact. His snap goal with seconds to play in the third term will go down in finals infamy. It came after a controversial umpiring decision which saw the officials choose to throw the ball in despite replays showing it to clearly be an out-on-the-full free kick to the Hawks. Murdoch plucked it from the contest and swung it onto his right side to give the Cats a 20-point lead.
James Podsiadly - 3
Podsiadly's best moment of the game won't be found on the statistics sheet. In the second term, with the ball about to go through for a spoiled behind, Podsiadly leapt and tapped it back into play over his shoulder. Like a trick from the Harlem Globetrotters, it landed at the feet of Nathan Vardy, who snapped the goal. Podsiadly finished with eight disposals.
Jared Rivers - 4
The former Melbourne defender started on Jack Gunston, but didn't have a touch at quarter-time. He seemed to struggle early on with the tempo of the game but soon caught up with it and took a couple of strong marks later on.
Joel Selwood - 8
Kept to two touches in the opening term, but made up for it and finished with 23 disposals. This year the Geelong skipper has added a new string to his bow by kicking goals, and again on Friday night he showed the ability to hit the scoreboard. In the third term he helped set up a goal with his dogged attack on the ball, and then he booted one himself. A leader born to play in September.
Mathew Stokes - 7
Stokes was crunched by Grant Birchall in the third quarter but it did not stop the relentless midfielder from attacking the ball like a man possessed. Had 21 disposals, 10 of which were contested, and had five clearances, showing his ability to win the ball but also spread from them.
Harry Taylor - 6
Taylor played mainly on Roughead and probably won the duel. He even drifted forward and kicked a goal with less than a minute to play in the third term, putting his side up by 14 points.
Travis Varcoe - 3
The speedy wingman was lined up for some of the night on Bradley Hill, who probably had Varcoe's measure. Varcoe is classy and skilful with the ball but had only nine touches for the night, with his final one likely to replayed in the minds of Geelong supporters for some time yet. With 35 seconds to play, Varcoe gathered the ball 30 metres out from goal directly in front. The Cats trailed by six points, but his shot missed to the right and the Hawks won by five points in a tense finish to a thrilling game.
Nathan Vardy - 3
One of Vardy's five possessions was a goal, and another set up a goal for Bartel. But, a little like his rucking partner Blicavs, Vardy could not generate much of a presence during the game.
Twitter: @AFL_CalTwomey
