Geelong’s 2024 Finals campaign commences tonight as the Cats take on Port Adelaide in a Qualifying Final at Adelaide Oval.

After securing their 14^th top four finish in the last 18 years, Geelong return to September action looking to mount another Premiership challenge after missing the Finals in 2023.

A win on Thursday night would see the Cats progress straight through to a home Preliminary Final, with the loser to host either the Western Bulldogs or Hawthorn in a Semi Final next week.

Geelong’s exciting mix of experience and youth will be on full display this Thursday with Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Rohan and Mitch Duncan all set to play the 27^th Final of their careers.

On the flip side of that the Cats will have a number of players making their Finals debut including the likes of Lawson Humphries, Shaun Mannagh, Ollie Dempsey and Jack Bowes.  

Match Details 

Port Adelaide v Geelong
7.40pm AEST, Thursday September 5
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Last Time We Met

Geelong and Port Adelaide’s last meeting came in round nine this year, when the Power hung on to record a six-point win in a thrilling clash at GMHBA Stadium.

The Cats trailed by as much as 49 points early in the second quarter, before making a barnstorming comeback that fell agonisingly short in the final moments of the game.

Tyson Stengle was at his creative best booting four goals, Zach Guthrie picked off a team high nine intercept possessions, while Tom Atkins won six clearances and laid 11 tackles in a tough display.

Recent History

Both teams have traded blows in recent history, with Geelong winning five of the last 10 games against Port Adelaide dating back to 2019.

Prior to that the Cats had well and truly controlled ascendancy in this battle, winning 14 of 15 contests against the Power between the 2007 Grand Final and round five of the 2018 season.

Across the entire AFL history between the two teams Geelong holds a 64% win rate over the Power, while also winning five of the last 10 clashes against Port at Adelaide Oval.

Team Selection

Injury Report

Click here to see the full GMHBA Health update ahead of Geelong’s Qualifying Final.

Milestones

Brad Close: 100 AFL Games

Broadcast  

The match will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 and streamed through Kayo from 7.00pm, ahead of the opening bounce at 7.40pm from Adelaide Oval. Fans will be able to listen to all the pre-game build up and match coverage on krockfootball.live from 6.00pm.

Broadcast Guide 

Geelong have run rampant in a dominant four quarter performance on Thursday night, defeating Port Adelaide by 84 points to secure a home Preliminary Final. 

The Cats were simply incredible right from the opening bounce, applying plenty of pressure early before breaking the game open after half time, booting 11 goals to one in the second half. 

There were plenty of big winners on the night for Geelong, including Tyson Stengle and Jeremy Cameron who both booted four goals to lead the charge up forward. 

Max Holmes amassed a game high 28 disposals and 668 metres gained, Shaun Mannagh was phenomenal recording 13 score involvements and booting three goals, while Zach Guthrie was outstanding down back picking up 10 intercept possessions. 

Geelong will now enjoy a week off before hosting a Preliminary Final in two weeks time. 

The Cats controlled plenty of the play early in the opening term, booting three of the first four goals to take a three point lead into quarter time. 

Tyson Stengle soccered through the opening goal of the game, Jeremy Cameron curled home a blinder and Shaun Mannagh split the middle with a beautiful snap in his AFL Finals debut. 

Stengle once again got Geelong rolling early in the second quarter, capitalising on a brilliant Max Holmes run to kick his second goal of the game. 

Port Adelaide started to wrestle back the momentum through the middle of the term, but the Cats then made their big move slamming home five unanswered goals to open up a 20 point lead heading into the main break. 

Max Holmes had a prolific impact in the opening half collecting a game high 16 disposals and 485 metres gained, Tyson Stengle kicked three goals and Lawson Humphries gathered 11 possessions at 100% efficiency. 

In his 100th AFL game, Brad Close was instrumental recording seven score involvements while Jack Henry was at his brilliant best down back, picking off six intercept possessions in the first half. 

Geelong roared back into action following the main break with quick goals to Jack Bowes, Shaun Mannagh and Tanner Bruhn extending the margin beyond 40 points. 

Shannon Neale hit the scoreboard with his first major, Shaun Mannagh slotted his third goal while the Cats held Port Adelaide goalless in the third quarter to take an unassailable 55 point lead into the final break. 

Geelong kept their foot on the pedal in the final quarter, piling on another six goals to close out the incredible 84 point win. 

AFL Qualifying Final

PORT ADELAIDE     3.4     6.7      6.9       7.12     (54)
GEELONG CATS      3.7     9.9     14.16    20.18   (138)

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Burton, Georgiades, Horne-Francis, Rioli, McEntee, Rozee, Burgoyne 1
Geelong Cats: Stengle, Cameron 4, Mannagh, Miers 3, Bowes, Neale 2, O.Henry, Bruhn 1

BEST
Port Adelaide: Bergman, Wines, Horne-Francis, Burton
Geelong: Dangerfield, Holmes, Stengle, Cameron, Mannagh, Miers, Bowes

DISPOSALS
Port Adelaide: Wines 23, Drew, Burton 21, Boak 20
Geelong Cats: Holmes 28, Guthrie 27, Dangerfield 24, Mannagh 23, Miers 21

LATE CHANGES
Port Adelaide: Nil
Geelong Cats: Tom Stewart replaced in selected side by Oisin Mullin

SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Quinton Narkle (Replaced Zak Butters at half time)
Geelong Cats: Zach Tuohy (Replaced Gryan Miers in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 50,342 at Adelaide Oval