THE POWER will have to wait at least another week for their first win in 2008 after narrowly losing the grand final rematch in front of 28,206 fans at AAMI Stadium.
Port Adelaide trailed by as much as 37 points late in the second quarter, but staged an almighty comeback to claw within nine points in the final term, finally losing 15.15 (105) to 14.12 (96).
The Power outscored Geelong 8.11 to 5.7 in the second half, but errant kicking in front of goal robbed the home side of what would have been an unlikely win.
Skipper Warren Tredrea and vice-captain Brendon Lade were influential with two goals apiece, while Brett Ebert top-scored for the Power with three goals.
Dom Cassisi and Kane Cornes had plenty of the ball and combined to keep Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel’s influence to a minimum.
Paul Stewart also showed poise in his AFL debut with some strong rebounding from half-back.
The rematch between the 2007 Grand Finalists started at a frenetic pace and Port Adelaide, with the breeze, gained the early ascendancy.
A rejuvenated Tredrea asserted his presence on the game with a strong overhead mark, which resulted in the first goal of the game to Ebert.
Chapman eluded Matthew Thomas to snatch Geelong’s first goal, but the visitors let Port Adelaide off the hook with consecutive behinds to Steve Johnson and Cam Mooney.
The Power, courtesy of some handy tap-work from Lade, punished the Cats for their inaccuracy with two quick goals.
Peter Burgoyne burst out of defence and pin-pointed Ebert with a 50m pass. Ebert slotted through his second goal before Chad Cornes, who lined up in attack, set up an opportunistic goal to Tom Logan.
But the Cats fought back through some familiar names.
Geelong notched up 15 inside-50s for the quarter and the young Power defence eventually succumbed to the onslaught. Steve Johnson began an avalanche of Cats goals, and first-gamer Ryan Gamble put the visitors 16 points clear at quarter time.
Sensing the danger, Coach Mark Williams shifted Chad Cornes into the centre square, but the All-Australian watched helplessly as Mooney was handed his second goal courtesy of a dubious free kick.
Kane Cornes crept forward and gave the home side a quick reply, but Port Adelaide’s second-quarter comeback was quickly snuffed out.
Joel Corey, Gary Ablett and James Kelly took over at the centre clearances and set up three straight goals to Stokes, Cameron Ling and Tom Hawkins.
The young Power side continued to err under pressure and made countless decision-making errors, which proved costly.
Shaun Burgoyne escaped Ling to win a clearance and find Tredrea, who marked and goaled to bring the margin back to 31 points at the main break.
Port Adelaide fans braced for another blow-out margin when the Cats opened the third quarter with two early shots on goal, but the Power showed heart and outscored Geelong four goals to two for the term.
Daniel Motlop unleashed from outside 50 to nail his first goal, but the euphoria was short-lived when he was reported for late contact on Corey.
Corey’s 50m penalty gave the Cats another gimme goal, but the Power responded through a goal to Lade.
Port Adelaide’s forward-line pressure moved up a gear and suddenly it was the Cats who couldn’t clear their defensive arc. But the Power, who only had one behind to half time, squandered six opportunities in front of goal, until a 50m penalty to Tredrea put the Power within 18 points at the final change.
Williams tried to inspire his troops with a trip to the outer side of AAMI Stadium, but Ablett silenced the crowd with a brilliant running goal to thrust the momentum back Geelong’s way.
Shaun Burgoyne, Justin Westhoff and Chad Cornes tried to ignite the home side with final-quarter goals, but Geelong had the answers, with goals to Chapman and Andrew Mackie.
Motlop, Shaun Burgoyne and Ebert all missed shots as the Cats held on to snatch the win.
Geelong 6.4 10.8 12.11 15.15 (105)
Port Adelaide 4.0 6.1 10.5 14.12 (96)
GOALS
Geelong: Stokes 3, Chapman 3, Mooney 2, Ablett, Corey, Gamble, Hawkins, S Johnson, Ling, Mackie
Port Adelaide: Ebert 3, Lade 2, Tredrea 2, Motlop 2, Boak, S Burgoyne, C Cornes, Logan, Westhoff
BEST
Geelong: Corey, Ling, Chapman, Kelly, Selwood, Scarlett
Port Adelaide: C Cornes, K Cornes, Lade, Thomas, Tredrea
INJURIES
Geelong: Hunt (ankle)
Port Adelaide: Tredrea (nosebleed)
Reports: Port Adelaide: Daniel Motlop reported by umpire Rosebury in third quarter for charging Joel Corey
Umpires: Donlon, Rosebury, Avon
Crowd: 28,206 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
