Geelong’s 2024 Finals campaign commences tonight as the Cats take on Port Adelaide in a Qualifying Final at Adelaide Oval.
After securing their 14th 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 27th 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.
