Just came across a preview of the Port game on the GFC website, and it's hard not to note Port defender Peter Wilson's comments at the end. Here's the whole thing:
MATCH DETAILS
Geelong v Port Adelaide
Skilled Stadium, 1.10pm, Sunday
FORECAST
The bureau is predicting a cool day but there should be clear, blue skies with a top temperature around 15 degrees.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 1, 2007 at AAMI Stadium – Geelong 15.15 (105) def Port Adelaide 14.12 (96)
The Cats, after a slightly sluggish start, soon rediscovered their form of 2007 and kicked clear of Port Adelaide, with James Kelly and Joel Corey finding plenty of the footy.
Geelong led comfortably throughout the second and third quarters, with Tom Hawkins and Cameron Mooney providing strong targets in attack while Paul Chapman and Mathew Stokes were always dangerous at ground level.
Port Adelaide got back to within three goals at the last change before a piece of Gary Ablett brilliance – a magnificent running goal – was enough to see the Cats home, despite the home side pushing hard in the final minutes.
FORM GUIDE
It was a more even four-quarter effort from the Cats last week as they continue to do what they have to in order to get the four points. Despite Geelong’s defence looking a little fragile at times, the Cats always seemed to have the match in control. Geelong has been relying more on individual efforts at times in 2008 but that has been enough to achieve a 10-1 record. They return to their beloved Skilled Stadium this weekend where they lost only twice last season – one of which however came at the hands of Port Adelaide.
The Power’s finals hopes might have flickered out last week after fading dismally against Carlton. Outspoken coach Mark Williams has let the footy world know what he thinks of the Blues’ improvement – perhaps a sign that Port Adelaide’s man in charge is feeling the heat. It’s been a frustrating season for Choco and his men, with all at Alberton knowing they have more ability than their ladder position reflects.
RANDOM FACTS
- Geelong has a good recent record against the Port Adelaide, having won six of its past seven matches against the Power
- James Kelly set the tone for his impressive 2008 season with a blistering opening round when he collected 31 touches and 11 marks in the Cats’ nine-point win over the Power.
- Port Adelaide’s clearance king Shaun Burgoyne returns to the side this week. When the Power beat the Cats at Skilled Stadium last year he touched it 22 times, laid eight tackles and booted three crucial goals.
KEY MATCH UPS
Harry Taylor v Justin Westhoff
Harry Taylor seems certain to come into the Geelong side this week after a week out of senior footy against North Melbourne last week. Justin Westhoff, at 199cm, is a difficult match-up for most defences. He hasn’t been in great touch this season but looked to be finding some form against Carlton early last week. Taylor is likely to get first crack.
Gary Ablett v Kane Cornes/Dom Cassisi
Dom Cassisi has been Choco Williams’ go-to man for Ablett the last few occasions but, given the Geelong master’s recent form, the coach might have to think about ramping up security. Williams has flagged the prospect of Kane Cornes getting the job, which opens the door for one of the more tantalising duels of the season.
Cameron Mooney v Alipate Carlile
Carlile has been terrific for Port Adelaide this season and kept Blues spearhead Brendan Fevola pretty quiet last week. He’s likely to get Geelong’s main strike weapon this week, whose confidence will be up after a career-high seven goals last week. Mooney treads a fine line with his aggression, so finding that right balance might be half the battle for him. Carlile might be wise – and brave – to test that balance.
WHAT THE CLUBS SAY
Geelong coach Mark Thompson
(on facing the Power for the seventh time in 18 months)
“That's a challenge in itself because you can't keep fronting up with the same tactics, the same game plans, the same presentations to the players.
"We have to vary it up and throw lots of things at them (players) so that's a challenge."
Port Adelaide defender Michael Wilson
(on trying to stop Gary Ablett)
“I don’t think Choco will do that (tell us not to tackle Ablett).
"But he [Ablett] is a tough bloke to tackle ... He's a quality player no doubt, but he's no bloomin’ God of the world type thing.
“We can still play him. He's just a bloke and I'm sure Dom Cassisi can run up well against him.”
MATCH DETAILS
Geelong v Port Adelaide
Skilled Stadium, 1.10pm, Sunday
FORECAST
The bureau is predicting a cool day but there should be clear, blue skies with a top temperature around 15 degrees.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 1, 2007 at AAMI Stadium – Geelong 15.15 (105) def Port Adelaide 14.12 (96)
The Cats, after a slightly sluggish start, soon rediscovered their form of 2007 and kicked clear of Port Adelaide, with James Kelly and Joel Corey finding plenty of the footy.
Geelong led comfortably throughout the second and third quarters, with Tom Hawkins and Cameron Mooney providing strong targets in attack while Paul Chapman and Mathew Stokes were always dangerous at ground level.
Port Adelaide got back to within three goals at the last change before a piece of Gary Ablett brilliance – a magnificent running goal – was enough to see the Cats home, despite the home side pushing hard in the final minutes.
FORM GUIDE
It was a more even four-quarter effort from the Cats last week as they continue to do what they have to in order to get the four points. Despite Geelong’s defence looking a little fragile at times, the Cats always seemed to have the match in control. Geelong has been relying more on individual efforts at times in 2008 but that has been enough to achieve a 10-1 record. They return to their beloved Skilled Stadium this weekend where they lost only twice last season – one of which however came at the hands of Port Adelaide.
The Power’s finals hopes might have flickered out last week after fading dismally against Carlton. Outspoken coach Mark Williams has let the footy world know what he thinks of the Blues’ improvement – perhaps a sign that Port Adelaide’s man in charge is feeling the heat. It’s been a frustrating season for Choco and his men, with all at Alberton knowing they have more ability than their ladder position reflects.
RANDOM FACTS
- Geelong has a good recent record against the Port Adelaide, having won six of its past seven matches against the Power
- James Kelly set the tone for his impressive 2008 season with a blistering opening round when he collected 31 touches and 11 marks in the Cats’ nine-point win over the Power.
- Port Adelaide’s clearance king Shaun Burgoyne returns to the side this week. When the Power beat the Cats at Skilled Stadium last year he touched it 22 times, laid eight tackles and booted three crucial goals.
KEY MATCH UPS
Harry Taylor v Justin Westhoff
Harry Taylor seems certain to come into the Geelong side this week after a week out of senior footy against North Melbourne last week. Justin Westhoff, at 199cm, is a difficult match-up for most defences. He hasn’t been in great touch this season but looked to be finding some form against Carlton early last week. Taylor is likely to get first crack.
Gary Ablett v Kane Cornes/Dom Cassisi
Dom Cassisi has been Choco Williams’ go-to man for Ablett the last few occasions but, given the Geelong master’s recent form, the coach might have to think about ramping up security. Williams has flagged the prospect of Kane Cornes getting the job, which opens the door for one of the more tantalising duels of the season.
Cameron Mooney v Alipate Carlile
Carlile has been terrific for Port Adelaide this season and kept Blues spearhead Brendan Fevola pretty quiet last week. He’s likely to get Geelong’s main strike weapon this week, whose confidence will be up after a career-high seven goals last week. Mooney treads a fine line with his aggression, so finding that right balance might be half the battle for him. Carlile might be wise – and brave – to test that balance.
WHAT THE CLUBS SAY
Geelong coach Mark Thompson
(on facing the Power for the seventh time in 18 months)
“That's a challenge in itself because you can't keep fronting up with the same tactics, the same game plans, the same presentations to the players.
"We have to vary it up and throw lots of things at them (players) so that's a challenge."
Port Adelaide defender Michael Wilson
(on trying to stop Gary Ablett)
“I don’t think Choco will do that (tell us not to tackle Ablett).
"But he [Ablett] is a tough bloke to tackle ... He's a quality player no doubt, but he's no bloomin’ God of the world type thing.
“We can still play him. He's just a bloke and I'm sure Dom Cassisi can run up well against him.”
