Port Adelaide have upset AFL ladder-leaders Geelong by 11 points to continue the Cats’ post-bye curse.
The Power’s rugged 9.13 (67) to 8.8 (56) win on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval is the eighth consecutive year Geelong have lost after a bye.
The Cats’ second loss of the season was marred by the concussion of recruit Gary Rohan, who copped a head knock in an off-the-ball collision with Port’s Karl Amon.
The Power’s brilliant Robbie Gray was instrumental as Port rose to seventh on the ladder, leaving coach Ken Hinkley praising his players.
“Winning a close game against a high quality opponent … it was wonderful for them to achieve the success they deserve,” Hinkley said.
“They played a wonderful four quarters of football against a great side.”
Gray and first-year forward Connor Rozee kicked two goals apiece and emerging midfielder Dan Houston gathered 26 disposals in the Power’s seventh victory of the year.
Gray also collected 31 disposals, fellow veteran Travis Boak (30 touches) was valuable and Scott Lycett dominated the rucks with 41 hitouts, 24 disposals and nine clearances.
Port kicked the initial three goals of the game and controlled key statistics – they won the contested ball count by 36 and clearances by 16.
“The biggest problem was that margin around the stoppages,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said.
Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield, after being a late arrival into Adelaide after the birth of his second child, a daughter, on Friday morning, was influential with 28 disposals.
His midfield colleague Mitch Duncan (35 touches) was a standout and Zach Tuohy (28 disposals) and Tom Stewart (23 possessions) marshalled Geelong’s defence.
But the Cats struggled to find a forward-line winner – Gary Ablett and Darcy Fort booted two goals each – but Tom Hawkins was scoreless and blanketed by Port’s Tom Clurey.
Geelong, in defender Harry Taylor’s 250th AFL match, were within 11 points at three quarter-time.
But goals to Port’s classy duo Rozee and Gray extended the home side’s lead to 23 points early in the last – enough to hold off a belated challenge from the Cats, who kicked the last two goals.
Port’s opening trio of goals featured a Charlie Dixon conversion in his first AFL game since breaking a leg more than 10 months ago.
The Power led 21-1 after Dixon’s goal – for the rest of the game, the closest the Cats crept was within seven points early in the second stanza.
Raimond
Roar Guru
All teams are vulnerable interstate, unless the team they’re playing is complete garbage.
GJ
Guest
Missed the game and haven't really been paying much attention the Cats this year, however I'm curious to know from Cat fans which players they expect to retire at the end of the season. Ablett, Hawkins, Selwood, Taylor?
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
He's probably wasn't it to be fair, they were brave moves
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Scott looked bemused,frustrated, lost and angry at various times. Didn't he have a plan? Duncan had 35 disposals but half were short kicks and didn't contribute to the cause.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Game has brought Ken another year.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Good win, savour it. Drive and enthusiasm from start was very good. Kept it going. If they backed of the last quarter, we would have got you.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Happily confused with my team. Finally Ken is putting his best ball users in the square and look what happens. The three ins made us look so much more reliable, Ebert probably helped the most but Dixon's presence can't be understated, he's just so bloody big. Today is a great day.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Lol, righto Port should have won by 10 goals.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Hawkins ranks in the top twenty players up to his shoulders. The problem what's above.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Did Hawkins play? I thought maybe he was having a beer with Billybob. I hope we come back with a vengeance next week.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Yes I was wrong. Maybe carbon fibre not steel.
Cat
Roar Guru
How is beating the Cats after a bye stunning? Everyone does it.
Grand-Dag
Guest
This was not supposed to happen!! But then again, this is the year when every thing that is not supposed to happen, happens.