It took two upsets last week for this unexpected match up to happen and for the first time since the infamous grand final of 2007 which Geelong won by 119 points, Geelong will meet Port Adelaide in a final. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.50pm AEST.
Geelong has dominated recent encounters against Port Adelaide, Geelong has not lost to Port since Round 21, 2007 – a streak that stands at nine consecutive victories.
However this one is expected to be a close contest even though Geelong will go in as red-hot favourites.
Port Adelaide will have to defy history if they are going to make it past the second week of finals in 2013.
The only team from the bottom half of the eight to progress past the second week of the finals in the last decade was Collingwood in 2007.
Geelong has also lost its last two finals (coincidently to Fremantle); the Cats haven’t lost three consecutive finals since the period between 1997 and 2004.
So while this game may look like Geelong will dominate, if Port Adelaide wins they will create some history.
Key Matchups
Nathan Vardy vs Matthew Lobbe
The battle between the ruckman here will be crucial. Vardy will have to carry his sides ruck work in this game with Simpson injured and West out of form.
He will have his work cut out for him too with Lobbe having a day out the last time these two sides met as he gathered 17 possessions and won 59 hit-outs against the Cats in Round 20.
Angus Monfries vs Cameron Guthrie
Small forwards have a habit of hampering the Cats and Monfries delivered the goods the last time Port Adelaide played the Cats by kicking 7 goals although most of them were kicked on Jimmy Bartel.
Look for young Geelong defender Cameron Guthrie to get the job on him this time around.
The midfields
This battle will be of most importance, with the likes of Joel Selwood and Steve Johnson facing off against Kane Cornes and Travis Boak.
As we saw in most games last week, dominating the clearances will be a key element in setting a team up for victory.
Another question that will be answered is whether or not Tom Hawkins is fit enough; the reigning best and fairest has been hindered by a back injury for most of the season.
It was so bad last week that he was unable to play in the qualifying final against Fremantle.
Geelong’s forward line doesn’t work quite as well without the big man and it showed last week when they only managed to kick nine goals in what turned out to be a brilliant defensive display from Fremantle.
While most will think Geelong will win this game, if Port Adelaide can stay within distance by three-quarter time they could be a chance to steal it (They are the best fourth-quarter team in the competition apart from the Hawks).
Prediction
My tips have been a kiss of death for the team I pick this year – although I think this game will be close I think Geelong has too much class even though Port Adelaide is a team on the rise.
Geelong by ten.
Radelaide
Guest
Wasn't helped by the fact geelong players went to their knees everytime they felt contact.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Wouldn't growing the game be of the most importance? This from my opinion will be Geelong's last tilt at the flag in this era. They are looking old and in some cases their class gets them out of it. I myself didn't see any real forms of bias but that is just my opinion, although I do agree that the AFL would love a Hawthorn v Geelong preliminary final so that of course is always a possibility and I won't rule out what either if you two are saying.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Yeah the Power has good views for the future and they have the right approach to go about it, question marks over Geelong after that.
Me too
Guest
It wasn't a good look. But it'll be forgotten about, as always. AFL get their dream prelim. Umps well aware of which result was preferred by their masters, and it sits at the back of the mind, unconsciously affecting decision making.
Avon River
Guest
Great effort by young Power team. Great turn around by professional Geelong side.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time: Geelong 13.18.96 - Port Adelaide 12.8.80 Thanks to everyone who got involved tonight, next week Hawthorn will need to break the Kennett Curse if they are to make the Grand Final! Tomorrow Dan T will have all the coverage of the Swans V Carlton game from ANZ Stadium so make sure you log on and tune in. Wherever you are enjoy your weekend, and until next time I'm Brent Ford thanks for your company. :)
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time: Geelong 13.18.96 - Port Adelaide 12.8.80 Geelong Talking Points: Class, grit and sheer domination. The Cats really were good in the 2nd half, they were down and up against it but they answered their critics in this one. The big talking point early next week will be the bump that Chapman laid on Gray, he said after the game he didn't think he got him high but he did and he will probably miss next week which will kill the Cats as he kicked 4 tonight. Selwood is a captain who leads from the front, he was a man possessed in the clinches and when the crunch came down to it he managed to stand up and kick a goal that really clinched the goal. Kelly played one of his best games for the Cats in a long time and his disposals around the ground were brilliant, 28 was a good tally for someone who worked hard. Motlop, Christensen and Stokes have all evolved their game and all of them had 24 or more touches tonight. The question marks will be hanging over Podsiadly and Hawkins and especially whether Hawkins will be fit for next week, he competed but he didn't really look as damaging as he has. Quality of shots will be a concern to, Geelong generated enough scoring opportunities but kicked 13.18! Mainly because their shots were coming from wide angles or under pressure, they won't be able to do that next week. Will Corey Enright be right next week? Well the Cats missed his run off half back and his ability to play multiple positions, he will be fighting to be fit for next week!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time: Geelong 13.18.96 - Port Adelaide 12.8.80 Power talking points: That one hurts, they were riding comfortably with a 23 point lead at half time. They were monstered in the 2nd half and outscored 33 to 72 in the 2nd half. So they were really outplayed at their own game! Port were incredible on the rebound and had 26 less inside 50's then Geelong did, their young player's in O'Shea and Pittard are ones for the future. Wines and Wingard were well held in the 2nd half and Monfries name was barely called in the 2nd half. The injury to Hartlett (whatever it was!) killed the Power, he was killing it before half time and his numbers virtually halved in the 2nd half, Cornes decision to play on and be run down by Chapman was a killer but it is things that port will learn from and they will be better for it next year. They were certainly in it and with a young side they are certainly a chance to challenge in the future.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Yeah true, holding the ball itself is a joke. Half the time the player who wants the ball gets pinged, there really needs to be something done.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time: Geelong 13.18.96 - Port Adelaide 12.8.80 Team stats: Disposals: Cats 368 Power 341 Marks: Cats 87 Power 85 Tackles: Cats 67 Power 59 Inside 50's: Cats 65 Power 39 Free's: Cats 22 Power 14
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Umpires were terrible in the second half. So many missed against Geelong, but everything called against Port Adelaide. That last holding the ball on Ollie Wines was the epitome of the second half. Jimmy Bartel had the ball when the ref blew the whistle.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time: Geelong 13.18.96 - Port Adelaide 12.8.80 Disposals Winners: Cats: 28 Kelly, 28 Stokes, 27 Selwood, 25 Johnson Power: 26 Boak, 23 Broadbent, 21 Cornes, 19 Hartlett Goals: Cats: 4 Chapman, 2 Motlop, 2 Hawkins, Bartel, Duncan, Corey, Christensen, Selwood Power: 3 Westhoff, 2 Schulz, Hartlett, Logan, Broadbent, Ebert, Gray, Lobbe, Monfries
Disgusted
Guest
Never posted in my life. Don't follow either team 52 yrs old. Delusions are gone. The game is rigged
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time: Geelong 13.18.96 - Port Adelaide 12.8.80 Well what a game! Port supporters can be gallant, your team was anything but making up the numbers in this finals series. The Power was brilliant but Geelong just had too much class in this one and will face the Hawks next week.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
52,744 packed the 'G' for this game!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Qtr 4 - 0:16 seconds remaining Motlooooooooooooooooooop!! Sets sail for home after receiving the handpass from Varcoe, and the Cats will play the hawks. What a game!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Qtr 4 - 58 seconds remaining Cats 12.18.90 - Power 12.8.80 Pittard throws it and the Cats are away, Christensen marks 48 out if he gets this it's game over, wow what a critical tackle from Selwood on Pittard, rather then kicking the goal he goes to Mackie who goes to Bartel and just like this the port season will be choked away, they need two goals in a minute and Wines is pinged for holding the footy. This one is done.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Qtr 4 - 2:23 remaining Cats 12.18.90 - Power 12.8.80 Port refusing to go down easy as Cassisi bangs it long! Hartlett and now the power is back!! What the hell 2 goals in 30 seconds, Game on! No way this is crazy!! Hartlett snaps a goal!!!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Qtr 4 - 2:49 remaining Cats 12.18.90 - 11.8.74 Power Don't tell me!!! Westhoff in mid air from the pocket has probably kicked the goal of the season!! Wow!!!!!!!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Qtr 4 - 3:21 remaining Cats 12.18.90 - Power 10.8.68 Cassisi wins the clearance and finds Trengrove, Schulz doesn't even give a contest and Lonergan out marks him. Cassisi is taken down 80 from the Power goal and from the throw in the Power win the clearance and get it forward. Schulz then runs down Johnson 45 out and maybe just maybe Port could get close. Schulz shot goes across the face of goal, game over.