Port Adelaide has already made its intentions for the 2007 NAB Cup clear. Last Friday night a near full-strength line-up set an early benchmark for the new season with a three-point dumping of the Adelaide Crows.
This week’s Round 2 match will almost certainly constitute Port’s most unusual 2007 road trip: a date in Darwin with reigning NAB Cup champions Geelong.
Port Adelaide has not beaten the Cats since the Qualifying Final of the triumphant 2004 campaign. Only a handful of players remain from that famous team and a youthful new list now has the job of writing history.
Steve Salopek’s injury, Peter Burgoyne’s illness and the omission of Daniel Motlop for missing training are significant blows but open the door for potential debutants Travis Boak, Nathan Krakouer, Justin Westhoff and Adam Cockshell. Both sides are allowed two extra interchange players to compensate for the oppressive Darwin heat – conditions that could actually suit the Power. The Cats have never played at TIO Stadium in Darwin, while the Port is two from two and had four players in the all-stars side that ventured to Darwin last month.
RECENT FORM
Beat Adelaide by 3 (2007 NAB Cup Round 1)
PAST FIVE ENCOUNTERS VS GEELONG
Round 15, 2006: Geelong 9.14 (68) def Port Adelaide 8.10 (58)
Round 16, 2005: Geelong 18.18 (126) def Port Adelaide 7.5 (47)
Round 5, 2005: Geelong 15.9 (99) def Port Adelaide 15.5 (95)
1st Qualifying Final, 2004: Port Adelaide 18.9 (117) def Geelong 9.8 (62)
Round 10, 2004: Port Adelaide 18.8 (116) def Geelong 17.10 (112)
STRENGTHS
Midfield form:
The early signs are good in the centre. Ball magnets Kane Cornes, Danyle Pearce and Steve Salopek found plenty of it against Adelaide last week and were well supported by Peter Burgoyne and Nathan Lonie, who impressed in their return from injury. Salopek and Pearce also managed to register goals, while Shaun Burgoyne’s 75m bomb not only gave the Power nine points but a swing in momentum. Perhaps the most impressive quality of the midfield was not the number of disposals racked up, but the pressure applied to opponents. Kane Cornes laid a massive nine tackles, backing up from a 2006 which saw him second in tackles at the club (to Shaun Burgoyne), while Shaun’s older brother, Peter, made seven. Kane Cornes, Shaun Burgoyne and Pearce were amongst the best players in last year’s narrow loss to the Cats and will need to put their hands up again in Darwin. Salopek’s absence due to a calf injury is a big loss, but provides No.5 draft pick Boak with his debut opportunity. The humid conditions will ensure the full depth of both midfields are utilised, an area Port Adelaide should take advantage of.
Ruck Mobility:
Injury permitting, the awesome ruck combination of Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan should be a strength all year. Their dominance in the last half against Adelaide gave the midfield first use of the ball, inspiring the thrilling come from behind victory. This week Lade and Brogan, who is nursing a broken nose, will take on a Geelong line-up missing former captain Steven King and power forward Brad Ottens. Provided there are no holes to fill in the Power defence that will have to contain Cam Mooney and Nathan Ablett, the mobility of Lade and Brogan could provide the Cats with some headaches.
POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES:
Containing the Cats’ forwards:
While Troy Chaplin and Michael Wilson both put in impressive performances against the Crows last week, Wilson conceded they were out-marked inside their defensive 50 too many times. Port Adelaide cannot afford a repeat of this statistic against the Cats.Chaplin might get first crack at Nathan Ablett, but Toby Thurstans and Michael Pettigrew could also be tested. The potential match up of the game is Chad Cornes on Geelong centre-half forward, Cam Mooney. Cornes will be eager to antagonise the feisty cat, who was suspended last time the two sides met. Brad Symes could be welcomed back into the side with the mission of shadowing Gary Ablett Jr. but the task is more likely to go to renowned taggers Dom Cassisi or Wilson.
Goalpower up forward:
In the last outing against Geelong the Power managed only 8.10 in a low-scoring scrap, and that was with Warren Tredrea (although he was unfit). The scoreline last week was not much brighter with coach Mark Williams identifying the forward set-up as a missing piece of the puzzle. Brett Ebert was lively against the Crows with two goals and will need at least a repeat performance. It was a promising sign that Tom Logan, Greg Bentley, Adam Thomson and David Rodan all chipped in last week, but Port still needs more multiple goalkickers. Geelong on the other hand kicked 20 goals against Richmond, including four apiece to Ottens and Mooney. Utility Toby Thurstans could be used as a forward target in his return from an ankle injury, while Justin Westhoff, Nathan Krakouer and Adam Cockshell all have forward pocket potential if selected.
SWEATING ON:
Emergence of a key forward:
This is the area that would be causing Mark Williams most headaches. With Tredrea at centre-half forward, Chad Cornes at centre-half back and Darryl Wakelin at fullback, the Port spine is impressive. But without that missing vertebra at centre-half forward and no noted full-forward it is unstable. The Power had 18 more inside-50s than the Crows last week but failed to capitalise due to poor disposal and a lack of forward targets. Josh Mahoney will be keen to open his 2007 account after a quiet game first up. The forwards will not only have to kick a competitive score but also contain the run generated by Geelong backmen Matthew Scarlett, Joel Corey and Corey Enright.
DANGERMEN
Cameron Mooney:
Mooney is a barometer of the Geelong Football Club and a proven match winner. The colourful forward had 16 touches and 11 marks against the Power in Round 15, but was also suspended – his fourth trip to the tribunal for the season. For a man standing 194cm and weighing 100kg, Mooney has tremendous agility and provides a fiery match up for Chad Cornes.
Gary Ablett Jr.:
Stopper Michael Wilson actually restricted the silky-skilled forward to 14 touches last time the two sides met, but two of those possessions set up Geelong goals. Gary Ablett Jr is one of those players who require minimal time or space to inflict maximum pain. Ablett Jr was the Cats’ leading goalkicker in 2006 and best-on-ground against Richmond last week. He will require close attention regardless of whether he plays up forward or in the midfield.
DID YOU KNOW?
Dom Cassisi was picked up at No.50 in the 2000 National AFL Draft. What a steal!
