The VFL Cats have fallen short of a ninth straight victory despite a second-half comeback against Port Melbourne on Sunday.
The second half resurgence from the Cats wasn’t enough at North Port Oval, with Port Melbourne defeating the Cats by 2 points.
Mitch Knevitt led from the front (24 disposals, 10 tackles), with big men Shannon Neale (3 goals) and Toby Conway (20 disposals, 37 hit outs) also influential.
Brandan Parfitt and Shannon Neale saluted early for the Cats in the first to open proceedings before Port Melbourne gained the ascendency kicking six straight quarter goals to lead by 14 points at the first break.
Port continued to bring the pressure in the second quarter, with goals to Neale and Shaun Mannagh ensuring the Cats kept within striking distance, with the Borough going into half time with a 21 point lead.
A resurgent Geelong outfit was on full display in the third quarter, with Phoenix Foster, Neale and Rhys Stanley converting chances in front of goal, with Geelong’s defence holding Port Melbourne goalless for the first 25 minutes.
Despite the promising start, Port Melbourne kicked three goals in four minutes to wrestle back the momentum at the end of the third quarter.
Heading into the fourth 20 points behind, Geelong’s comeback kicked into gear with James Willis snapping his first before Hamish Lucas and Mannagh converted to bring the lead within 7.
A chase down tackle from Jed Bews provided a spark for the Cats before an out-the-back goal for Willis’ second of the quarter took the Cats to within one point. After a goal to Port, Foster kicked his second but it wasn’t enough with the Cats falling two points short as the final siren sounded.
VFL Round 13
PORT MELBOURNE 6.1 8.4 11.6 13.10 (88)
GEELONG 2.5 4.8 7.10 12.14 (86)
GOALS: Neale 3, Mannagh, Willis, Foster 2, Stanley, Lucas, Parfitt 1
DISPOSALS: Knevitt 24, Hardie 23, Clohsey 21, Herbert 21, Conway 20
@ North Port Oval, Port Melbourne
