Penpix of Geelong's AFL grand final team

8. Jake Kolodjashnij

Age: 27. Games: 154. Goals: 3. Finals: 18.

Was concussed in round 23, then suffered a knee injury in the qualifying final. But Kolodjashnij was brilliant in the preliminary final thumping of the Brisbane Lions to lock in his spot for the decider.

16. Sam De Koning

Age: 21. Games: 23. Goals: 0. Finals: 2.

Had just one game to his belt before the season, but De Koning has been a revelation, playing as a key defender on some of the AFL's giants. Will likely get the job on Swans superstar Lance Franklin.

24. Jed Bews

Age: 28. Games: 150. Goals: 16. Finals: 17.

One of many experienced Cats playing the best football of his career. An underrated gem who is rated highly by his peers.

HALF-BACK LINE

22. Mitch Duncan

Age: 31. Games: 257. Goals: 175. Finals: 25.

Made a superb cameo in Geelong's 2011 grand final win after coming on as the sub. Understated and reliable, Duncan rarely has a poor game.

44. Tom Stewart

Age: 29. Games: 125. Goals: 3. Finals: 13.

Four All-Australian selections from just six seasons in the AFL, Stewart is a genuine star. He was badly missed during last year's finals series after suffering a serious foot injury.

38. Jack Henry

Age: 24. Games: 106. Goals: 20. Finals: 13.

A versatile key position, who plays above his height, is a valuable commodity for any team. Henry plays mostly down back but can swing forward with great success.

CENTRE LINE

46. Mark Blicavs

Age: 31. Games: 226. Goals: 51. Finals: 23

As versatile as they come. Blicavs can play in just about any position on the ground with great effect. Made his AFL debut in 2013, two years after Geelong's last premiership.

14. Joel Selwood

Age: 34. Games: 354. Goals: 174. Finals: 39.

The courageous captain will break Michael Tuck's VFL/AFL record for finals played when he make his 40th post-season appearance. Selwood is already a legend, but a fourth premiership, and first as skipper, would further cement his remarkable legacy.

2. Zach Tuohy

Age: 32. Games: 249. Goals: 87. Finals: 18.

Been a star since crossing to Geelong ahead of the 2017 season. A booming kick and an experienced leader down back.

HALF-FORWARD LINE

45. Brad Close

Age: 24. Games: 54. Goals: 41. Finals: 5.

One of the Cats' most improved players. Speedy and dangerous around goals, Close's increased pressure has taken his game to a new level.

5. Jeremy Cameron

Age: 29. Games: 209. Goals: 529. Finals: 14.

A champion forward for a decade, Cameron has lived up to the high expectations of him when he left GWS for Geelong at the end of 2020. Will be his second grand final after playing in the Giants' losing effort in 2019.

7. Isaac Smith

Age: 33. Games: 257. Goals: 192. Finals: 25.

The veteran wingman will play in his fifth grand final after four at Hawthorn. He will provide a cool head for the younger Cats players experiencing a decider for the first time.

FORWARD LINE

18. Tyson Stengle

Age: 23. Games: 40. Goals: 64. Finals: 2.

Arguably the AFL story of the year, Stengle went from a sacked bad boy to All-Australian in his first season at Geelong. Stepped up with a stunning three-goal performance in the preliminary final.

26. Tom Hawkins

Age: 34. Games: 326. Goals: 729. Finals: 31.

His first grand final at the MCG since the 2011 decider, the day Hawkins' career took off and he never looked back. In as dominant form as ever, despite nearing the end of his decorated career, having kick 64 goals this season.

23. Gary Rohan

Age: 31. Games: 176. Goals: 189. Finals: 25.

Will face off his against his former club, in what will be his fourth grand final. Rohan's previous three appearances in deciders have been disasters, personally and for his team, and will be hoping he can perform like he did in the qualifying final win to silence his doubters.

FOLLOWERS

1. Rhys Stanley

Age: 31. Games: 182. Goals: 105. Finals: 15.

Constantly under pressure to hold his spot after Geelong recruited Jon Ceglar, Stanley will take the first bounce in the grand final. Had a shocker in the qualifying final, but responded in style last Friday night.

35. Patrick Dangerfield

Age: 32. Games: 302. Goals: 316. Finals: 25.

The superstar veteran is desperate to add a premiership to his glittering CV. Stepped up with a best-on-ground performance in the preliminary final and is the bookies favourite to add a Norm Smith Medal to his Brownlow Medal win in 2016.

29. Cameron Guthrie

Age: 30. Games: 229. Goals: 74. Finals: 20

Become a key member of the Cats' midfield. A ball-magnet who runs all day, Guthrie remains underrated outside of Geelong.

INTERCHANGE

30. Tom Atkins

Age: 26. Games: 81. Goals: 13. Finals: 9.

A more-than-handy midfielder who could get the job of running with one of Sydney's matchwinners.

32. Gryan Miers

Age: 23. Games: 82. Goals: 72. Finals: 12.

His pressure game has gone up a level and Miers has a knack for kicking goals at crucial times.

39. Zach Guthrie.

Age: 24. Games: 53. Goals: 7. Finals: 6.

Another Geelong player to have improved significantly this year. A hardrunning defender and the younger brother of Cameron.

9. Max Holmes

Age: 20. Games: 30. Goals: 14. Finals: 4.

The speedy wingman, son of Olympic track star Lee Naylor, will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness after suffering a hamstring scare in the preliminary final.

EMERGENCIES

42. Mark O'Connor

Age: 25. Games: 86. Goals: 4. Finals: 11.

The Irishman was the sub in Geelong's first two finals and could be the Cats' 23rd again.

3. Brandan Parfitt

Age: 24. Games: 111. Goals: 45. Finals: 13.

The midfielder has been unlucky to find himself on the outer after playing a key role in the Cats' finals runs between 2019 and 2021.

27. Sam Menegola

Age: 30. Games: 116. Goals: 81. Finals: 16.

The veteran wingman is a major contender to come into the 22 if Max Holmes is not fit to play.

15. Jonathon Ceglar

Age: 31: Games: 104. Goals: 43. Finals: 3

The former Hawthorn ruckman is long odds to feature and has played just three games this season.