Jimmy Bartel - 6
Played a swingman role during the first half, roaming from deep in defence to deep in attack. With the Cats starting down the barrel, he started the third quarter at full-forward and kicked a brilliant running goal that brought his team within three points. Kept putting his head over the ball when the game was on the line at the finish, using his immense finals experience to help get Geelong the win.

Mark Blicavs - 5
Shared the rucking duties with Nathan Vardy in a two-on-one battle against Port giant Matthew Lobbe. Found himself at full-back on Jay Schulz for a while during the second quarter and pushed forward at other stages. Gathered eight touches and won 11 hit-outs.

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Paul Chapman - 8
Showed there's plenty of life in the old dog yet, and was the probably the difference between the two teams at the end. Started on the ground after being the Cats' sub last weekend and rewarded his coach's faith by kicking the first two goals of the game while opposed to Power youngster Jasper Pittard. Ended the opening term with nine possessions to his name at 89 per cent efficiency. Managed only one touch in the second quarter, but came to life again early in the third, dodging and weaving and snapping a great goal that helped drag Geelong back into the contest. Laid a massive tackle on Kane Cornes nine minutes into the last quarter, which handed him a set shot from 20m out. Kicked his fourth, put Geelong 15 points up, then received a great ovation when he came to the bench late in the game. But a black cloud hangs over his performance as he looks in big trouble with the Match Review Panel after landing a high bump on Robbie Gray during the third quarter.

Allen Christensen - 6
Seemed to have a fit of the fumbles in the first half when he often got himself into good positions but kept giving the ball up. Like many of his teammates, he fired up in the third quarter. Continued on his merry way in the final term, gathering seven disposals and kicking the sealing goal.

Joel Corey - 7
Another veteran who continues to defy his doubters. Helped turn the game in Geelong's favour by winning a number of crucial centre clearances in the third quarter. Kicked the first goal of the last term after very dodgy holding free kick was paid against Port backman Alipate Carlile in the goalsquare.

Mitch Duncan - 6
Disposal was all over the place during the first half, and he committed a couple of costly turnovers that allowed Port to score. Nevertheless, he did produce a moment of brilliance when he slotted a goal from 50m out in the right pocket midway through the second quarter. Lifted his game immensely in the second half, during which he kept charging up and down the ground. Finished with 19 touches and a disposal efficiency of 74 per cent.

Cameron Guthrie - 6
Spent the night in the backline and had to cover a number of Port's most dangerous players. Started on Angus Monfries, then spent time minding Ollie Wines during second quarter. Appeared to match-up on Chad Wingard a lot in the second half. As is often the case, none of his opponents got away from him for long.

Tom Hawkins - 5
Seemed to move without discomfort all night, but struggled to have any impact on the game during the early stages. Looked far from happy when he came to the bench late in the second quarter. Then sparked Geelong's second half burst by clunking a mark and kicking a goal at start of the third quarter. The Cats supporters who had been bemoaning his form were suddenly back on his bandwagon as it sailed through. They were out of their seats again when he snapped another goal midway through the third term after winning a free kick. Finished with just eight disposals and only three marks, but he will have taken plenty of confidence out of this showing.

Josh Hunt - 5
Spent various stages of the game minding Robbie Gray, Angus Monfries and Chad Wingard. Struggled to contain Port's onslaught in the first half, but found his form in the second half when he defended well and also helped the Cats launch a number of attacks.

Taylor Hunt - 2

Started as Geelong's sub and didn't enter the fray until he replaced Jared Rivers during the last quarter. Finished with five possessions, all of which hit their target.

Steve Johnson - 7
Was tagged by Domenic Cassisi for the entire game. Won 11 possessions in the first half, but they went here, there and everywhere. Started the third term at half-forward and immediately upped the ante. Was a key player in Geelong's revival. Ended the night with 25 touches and nine marks.

James Kelly - 8
Was one of few Cats to fire in the first half, during which he roamed through the midfield and gathered 16 touches. Started the third quarter in the forward line and kept barrelling into contests, clearing a path for dashers like Allen Christensen and Steven Motlop to do their thing. Finished with 28 disposals, seven tackles and three score-assists in what was an outstanding four-quarter effort.

Tom Lonergan - 6

Spent most of the match on Jay Schulz and limited the Port sharp-shooter to nine possessions, two marks and two goals.

Andrew Mackie - 6

Played his usual attacking half-back role. Was a bit ragged in the early stages, but was back to his best after the long break. Cut off a number of Port's forward thrusts and also pushed forward when his team had the ball.

Steven Motlop - 7
Did a few whacky things, like trying a banana kick from 45m out right in front during the second quarter. Made his mark when the game was up for grabs in the second half, using his pace to carve through the midfield on numerous occasions. Gave Geelong the lead at the last change with a clever left foot snap and slotted a brilliant 55m bomb just prior to the final siren.

James Podsiadly - 3
Took one strong grab during the first quarter, only to have it taken off him after the umpire ruled he had infringed his Port opponent, Jackson Trengove. Failed to have any impact on the contest after that. Finished with only three marks, five possessions and a disposal efficiency of 40 per cent.

Jared Rivers - 5
Enjoyed an entertaining tussle with Port forward Justin Westhoff, although his opponent probably had the better of him in the end. Suffered an ankle injury during the last quarter and was promptly subbed out.

Joel Selwood - 8
A typically courageous performance from the Cats' skipper, who copped numerous knocks during the game and had to be patched up on the sidelines on a number of occasions. With his team facing elimination from the premiership race, he produced an enormous third quarter, gathering 10 possessions and winning two clearances. Topped off his night with a dribbling goal late in the last quarter.

Mathew Stokes - 7
Had just eight touches in the first half, but hit back with 20 in the second half. Was still running on top of the ground at the finish. Has been one of the Cats' most consistent performers in 2013 and he'll probably tally a few more best and fairest votes from this effort.

Harry Taylor - 5
Was all over the ground in the first half. Returned to the backline in the second half and spent a lot of time minding Port small forward Robbie Gray. Didn't have a great game, but played a solid role in restricting the Power to just five goals after the long break.

Travis Varcoe - 5
Another Geelong players who played in a number of positions. Spent time on the wing and at half-forward, but also lined up in the backline on occasions. Had only six possessions in the first half, but came alive as the Cats roared back into the contest after half-time and finished with 20. Had the chance to put Geelong in front early in the last quarter after brilliant pass from Kelly, only to nervously miss. Thankfully for him, it didn't matter.

Nathan Vardy - 6
Battled strongly against Port big man Matthew Lobbe, winning 17 hit-outs to Lobbe's 28. Spent some time in the backline minding Westhoff in the last quarter, then returned to the ruck and took a couple of impressive contested marks.