1. The Boris and Bartel show
With just five seconds remaining in this tight contest, Jimmy Bartel brought the crowd to his feet with a left-foot goal on the run that topped off a memorable night for the 300-game milestone man. It was a fitting end to a week of tributes to Bartel who has been a fan favourite at Geelong for more than a decade. He celebrated the milestone alongside long-time teammate Corey Enright, who broke Ian Nankervis' long-standing games record when he played his 326th game in the blue and white hoops. Enright had the Cats' first kick for the game, displaying clean hands as he repelled numerous attacks while Bartel did as he pleased, after starting forward and then drifting around the wing. Enright racked up 27 disposals, eclipsing his career average of 21 per game. Bartel began his night with a superb contested mark in front of adoring fans in the Reg Hickey stand and was solid all night with 25 touches unleashing a barrel late in the game before his wildly celebrated goal.
2. Stanley razor sharp inside 50
Rhys Stanley kicked five goals for the first time in his career to gain the inside running on the second tall forward spot up for grabs. The ruck/forward took three marks inside 50 and kicked a goal at top pace when he found himself in a foot race inside 50 during the second quarter. After battling for form earlier in the season, he looks to have gained confidence after being left to manage ruck duties on his own against Adelaide last week. The quickest player on the Cats' list could be an X-factor in September.
3. Brave Bulldog fight earns admirers
Fielding its least experienced team in terms of games played this season (65 per player) and decimated by injuries to key players, the Western Bulldogs started as clear outsiders. However their pressure was superb and they set up well in defence to keep the ball in their own half for large parts of the game. The Dogs challenged the Cats at the contest and gave their supporters plenty to cheer about in the first half. However the game-ending injury to Tom Liberatore in the second quarter and six behinds without a goal in the third quarter snuffed out the brave challenge. The Bulldogs are worthy top four contenders but the injuries might make the flag unattainable this season.
4. Liberatore injury a bridge too far for Dogs
Just when you thought things could not get worse for the Western Bulldogs, brilliant on-baller Tom Liberatore had his leg caught underneath a Steven Motlop tackle. Immediately surrounded by trainers who feared the worst, he then hopped on one leg to the boundary, cursing the gods as he went. Five minutes later, the left ankle was in ice and Libba's night was over. It was shocking luck with the injury occurring just 14 minutes into the second quarter. At that stage he was getting busy having already tallied 16 disposals (he was still equal with Patrick Dangerfield for most disposals at half-time). Geelong kicked three unanswered goals in the 10 minutes that followed. The Dogs' injury problems followed with Jackson Macrae hurting his hamstring late in the third quarter.
5. Boyd shows himself a committed pup
Scrutinised, doubted and questioned, Tom Boyd responded in the only way possible with a superb first half. Not only did he kick two goals to keep the Bulldogs in touch, but he fought hard in the ruck, presented inside 50 and joined the dogfight. Boyd was by no means best on the ground but he asserted his presence on the game early and his impact only dimmed when Geelong's numbers began to overwhelm his team. He kicked his third goal late in the game finishing with 18 touches, nine contested possessions and half a dozen hit-outs.
