Addy MVP: Geelong Cats big win over North Melbourne

Gryan Miers has again taken out the fans vote for the Addy MVP after a dominant round 17 performance against North Melbourne.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Zach Tuohy of the Cats in action during the 2023 AFL Round 17 match between the Geelong Cats and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at GMHBA Stadium on July 9, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Gryan Miers has again taken out the fans vote for the Addy MVP after a dominant round 17 performance against North Melbourne.

The small forward, who inked a three-year contract extension earlier in the week and is set to play his 100th game on Saturday against Essendon, surpassed the 30-disposal mark for the first time this season at the weekend when he recorded 32 touches against the Kangaroos.

Miers earned 55 per cent of the fans votes in the round 17 clash, meaning he recorded his second straight win after also polling maximum votes for his 27-disposal effort in the draw against Sydney.

Tyson Stengle finished second in the votes, collecting 14 per cent from the fans after booting five majors against a hapless North Melbourne defence, while midfield bull Tom Atkins finished third with 11 per cent.

Atkins finished the game with 25 touches and 14 tackles, as well as seven clearances in a contest where Geelong’s midfield dominated in the centre square.

Veteran Mitch Duncan’s impact on the game was strong, with 11 of his 30 disposals coming in the opening quarter as Geelong jumped out to a massive lead at the first break.

Duncan also booted a goal, took eight marks and recorded five clearances in the win, and returned eight per cent of the fans votes.

Vice captain Tom Stewart rounded out the fans votes with six per cent, after recording 26 disposals, nine marks and four tackles in the defensive half.

Addy MVP - Fans Votes: 5 - Miers, 4 - Stengle, 3 - Atkins, 2 - Duncan, 1 - Stewart

Addy MVP - Expert Votes: 5 - Duncan, 4 - Miers, 3 - Stengle, 2 - Atkins, 1 - Stewart

ADDY MVP: Who shone in Cats big win over Roos

There were a number of outstanding performances in the Geelong side that demolished North Melbourne on Sunday, with small forward Gryan Miers adding to a career-best season.

Miers, who is in line to earn his first All Australian blazer, collected a career-high 32 disposals and a career-high 11 marks, as well as 483 metres gained and two more goal assists.

Gryan Miers had a career-best day. Picture: Darrian Traynor

The small forward leads the competition in setting up his teammates this season, including an unselfish handball to set up a goalsquare Tyson Stengle major in the 62-point win over North Melbourne.

Stengle ended the game with five majors from 15 disposals, as well as setting up one goal and taking four marks.

Forward Ollie Henry also got in on the action, booting four goals from 14 touches, while Tom Hawkins and Brad Close each kicked three goals each.

Tyson Stengle booted five goals. Picture: Dylan Burns

Defender Mitch Duncan was also electric, especially in the first quarter against the Kangaroos, collecting 30 touches and taking eight marks in the win.

Duncan was prolific early in the contest, collecting 11 of his touches in the first quarter as the Cats jumped out to a massive lead on the back of their best first-quarter performance since 2012.

Midfielder Tom Atkins dominated in the contest as well, collecting 25 touches, 14 tackles and seven clearances from just 66 per cent game time.

Mark Blicavs was on track for an outstanding performance as well, with 18 touches, six marks, 10 tackles and five clearances before he was subbed out of the contest in the third quarter.

Vice captain Tom Stewart was also influential down back, with 26 disposals, nine marks, four tackles and 471 metres gained in the contest.

Originally published as Addy MVP: Geelong Cats big win over North Melbourne