AFL Finals 2024 Recap: Insipid Port Adelaide succumb to Geelong might in 84-point mauling
Geelong have suffered a huge blow ahead of their qualifying final against Port Adelaide with Tom Stewart ruled out with injury. Can the Cats recover or will Port power themselves to a prelim?
September means finals footy is finally upon us as Geelong take on the in-form Port at Adelaide Oval who are coming off six straight wins.
Can they use their home-ground advantage to book a prelim birth? Follow live!
More run and gun from the Cats
Geelong are just so clean with ball in hand at the moment particularly out of the contest which is killing the Power. Holmes finds Ollie Henry but his snap comes back in too sharply for another behind.
GEL 24 PA 8
Cats on fire
Geelong are +20 in possesions at the moment. Blicavs misses from in front then Close’s shot on the run floats wide.
But Port are hemmed in their back half. They’re taking the game on through the middle but they continue to turn the ball over.
It’s nine inside 50s to three and it’s danger signs early for Port.
Geelong dominating the contest
Shaun Mannagh misses from a tight angle but Port cannot find any clean possession at the moment. Geelong win the ball back and they work it through hands in the pocket to Mannagh who snaps truly as the Cats continue their hot start.
Port on the board
Power have the chance to go forward for the first time but cough the ball up, right on 50.
Geelong go forward again but Travis Boak is on hand to relieve the pressure. The Power surge through the middle to find Willie Rioli on 50, he handballs off to Ryan Burton who launches to give Port their first major
CAMERON KICKS A STUNNER
The Cats win the centre clearance and go up the wing. Jeremy Cameron receives the handball and he’s in the pocket. But he somehow bends it around to kick a remarkable goal from right on the boundary.
What a start for Geelong.
We’re underway
It’s a poor bounce to start but play continues as Max Holmes has an early look at the goals but misses right.
There’s some nerves for Port who fumble the ball out of play. The Cats re-launch as Tyson Stengle makes something out of nothing to kick the ball out of mid air to get the opening goal.
GEL 7 PA 0
Enjoy the moment
The form line
Port won the last six games of the home and away season but they have an up and down record in finals winning five or their last 12.
With his coaching future seemingly in doubt earlier this season is this the time Ken Hinkley can finally breakthrough to get Port back into a grand final for the first time since 2007.
Welcome
Hello and welcome as the 2024 AFL finals series gets underway with Geelong taking Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.
The big news that broke earlier is defender Tom Stewart was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Oisin Mullin will come in while Brad Scott also said they wouldn’t risk Sam De Koning just yet.
No late changes for Port who welcome back Charlie Dixon with Quinton Narkle coming in for the injured Kane Farrell.
