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Sport Nation
Grading every player as the Cats take down the theatrical Lions
Jaiden Sciberras • September 6th, 2025 12:29 am
The Cats have booked a spot in a Prelim, taking down the Lions by 38 points at the MCG.
Geelong were fierce in the contest early, dominating the midfield battle to take a strong lead in the first term. 10 scores from 17 entries in the first exchange, the Cats were far more in command than the 12-point QT margin suggested, with Jeremy Cameron booting two from a remarkable six shots on goal before the opening break.
Their dominance hardly paid off, with the Lions capitalising on their opportunities to claw back control as the Cats went goalless for much of the second term. Unpredictably, it was Sam De Koning who broke the deadlock, as a pair of Shaun Mannagh bullets and a high pressing brand secured four straight goals to return control in Geelong's favour.
That was, before two ridiculous umpiring decisions awarded Cam Rayner back-to-back goals to cut the margin to just 15 at the main break.
A cagey third term saw the sides wrestle for control but it was Geelong once again powering forward, piling on the lost scores to the delight of the raging home crowd.
The Cats charged home, all but sealing the result far before the final siren in front of 86,364.
We graded every player in the dramatic affair at the 'G.
See our grades below:
Geelong
Max Holmes: A+
An inspired shift to half back unleashed Holmes' run in the second half. A huge goal and plenty of attack, producing the second highest rated quarter by a Cat in a final EVER. A top performance from a top player.
Oliver Dempsey: A+
Very few can run the wing like this guy. From square to square, Brisbane had no answer whatsoever. Gut runner, brilliant decision maker and an elite finisher, this was one of Dempsey's finest nights.
Tom Stewart: A
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Pushed forward to kick a huge goal, played goalkeeper exceptionally well.
Mark Blicavs: A
Few can do what this man does. Always involved, kicked a crucial goal to open the second half. Eight score involvements, outworked his opposition ruckman and lead his side in the clearance count.
Oisin Mullin: A-
Put the blanket on McCluggage and kicked his first career goal - some night for the Irishman!
Mark O’Connor: A-
Tagged Rayner to great effect, gave away a terribly soft free kick and became the hero - not the night O'Connor would have expected!
Tom Atkins: A-
The secret sauce to a humming engine room. Ever present in tight, the tackling machine caused headaches all night.
Jack Bowes: B+
Top drawer decision making and execution.
Bailey Smith: B+
Forced to play in tighter than his typical free run but stepped in so well.
Connor O’Sullivan: B+
Elite versatility across the defensive half. Worked with Jack Henry to keep Logan Morris completely uninvolved.
Jack Henry: B+
Can defend any position in the back 50 and proved so tonight. So crucial behind the ball.
Shaun Mannagh: B+
Proving an incredibe pickup, particularly at such a young age...
Jeremy Cameron: B
Set the game alight early. Took on Ryan Lester and gave him a bath in the first term but just couldn't capitalise on the scoreboard. Faced a new challenge beyond and couldn't quite restore his dominance. Just six disposals and zero scores in the final three terms.
Zach Guthrie: B
Patrick Dangerfield: B
Straight into the guts and straight involved. A battering ram as always.
Brad Close: B
Kept the front half ticking all night.
Sam De Koning: C+
Clocked in as a rotational ruckman and did his job.
Jack Martin: C
Shannon Neale: C
Had the Harris Andrews matchup and couldn't find a way to involve himself. A better final term, refused to drop his head.
Lawson Humphries: C
Tyson Stengle: C
Not enough touch to be as dangerous as he can be.
SUB: Jhye Clark: N/A
Subbed in at the latest possible stage.
Brisbane
Lachie Neale: A
If anybody was going to step up, it was this man. 14 disposals in the second term to wrestle back the contest. An injury will seriously hurt the Lions next week.
Harris Andrews: A
Came alive in the second term to full effect. Kept Shannon Neale quiet while coming off his man to spoil on numerous occasions.
Dayne Zorko: A
The Lions needed his experience as the Cats had early control. Intercepted and used the ball well.
Josh Dunkley: A-
An absolute warrior in tight. Refused to give in and awarded with a goal late.
Jaspa Fletcher: A-
Ascending into superstardom. Influence slowed significantly late on, but brilliant in the early moments.
Will Ashcroft: B+
A lot of touch going forward - so damaging entering forward 50. However, misused the ball a little too often.
Zac Bailey: B+
Contributed well. Capitalised with a second half major.
Darcy Gardiner: B
Thrown onto Cameron after quarter time and did incredibly well to slow the champion.
Darcy Fort: B
Repaid the faith in Chris Fagan, holding his spot over the Big O for good reason.
Brandon Starcevich: C+
Cam Rayner: C+
Kicked two... questionable goals. Was thrown forward to force the tag into a one on one battle and certainly did his best to silence the vocal crowd. Going to be a huge week on media street.
Jarrod Berry: C+
Kicked a nice goal, not much involvement outside of that.
Darcy Wilmot: C+
Geelong suffocated his ability to transition the ball from the flank as he so often does.
Kai Lohmann: C+
A few goals but not his best performance.
Levi Ashcroft: C+
A difficult introduction to finals footy.
Callum Ah Chee: C
Ty Gallop: C-
A few good moments.
Logan Morris: C-
Hardly involved.
Sam Day: D+
Ryan Lester: D+
Absolutely punished by Jeremy Cameron and was forced into a matchup change after just one term. Did okay thereafter.
Hugh McCluggage: D+
Copped the Oisin Mullin tag and couldn't shake it whatsoever.
Charlie Cameron: D
Immediately involved with the first of the game, hardly sighted since.
SUB: Sam Marshall: N/A
Subbed into the game in the final term.
