Geelong’s 2020 Finals campaign gets underway on Thursday night when the Cats travel to Adelaide to take on the Power in the first qualifying final.
There will be a lot to play for with the winner to advance directly through to a preliminary final, whilst the loser will host a semi final against the winner of West Coast and Collingwood next week.
After earning a double chance with a fourth place finish, Geelong enters the match with confidence and coach Chris Scott says his team is ready to 'embrace' the challenge that awaits.
"It is great to be in the race, we’ve worked really hard to get to this point and given ourselves a chance, but we are really aware that’s all it is," Scott said.
"What we have done throughout this year won’t count for much if we cannot deliver in the moment, so with that comes some stress, some excitement and some nervousness, but we relish that and embrace it."
For and Against: Played 34 games | Won: 23 | Drawn: 1 | Lost: 10
Last time they met: R12, 2020 – Geelong 14.7 (91) def Port Adelaide 4.7 (31)
Tom Hawkins and Gary Rohan combined to kick nine goals. Cameron Guthrie had a game-high 27 disposals and Patrick Dangerfield was influential in the middle with four centre clearances and 24 touches.
Travis Boak led the way for the Power with 24 disposals and seven clearances, whilst Ollie Wines had five clearances and five intercepts.
Broadcast & Match Details
Thursday 1 October from 7.40pm AEST.
Watch: Seven, Fox Footy, Kayo
Listen: K Rock Football
Chris Scott on Port Adelaide...
"We have always had a high level of respect for the way they go about it, the way they’re coached, they’re going to be a significant challenge," Scott said.
"Statistically they have been consistent right throughout the year and they are clear on the way they want the game played.
"Their stoppage and contest work has been important for them. We were okay there last time, but we are not going into the game thinking lets replicate what we did last time, because again every week tends to be unique in its own right and we shouldn’t dismiss the fact that they may have had a bad day the last time we played them."
Six versus Six...
When Thursday night arrives it will have been 2575 days since the two sides last met in a final. It as the 2013 semi final with Geelong 16-point winners on that occasion.
Both sides have six players apiece that featured in that game that are still playing and likely to line up for their respective sides this week.
Joel Selwood, Harry Taylor, Tom Hawkins, Mitch Duncan, Cameron Guthrie and Mark Blicavs were amongst the winning side for the Cats, whilst Brad Ebert, Travis Boak, Robbie Gray, Ollie Wines, Tom Jonas and Hamish Hartlett featured for the Power.
Bews set to bring up ton...
It will be a special occasion for Jed Bews who is set to play his 100th AFL game. Taken as a father-son selection in the 2011 national draft, Bews will become the 164th Geelong player to play 100 games for the club.
Jed's Father Andrew played 207 games for Geelong between 1982 and 1993.
Selwood set for podium...
Joel Selwood will draw level with Gordon Coventry in third position on the all-time VFL/AFL list for most finals played with 31.
Harry Taylor is also on the move and due to play his 28th final, which will see him draw level with former premiership Cat Jimmy Bartel in equal eighth spot.
