Bravery was on show during ANZAC Round. Hamish Hartlett was stretchered from the field with blood streaming down his face after a sickening head clash early in the second quarter. He somehow returned with his head bandaged and proved to be one of the Power’s best with 23 touches at 78% efficiency. He also collected nine marks, three clearances, four rebound 50s and four inside 50s in a brave performance in a losing side. Jack Hombsch’s mark going back with the flight of the ball was brave too, and came at a vital juncture in the game with the Power nine points down in the third quarter. Ollie Wines also returned to finish the game despite rolling his ankle early in the final quarter and finished as one of his side’s best.
Geelong is still Port Adelaide's bogey side. The Cats’ dominance spans back to the Grand Final win in 2007, having now won 14 of their past 15 encounters with Port, including the last three at the Adelaide Oval. Coach Chris Scott says Port's home ground holds no fears for his side, claiming the venue has similar dimensions to the Cattery.
Port Adelaide has some squad depth. Jake Neade, Jack Hombsch and Lindsay Thomas each contributed after being brought into the side that lost to Essendon. Neade had the Power’s first two goals and while his stats don’t reflect it, he was a nuisance in the forward 50 with plenty of defensive pressure. Hombsch was composed in defence and finished with 15 disposals, seven marks and eight spoils to be among his side’s best on the night, while Thomas booted an impressive goal from a tight angle to spark his side in the second quarter. He provided a physical presence throughout the game and will be better for his first AFL minutes for the club.
Late inclusions can be good inclusions. Thomas was only in the side because young forward Todd Marshall pulled out late because he hadn’t recovered from a concussion. In a game where Port’s forwards struggled he was not the worst of them. Geelong’s George Horlin-Smith had an even later call-up having been told he’d be playing during the warm-up. Back spasms forced Tom Hawkins out of Geelong's line-up and Horlin-Smith took the opportunity with both hands. The 25-year-old was one of the Cats' best with 26 touches and two goals.
Port Adelaide’s efficiency inside 50 needs to improve. The Power had 52 forward entries for just four marks. Its players were forced into slow build-up play and pushed out of the centre corridor. Too often the home side bombed the ball long to contests or made basic skill errors, failing to convert on numerous chances to score. Forwards Charlie Dixon, Jack Watts, Travis Boak and Chad Wingard each failed to kick a major in a low-scoring affair.
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