AFL Finals 2024: Four takeaways as Geelong send statement in Port Adelaide dismantling

Geelong has booked their 13th preliminary final appearance in 18 seasons after rolling past Port Adelaide on their home deck.

The Cats were simply a class above as nearly everything they touched turned to gold while the pressure wilted the Power.

Here are our four takeaways from Geelong’s 84-point qualifying final victory at Adelaide Oval.

1. Lawson Humphries AFL rebirth

Last season, Lawson Humphries played in a WAFL Reserves decider for Swan Districts. Just 12 months later, after being picked up in the mid-season draft, he starred in the game’s most important position as the Cats dismantled the Power. Alongside Max Homles, Humphries provided a dynamic, hard-working link in Geelong’s lethal transition game, using his legs and kicking to rip through the home side.

2. Danger signs

Nothing beats the experience and class of a former Brownlow Medallist in a final, and Patrick Dangerfield was everywhere he needed to be when he needed to be there. He was rested during the last quarter ahead of a preliminary final but was the leading disposal winner at the time with 20 as well as four clearances.

3. A class above

After trailing by 19 points in the first term, the Power stormed to the lead just nine minutes into the second. However, Geelong found a gear of pure class; Port were barely able to touch them in a ten-minute period that helped the Cats to a 20-point advantage at the main break. Everything they did was perfect, from clean pickups to thrifty, phone-booth handballs.

4. Butter luck next time

Port Adelaide were left with plenty of wounds to lick after an insipid performance in front of their home fans, but none bigger than Zak Butter’s rib concern. Ken Hinkley confirmed the midfielder was sore at halftime. However, the youngster was subbed out not long after despite the coach saying he would return to the field.