Adelaide Oval, Sunday 27 April, 4:40pm EST
Port Adelaide surprised the football world by reaching the finals last season, stunned Collingwood a week later, and stretched Geelong right to the final siren in a sensational Semi Final. The Power are not just a good football story, they are a good football team, boasting the fittest list in the AFL and a “Never Give Up” attitude. The Cats’ confidence is sky high after a combative victory over Hawthorn in yet another Easter Monday blockbuster. They have won their last 10 encounters with Port Adelaide and maintain an unblemished record this season. The Sunday twilight match at the new Adelaide Oval will be the Cats’ second consecutive top of the table clash, a first class contest in first class facilities.
Last Time They Met
GEELONG 13.18 (96)
PORT ADELAIDE 12.8 (80)
The battle hardened Cats were unbackable favourites to defeat Port Adelaide in the Semi Final at the MCG. Having tasted finals success, the young Power outfit were hungry for more and not intimidated by their vastly more experienced opponents. They delivered the physical commitment required for finals football and lead the Cats by four goals at half time. Momentum swung drastically after the major break and Geelong kicked five goals to one to take the front at three quarter time. Port Adelaide were bruised but not beaten and regained the lead with two quick goals before the Cats, lead by a four goal effort from Paul Chapman, clawed their way to victory.
Key Match Up
JAMES KELLY vs CHAD WINGARD
Chad Wingard had a breakout season in 2013, winning All Australian honours and Port Adelaide’s Best & Fairest. He is ranked 17th in the league for scoreboard impact and involved in 29% of the Power’s scoring chains. Wingard is capable of the spectacular and produces his best in big games, kicking four goals in round two in the historical first showdown at the Adelaide Oval.
James Kelly has forged a long and successful career as an inside midfielder. Strong around stoppages and a terrific tackler, Kelly has taken on a new role this season as Geelong transitions a new generation of Cats into the centre. Geelong has had the strongest defence so far this season and Kelly has been a pivotal component of the Cats’ back six. He restricted Cyril Rioli to just seven disposals last week and his rebound out of defence was sensational, finding a Geelong player with 14 of his 15 possessions. Kelly has proven himself capable of defending on the last line and has the capacity to run with Wingard when he works higher up the ground.
The Stat That Matters
Geelong have been the fastest starters of any team in 2014, kicking the first goal of every match so far this year. In contrast Port Adelaide ranked third last year in fourth quarter score differentials behind Hawthorn and Fremantle and have scored twice as much as their opponents in final terms this season.
Did You Know?
Paul Roos took the entire Melbourne list to the MCG on Monday to watch Hawthorn take on Geelong. The new Demons coach used the top of the table clash as a source of inspiration and a learning exercise for his young team.
