PORT Adelaide has continued its disappointing start to the second half of the season after it went down Geelong by 34 points at Skilled Stadium on Sunday, 18.14 (122) to 13.10 (88).
The loss is another blow to Port Adelaide’s finals chances. The Power has now lost four of its past five games and sits 10th on the AFL ladder with a poor percentage.
Port’s seventh defeat of the season also comes as Mark Williams’ future at the club is being decided at board level with a meeting convened on Monday to consider the coach’s tenure.
It was a disappointing day for Williams, who guided his team for the 250th time.
His side impressed considerably in the second (5.2 to 3.4) and final quarters (6.6 to 2.1), but Port Adelaide's first and third periods ultimately cost it the match. Geelong booted 7.5 to 1.1 in the first quarter and 6.4 to 1.1 in the third term.
David Rodan was Port Adelaide's best performer. He was the only Power player to reach double-figure disposals in the first half (13). In the finish, he had 23 disposals and worked tirelessly all day.
Ex-Cat Jason Davenport, in his third AFL match, impressed with two goals and 21 touches. Kane Cornes (20 disposals) also played a fine match on Joel Selwood (18).
Key defender Troy Chaplin stood tall under pressure, with fellow backmen Alipate Carlile and Toby Thurstans also battling manfully.
For Geelong, superstar Gary Ablett was again brilliant with a game-high 36 disposals.
Shannon Byrnes continued his underrated season and fine recent form, booting four goals on the back of five majors last round, while Joel Corey (34 disposals) and Paul Chapman (33 touches) also impressed.
Geelong set up the win with an outstanding first quarter.
The Cats booted seven majors to one, with Warren Tredrea Port Adelaide's only goalscorer.
Shannon Byrnes (three goals and 10 touches) and Jimmy Bartel (two) were outstanding in the first quarter. Paul Chapman also had 12 disposals by quarter-time.
The Cats lost David Johnson early in the second term with a hamstring injury, as the Power moved up a gear with five goals to three for the quarter.
Port Adelaide jagged three goals in five minutes with Davenport booting two in a row – both fine kicks on the run. Davenport's second reduced the deficit back to 23 points.
But just before half-time Davenport hobbled from the field with what looked like a knee problem, although he was back in the action after the main break.
Any thought of a second half comeback by Port Adelaide was quickly thwarted when the Cats piled on five unanswered goals 15 minutes into the third term.
It wasn't until time-on when Port Adelaide opened its account in the second half, courtesy of Josh Carr, who landed his second for the match.
Consequently, Geelong turned a six-goal advantage at half-time into a 63-point lead at the final change.
With the game all but over, the Cats took the foot off the gas, as the Power reduced the deficit considerably in the final term.
Port Adelaide has now lost its past four against Geelong, with the Power winning just one of its past nine matches against the Cats.
The Power will now host the Brisbane Lions at AAMI Stadium next Saturday afternoon, while the only two undefeated teams in the competition – St Kilda and Geelong – will battle at Docklands next Sunday in the season's most anticipated home-and-away contest.
Geelong 7.5 10.9 16.13 18.14 (122)
Port Adelaide 1.1 6.3 7.4 13.10 (88)
GOALS
Geelong: Byrnes 4, Ablett 2, Bartel 2, Chapman 2, Corey, Hawkins, S.Johnson, Kelly, Ling, Milburn, Mooney, Varcoe
Port Adelaide: Tredrea 3, Carr 2, Davenport 2, Ebert 2, Logan 2, Gray, J.Westhoff
BEST
Geelong: Ablett, Byrnes, Chapman, Corey, Kelly, Milburn, Scarlett
Port Adelaide: Rodan, Davenport, K.Cornes, Chaplin, Tredrea
INJURIES
Geelong: D.Johnson (hamstring)
Port Adelaide: Nil
REPORTS
P.Burgoyne (PA) for engaging in rough conduct against Kelly (Geel) in the second quarter by field umpire Mollison
Umpires: Margetts, Rosebury, Mollison
Official crowd: 21,142 at Skilled Stadium
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club or the AFL.
