Throughout the 2026 AFL Finals series, Zero Hanger will rank the game of each player based on their impact on the result.
After a hard-fought first half, Geelong's September experience and top-end players rose to the top, headed by captain Patrick Dangerfield.
Carlton were valiant but didn't have the answers thrown at the Blues by Chris Scott and the Cats.
Here's how Zero Hanger rated every player's performance...
1 - Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) - The Cats captain stood up when it mattered most. A historic performance in September once again.
2 - Shaun Mannagh (Geelong) - The Cats utility got the ball rolling when the whips started cracking.
3 - Oliver Wiltshire (Geelong) - The assist king for Geelong, setting up teammates and could've had a few snags himself.
4 - Gryan Miers (Geelong) - Another small Cat that proved to be a terror for Carlton, hitting the scoreboard and utilising his unique foot skills to set up teammates.
5 - Bailey Smith (Geelong) - The midfielder worked into the game and his overlap running and transition proved vital for the Cats.
6 - George Hewett (Carlton) - The Blues workhorse led from the front, finding plenty of possessions but also doing the defensive work.
7 - Connor O'Sullivan (Geelong) - Stopped Carlton's key forward in Harry McKay, limiting him to one goal and three marks.
8 - Tom Stewart (Geelong) - Set up the Cats brilliantly, especially in the second half, and led the game in intercepts.
9 - Sam Walsh (Carlton) - Had Oisin Mullin for company early but was consistent throughout the evening.
10 - Oisin Mullin (Geelong) - From a stats perspective, he didn't do a lot, but he curbed the influence of both Sam Walsh and Jagga Smith, especially the latter in the second half, which turned the game.
11 - Adam Cerra (Carlton) - Led the game in metres gained and drove a lot of the Blues' transition from one end to the other.
12 - Oliver Dempsey (Geelong) - The All-Australian winger was crucial in moments, challenging the Blues' midfield and defence.
13 - Mark Blicavs (Geelong) - The Cats utility was strong in defence, but gave Geelong's midfield a boost when pinch-hitting.
14 - Patrick Cripps (Carlton) - The Blues skipper was a contested beast, but needed more help.
15 - Francis Evans (Carlton) - A special front-half player for Carlton, slotting two goals and setting up more.
16 - Mitch Edwards (Geelong) - The Cats ruckman had the win over Marc Pittonet.
17 - Tom Atkins (Geelong) - The selfless Cat put it to himself to get defensive when the ball needed to be won, rarely losing a contest.
18 - Oliver Florent (Carlton) - Continued to take the game on, plus some of his defensive efforts were impressive.
19 - Cooper Lord (Carlton) - Slotted a pair of goals and got involved in the Carlton chains.
20 - Jagga Smith (Carlton) - The young Blue had less of an impact when Mullin went to him, hinting his stardom in his first full season in the AFL.
21 - Ben Ainsworth (Carlton) - Was transitioning well when Carlton was challenging Geelong's defence, but couldn't finish his work in front of goal.
22 - Zach Guthrie (Geelong) - Put a stop to Carlton's small forwards getting involved, and provided bounce out of defence.
23 - Lachlan Cowan (Carlton) - Has quickly become a strong player for the Blues, doing it on both sides of the ball.
24 - Jack Henry (Geelong) - Like Stewart, just set up the Geelong defence brilliantly.
25 - Billy Wilson (Carlton) - Had some eyebrow-raising moments. Good and bad.
26 - Jacob Weitering (Carlton) - The Blues key defender had some strong moments.
27 - Brad Close (Geelong) - Beginning to improve his form, getting involved in scoring chains and providing defensive pressure.
28 - Max Holmes (Geelong) - Returning from injury so there was little expectation but will be better off for the run.
29 - Ollie Hollands (Carlton) - Found enough ball and pushed forward, but lacked efficiency with ball in hand.
30 - Marc Pittonet (Carlton) - The Carlton ruck battled willfully but struggled against the Cats jumpers.
31 - Jay Polkinghorne (Geelong) - The young Cat presented and competed well, and could've had a few goals to his name.
32 - Tanner Bruhn (Geelong) - The rebounding Cat didn't find his usual space or possessions.
33 - Harry McKay (Carlton) - Not a night for key forwards, but he provided a contest more often than not.
34 - Lawson Humphries (Geelong) - Did his part in stopping the small Blues forwards.
35 - Black Acres (Carlton) - Largely tasked with curbing Dempsey but couldn't contain the star Cat.
36 - Mark O'Connor (Geelong) - Played his role in defence and closer to the stoppage.
37 - Shannon Neale (Geelong) - Kicked two pivotal goals but no real influence outside that.
38 - Matt Cottrell (Carlton) - The Carlton winger was around the ball a lot but for not a lot of impact.
39 - Oliver Henry (Geelong) - Wasn't busy on the night, but converted a crucial goal when the Cats needed it.
40 - Brodie Kemp (Carlton) - Had a few chances early in the game but only capitalised on one opportunity.
41 - Wade Derksen (Carlton) - The Carlton key defender did well initially, but started to lose his nerve when the heat came from Geelong in the second half.
42 - Jeremy Cameron (Geelong) - Looks a bit propy and below his best. Cameron played across all lines on the ground. Will get another shot next week.
43 - Harry Dean (Carlton) - Didn't have his usual influence, especially after copping a boot to the head from a teammate.
44 - Talor Byrne (Carlton) - The Blues youngster should've thrived in the wet weather, but battled to find the ball or pressure the Geelong defence.
45 - Mitch McGovern (Carlton) - A defensive forward who couldn't stop the Cats' interceptors.
46 - Lewis Young (Carlton) - The Blues utility struggled in the wet, having little impact in a range of roles. His disposal was disappointing, including a missed kick in the third quarter.
