Vote in the Geelong Cats Addy MVP

It wasn’t the best night to start Geelong’s flag defence but there were some bright spots. Now is your chance to pick your best as we kick off our new Addy MVP.

Zach Tuohy and Isaac Smith played well on Friday. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

This year, the Geelong Addy is handing the power over to you.

Each week, instead of just our experts putting in their votes on who the best Cat is each week, we will let our readers vote.

As the season progresses we will keep a running tally of the leaders in our experts and fans MVP as we track another Geelong campaign.

While round 1 wasn’t the perfect start for the Cats’ flag defence, there w ere some bright points, with Esava Ratugolea slotting in well down back, Tyson Stengle showing no sign of second-year blues in the hoops and defenders Mark O’Connor and Zach Guthrie standing up strongly.

Put your pick in for who was your best on ground in our poll and the top choices will earn votes towards the season tally.

Our expert this week, chief footy writer Josh Barnes, saw things this way.

5 votes – Tyson Stengle

Having booted 16 goals on the night, most of Geelong’s forwardline had their moments but it was Stengle who was the star.

His ability to win contests and propel the ball forward was exceptional, even as he ended the night beat up after a few collisions.

Tyson Stengle was impressive. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

4 – Isaac Smith

Geelong’s ability to move the ball quickly from end-to-end was built on the back of Smith’s trademark run.

Just like his team, Smith appeared on track for a big night when he snapped a goal after Jeremy Howe’s injury stopped the game in the third quarter, from there Smith and Geelong began to fade.

3 – Zach Guthrie

Stood tall across half-back all night and was particularly solid under the high ball.

Guthrie has some of the best hands in the Geelong side and hardly lost a contest all night.

He could be a vital cog over the next month if Tom Stewart is unavailable with his knee injury.

Zach Guthrie was solid. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

2 – Mark O’Connor

There were questions about O’Connor’s place in the Geelong side after a so-so 2022, which was partially delayed by an injury late in pre-season.

This year the defender is fit and was strong in defence against Collingwood’s extreme heat.

While Zach Tuohy took the early headlines with two early goals, O’Connor was the better Irishman on St Paddy’s Day.

1 – Gryan Miers

Much like Stengle, Miers had the Cats attack humming through his smarts.

He handed off two goals in a row in the second term – to Max Holmes and Stengle – and his link play was excellent for most of the night.

Miers is showing all the signs of building to a career-year.

Originally published as Vote in the Geelong Cats Addy MVP