AT the halfway point of the season, Port Adelaide sits outside the top eight and fighting to win games against similarly placed teams. Here's what we learned from Friday night's loss to Geelong.
1. There's no more telling stat…
Marks not held, kicks falling short of their target, made going forward harder on Friday night [pic: AFL Photos]
...Than nine kicks out of bounds on the full.
Port Adelaide's clangers on Friday night were far too frequent and dashed many of the club's runs forward. Whether it was handing the Cats the ball on the boundary, missing targets or dropping marks, Port's consistent inconsistency continued to haunt the side. Turnovers from poor execution were constant and change from attack mode to defending constantly hurt the Power's rhythm.
The fix for that is hard work and "backing method", but it's going to take some work.
HINKLEY: Execution isn't there
VOTE: Wok in a Box Fans' MVP
2. There's always a tipping point...
Motlop's last goal of the third put the Cats 16 points up [pic: AFL Photos]
...It happened when the Cats booted goals through Josh Caddy and Steven Motlop at the end of the third quarter to push the margin out to a game-high 16-point lead. You can have all the statistical advantages in the match, you can have more fit men on the field, but footy is still the simplest of games sometimes and Geelong's sudden two-goal boost placed a big hurdle in the Power's way.
TALKING POINTS: Power v Cats
REPORT: Cats pounce on Port
3. Leaks hurt superiority
Geelong's chance goals in the first quarter kept them right in the game. [pic: AFL Photos]
Port was pretty good in the first quarter, but a few easy or chance goals down back meant the Cats were still in with a sniff at the first break. When the game changed from what looked like a possible shootout into an intense contested slog, Geelong's experience came to the fore, particularly when defending, and the Cats made the most of their opportunities to kick ahead whenever Port would get a goal back.
PLAYER VIEW: Gray, Broadbent, Ebert
INJURY: White does a hammy
4. Wingard the Winter Warrior
Wingard has kicked seven goals in three June games. [pic: AFL Photos]
The 2013 John Cahill Medallist keeps kicking goals - literally - and is was a shining light on Friday. He's had a great couple of weeks and has started hitting his stride as that running forward who can curl a goal from just about anywhere. Probably the Power's most consistent this month, he's having a little purple patch that lights up the crowd.
Should get a Mark of the Year nom for that grab too.
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PLAYER REVIEWS: Macca's best five
Stay tuned to portadelaidefc.com.au this week as we review the first half of the season...
