Roar Guru
Geelong have beaten a disappointing Port Adelaide in a scrappy, physical game at Adelaide Oval.
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Final score
Port Adelaide Power 7.8 (50)
Geelong Cats 12.12 (84)
Saturday night footy takes us to Adelaide, where Port Adelaide clash with Geelong. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:40pm AEST.
Port Adelaide – so good in the first three rounds – flopped last weekend against Essendon, snapping their loss-less streak and making them fly back to Adelaide, tails between their legs. Geelong, for their part, did what everyone expected to do and beat the Saints over in Geelong.
That’s what makes tonight’s match intriguing. Port Adelaide, one would expect, will come out breathing fire, and 45,000 rabid fans will be hoping – well, demanding – for just that.
Geelong’s been sensational recently against Port – winning 13 of their past 14 clashes, including two of the three at Adelaide Oval.
The big story for Port is the continual absence of Paddy Ryder, with their improvised ruck line-up of the likes of Charlie Dixon and Justin Westhoff will continue.
Fortunately, though, their midfield will provide them with a much better contest: the names of Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert and Robbie Gray matching up well against Sam Menegola, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood.
The teams have made two changes apiece, with the Power dropping Trent McKenzie and losing Tom Rockliff to a calf injury. Jake Neade and Jack Hombisch head into the selected squad in their places.
The Cats, too, have lost one to injury and one to a demotion to the twos. It’s Corey Gregson (foot) fulfilling the former category, while young Zach Guthrie is the unlucky latter. Jackson Thurlow and James Parson head into the side.
Prediction
Geelong’s recent record against Port in Adelaide has been strong, but there’s no doubt they’ll find tonight’s challenge a little more challenging.
The Power have been formidable this season – if you ignore the capitulation against Essendon, which is admittedly hard to do.
They’ll be hoping to follow in the Crows lead and surge back with a win, but Geelong are no pushovers themselves. This’ll could be a classic, and it’ll be close(ish).
Geelong by 16 points
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 3:20pm AEST.