GEELONG 3.4 6.8 9.10 14.15 (99)
PORT ADELAIDE 2.3 2.7 6.9 8.13 (61)
In tough, wet conditions, Geelong has once again just done enough to claim the four points and keep their top four aspirations alive.
The Cats’ victories have all seen this trend, with Geelong bringing out their best football only after the Power challenged them with some strong play.
Lead by skipper Joel Selwood (27 disposals and two goals), James Kelly (25) and Jimmy Bartel (21) Geelong simply had too much class for the Power to negate. The first quarter was particularly scrappy, with sides battling rain and wind before the Cats opened the game up in the second term.
They kicked three unanswered goals in the quarter, taking the margin to 25 points and it appeared as though they would continue to cruise home in the second half.
However, the Power responded, lifting their workrate and outscored the Cats in the third term, breathing some life into the contest for the unusually small crowd of 13,736.
Coach Chris Scott threw his trump card into play – moving All Australian defender Harry Taylor into the forward line. Taylor had started the game forward, even kicking the opening goal, yet had played the majority of the match down back. The move produced instant results, with Taylor kicking two of the opening three goals for the quarter, securing what was, in the end, a regulation win for the seasoned Cats.
Votes
3 Selwood
2 Kelly
1 Taylor
GOALS
Geelong: Taylor 3, Selwood 2, Hawkins 2, Duncan, Smedts, Enright, Horlin-Smith, Johnson, Motlop, Lonergan
Port Adelaide: Westhoff 2, Lobbe 2, Cornes, Wingard, Brett Ebert
BEST
Geelong: Selwood, Kelly, Bartel, Christensen, Duncan, Corey, Smedts, Taylor
Port Adelaide: Broadbent, Pearce, Cornes, Logan, Rodan, McCarthy, Lobbe
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Port Adelaide: Jacob Surjan (hip) replaced in the selected side by Cameron O’Shea
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Mathew Stokes replaced Taylor Hunt at three-quarter time
Port Adelaide: Aaron Young replaced Brett Ebert in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Stewart, Grun
Official crowd: 13,736 at Simonds Stadium
