A much improved first half was not enough of a advantage for the Geelong VFL side to go on and record it’s second win of the season, as they went down to VFL powerhouse Port Melbourne 17-14-(116) to 11-11-(77) on Saturday at Skilled Stadium.

Despite constant rain on Friday night - the new million dollar surface and drainage system provided a fantastic playing surface for the final VFL curtain raiser match of the year. Although the great surface did little to assist the Cats as they once again proved their own worst enemy. After leading by 19 points at half time it was a disappointing second half fade out where the side constantly missed targets and crucial scoring opportunities.

Nathan Djerrkura, Mitchell Duncan and Ranga Ediriwickirama all returned to the side while the scheduled return of young forward Mitchell Brown was put off for another week.

The stand alone Port Melbourne side once again displayed their physical dominance against the juvenile AFL reserves side with spearhead Dean Galea continuing his rich vein of form with 5 goals and the run of former Essendon and Carlton midfielder Cory McGrath and Stephen Brewer causing all sorts of problems for the Cats.

The opening term in the final curtain raiser of the year, provided the Cats with the perfect opportunity to show a home crowd that they are still a force to be reckoned with in 2010.

Highlights early in the game included the dashing run of midfielder Taylor Hunt, the aerial dominance of Trent West and the strong defensive work of VFL listed duo Ben Raidme (18 disposals, 3 marks) and emerging defender Anthony Biemans. Adam Varcoe, Nathan Vardy and Trent West all hit the scoreboard to give the Cats a handy 20 point lead going into the first change.

With the wintry conditions showing no signs of improvement in the second quarter it was a slow start for the Cats after the break as they surrendered two early goals including a ‘thunderbolt’ from young Port forward Myles Pitt (10 disposals, 2 marks) who showed his credentials for the upcoming World Cup with a marvelous soccer style strike from the ground.

The Cats fought back late in the quarter though with first round draft pick Daniel Menzel once again exciting the home fans with his flashes of brilliance including two strong marks and goals to rest the ascendency well and truly back to the Cats. The Cats went into the main break 19 points in front and full of confidence.

Unfortunately it looked as though a different Cats side came out in the second half.

The young side appeared to be very tired and unable to match the physicality of the strong bodied Port Melbourne team who ran riot kicking 5 goals and 7 behinds from 15 inside 50’s for the 3rd quarter. If not for some poor goal kicking early in the quarter the margin of 8 points at the last change could have been much more for the flat Cats. Experienced Port players such as Cory McGrath (25 disposals, 6 marks), Stephen Brewer (30 disposals, 4 marks), Toby Pinwill (22 disposals, 2 marks) and Nathan Batsanis (31 disposals, 5 marks) provided headaches all over the ground for the Cats coaching staff.While former Williamstown enigma Dean Galea followed up has 7 goal last start with a dominant display - booting three goals for the quarter.

Only eight points behind going into the final quarter the Cats needed to point the third quarter behind them and rediscover the intensity that was on display in a brilliant first half. Unfortunately any notion of a fight back was short lived - with Port Melbourne forward Callum Sinclair kicking a crucial goal 3 minutes into the last term. Further goals to Matthew Wall (25 disposals, 5 marks), Galea and wingman Nathan Batsanis secured the 39 point win for Port Melbourne who remain 6th on the ladder with five wins, two losses.

Highlights for the Cats included the strong defensive game of Tom Gillies, the forward presence of Daniel Menzel (16 disposals, 2 goals) and return to full fitness of big man Trent West (12 disposals, 7 marks). Young forward Jackson Bright (10 disposals, 4 marks) commented after the game about the last half fade out, attributing it to the lack of conditioning in the inexperienced team’s legs, “We just ran out of puff in the second half and couldn’t get the momentum back”. It is something we definitely need to improve. We can’t keep using the excuse that we are a young side. We need to run out the game better”.

The Geelong Cats are now one win and six losses and facing the daunting prospect of travelling to Ballarat next Sunday to take on the back to back reigning premiers North Ballarat who once again find themselves in the familiar position of being on top of the VFL ladder. The match at Eureka Stadium will kick off at 2.00pm.

Port Melbourne 17-14-(116)
Geelong Cats 11-11-(77)
Goals: Menzel, Vardy 2, Varcoe, Djerrkura, Johnson, Christensen, Raidme, Cowan, West 1
Best: Gillies, West, Raidme, Christensen, Biemans, Laidler
Injuries: Hunt (corked back)
Reports: Nil