- May 15, 2013
- 13,781
- 16,814
- AFL Club
- Port Adelaide
Its 10 years since Dom Cassisi kicked the match winning goal at this very ground. Fingers crossed, we see a repeat of that this week!
This week we travel to the 'Cattery' to take on the new premiership favorites
that is the Geelong Football Club. Armed with a new stand and some tackling pressure against the best pressure side in the comp, that had to be seen to be believed, the Cats seem like a formidable opponent. However, if you look back to the 3 weeks prior to their win over the Dogs, they lost 3 games which they really should have won against Collingwood, Gold Coast and Essendon. So do they really deserve to be the premiership favourites after one game? Of course not. Geelong are yet to prove that they are the real deal. They win the ones they are expected to lose and lose the ones they are expected to win. So why is that? Is it because 'Dangerwood' take it easy against these sides or is it that they heavily rely on 'Dangerwood' to win them games too much and too often? The 2nd tier of Geelong midfielders are still inconsistent and when the going gets tough, they rely on 'Dangerwood' to pick up the slack and win them the game. Guys like Duncan, Guthrie, Blicavs etc.
The key to beating Geelong is keeping one of Dangerfield or Selwood quiet or both. We do that, we go a long way towards winning.
If Port Adelaide stops these two, who else picks up the slack in the Cats midfield?
Now onto Port Adelaide. After a week off, Port will be well rested for this clash with the Cats. Question is, can we play like we have against Brisbane/Fremantle/Sydney/Gold Coast and beat a side who looks to have their mojo back and are at home? I'm thinking we can. The week off will have done guys like Robbie a world of good if they are to overcome their little niggles.
We seem to be playing like we did in 2014, but without a win against a 'top 8' side as of yet. This is the perfect chance to do so and there is no bigger scalp than Geelong at Geelong. Guys like Ebert, Wingard and Ryder have been huge for us this year and plenty of support around them with Polec, Dixon, Boak, Broadbent and SPP all playing good football. We seem to know our structures well and are playing to them, however missed kicks late in games and a few errors are costing us against sides like West Coast and Adelaide.
Has Robbie gotten over his groin troubles or is he still hampered?
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Steve Motlop: Motlop has been a little up and down this season, but can turn a game on its head in the space of 5 minutes. He looms as the danger man for Geelong as he will be looking to bounce back after a quiet game against the Dogs, where he had 18 touches and 0.1.
Zach Tuohy: Since crossing over from the Blues, 2E has been a little inconsistent with his performances off half back, but can be a real weapon for the Cats, with his booming right foot and his blistering speed. Had 28 touches and 7 inside 50s against the Dogs and will be looking to back that performance up.
Daniel Menzel: Was kept quiet against the Dogs with 6 touches and 2 goals, but doesnt need a lot of possessions to have an impact on the scoreboard. Menzel looms as the most dangerous forward for the Cats as he is quick, agile and a very good overhead mark. Think Jonas will get the job on Menzel on Thursday and will need to be at his best to curb his influence.
Port Adelaide
Chad Wingard: Chad has been in blistering form since moving into the midfield and was arguably BOG in China. He adds another dimension to our midfield with his silky skills, great agility and his one touch plays, the Cats midfield will have to work hard to negate Chad around the stoppages and up forward. Probably our barometer for our side and when he plays well, Port play well.
Ollie Wines: Ollie copped a knock to the knee a few weeks ago and since then, his performances have been a little down from his start to the season. Should be rested enough after the bye to come out and play his typical bash and crash style of game. Needs to put his physicality on the contest from the get go and get into the minds of the Geelong mids.
Jackson Trengove: Jacko has been sent all around the ground this year so far, but seems to have the most impact on the side as a 2nd KPF, assisting Charlie. Very physical and is the heart and soul of this Port Adelaide team. The Cats talls will have a hard time containing both Charlie and Jacko and we need them to impact the game early on to set us up.
PREDICTION:
Port by 9
Ebert BOG
Crowd: 31,871
