Jimmy Bartel - 8
Was consistent after having a plethora of different opponents early on. Ended with just 18 touches but 12 were contested, and he had six inside 50s and four clearances. A brave attempt to mark late in the second term paid off when he kept his feet and crumbed on the 50m line, and neatly kicked the Cats' fifth unanswered for the quarter.
Paul Chapman - 7
Was excellent last week against Collingwood with three goals and 28 touches. Against the Hawks, was good in the first term but really got the Cats going in the second with three inside 50s and six touches. Dropped off in the fourth but ended with 18 touches, five clearances and five inside 50s.
Allen Christensen - 8.5
Played a terrific game. Spent time on Hodge in the first quarter after starting the game on the bench and made sure his presence was known across the game to end with 23 touches - 14 of which were contested and he also had seven clearances.
Mitch Duncan - 6
Had a big final quarter with seven touches and provided good pressure with five tackles. Played his role without making a huge impact.
Corey Enright - 6.5
Had Rioli and Sewell early before concentrating on the former in the second half. Didn't collect much of the ball himself - he ended with 12 possessions - but his main opponent, Rioli, only had 11.
Tom Hawkins - 8.5
Will have gained confidence from his strong performance. Had mainly Schoenmakers as an opponent in the first term, and didn't get on the scoreboard until the second when he kicked the opener one minute in. Responded to a year where he often attracted criticism with a 11 contested possessions, and showed true grit to kick his second goal from point-blank range - with Gibson hanging off him - late in the third that put the Cats 15 points up.
Josh Hunt - 6
Had Osborne early but ended up on Breust, who struggled to have an impact. Had a Harlem Globetrotters moment in the third when he collected the ball in his left hand and pushed it down onto his foot in one motion while running down the northern wing. Played a solid game and was good in contests, and had seven inside 50s.
Steve Johnson - 8
Could have been more effective in front of goal as he ended with 1.4. Launched an optimistic shot at goal in the red time in the first quarter that went out on the full but regained the wonder of the crowd in the third when he soccered through his only goal from 40m out on a tight angle. Had Murphy as an opponent for most of the night and ended with 27 touches and five inside 50s.
James Kelly - 9
Adapted to the conditions well and was one of the Cats' best. From 18 kicks, eight were ineffective but he reverted to classic wet weather play that involved punting the ball long, which was reflected in his eight inside 50s. Had seven tackles and won five clearances.
Cameron Ling - 8.5
Had a few opponents in the first half but tightened up on Mitchell in the second and third. Kept the former Hawk skipper to 19 touches, which was a far cry from the 38 he had last week against Gold Coast. Also tackled well and had four inside 50s.
Tom Lonergan - 5
Was taken cross country by opponent Franklin in the first quarter and was beaten for run, strength and pace, and failed to touch the ball until the second quarter. Fought back when Buddy didn't get a hand on it again until the third, and wrapped up the Hawk in the fourth and won a free. Did well to get back into the game after Buddy blew him away early.
Andrew Mackie - 4
Not a hugely influential night for the backman, which won't help his confidence that was dented by being dropped for the finals last year. Did well for the portion he was pitted against Hodge but didn't really make an impact on the game. Had 11 touches, four tackles and four rebounds.
Daniel Menzel - 4
The night ended horribly for the second-year player when he injured his anterior cruciate ligament in the second term. Was the first goal scorer last time the sides met, and this time, managed to be the opener for the Cats five minutes into the first quarter after starting on the bench. Kicked two for the term and was looking good until he suffered the injury just on red time in the second. Returned on crutches in the third to watch the rest of the game from bench.
Brad Ottens - 9
The Cats' best player after an enormous second quarter. Started the term in the ruck and dominated the first five minutes, which saw the Cats kick three goals and move seven points in front. Had nine hit-outs for the quarter, 21 for the game, and was one of the three integral big Cats in the third with the goal that put them out to 27 points shortly before three-quarter time.
James Podsiadly - 7.5
Booted six goals in the Cats' round 12 five-point win over the Hawks, but had to wait until six minutes into the second quarter to add to his tally. Tried to isolate third-quarter opponent Schoenmakers and did well to exploit the young Hawk. Ended with three goals - the most of any Cat - and had eight contested possessions.
Matthew Scarlett - 4
Quiet. In his 19th final - the most capped Cat in finals with Milburn and Mooney out - but had a brain fade in the first when he gave away a 50m penalty for throwing the ball to Rioli after Lonergan gave away a free to Franklin, with the resulting goal to Buddy putting the Hawks 13 points up. His usual run from defence was negated by Osborne, and he had just six touches for the game.
Joel Selwood - 8
Had 32 touches when the Cats beat the Hawks by 19 points in round five, and while he didn't better that with just 20, he was still important. Recovered well after Lewis cannoned into him in the middle of the ground shortly after the Menzel injury in the second quarter, and ended with seven tackles and seven inside 50s.
Mathew Stokes - 5
After missing last week's 96-point win over Collingwood with general soreness, Chris Scott elected to start the small forward as the substitute. He opted for the full tracksuit against the freezing night but shed the pants once word came through Menzel's night was over. Entered the game late in the second and didn't really do much to finish with eight touches, one goal and two scoring assists.
Harry Taylor - 7
Started on Hale down back, took Bailey when the ruckmen traded places and also had Whitecross at times. Had four rebounds and 12 touches, and played his role well against Hale.
Travis Varcoe - 7
Gave the Cats the most scoring opportunities from the team in the first with three inside 50s. Was moved from half back to half forward at quarter time and had a brief run against Hodge. Had a tremendous three-bounce run where he burned off Puopolo - who was his main opponent - in the third but fatigued and shanked the shot at goal from 30m out. Had five inside 50s.
Trent West - 7.5
Played one of his best games after he started in at the centre bounce against Bailey in game 18. Will be remember for the goal he kicked that put the Cats out to an unbeatable 26-point margin at the 13-minute mark of the final term after flying high alongside Podsiadly for a mark and plucking the ball from his teammate's hands at the height of the fly. Had 19 hit-outs.
David Wojcinski - 6
Came off the bench for a slow start where he only managed to touch the ball once in the first term. Had a few bursts of pace, ended with 11 possessions, and provided at both ends with three inside 50s and four rebounds.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
