Ferocious Power attack leaves the Cats rattled and at risk of early exit

Port Adelaide has reached its seventh preliminary final by proving far too good for Geelong in a qualifying final played at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

All Australian defender Aliir Aliir dominated the marking contests early in Port Adelaide’s 43-point win over Geelong. Picture: Getty Images.

Driven by a devastating near miss last October, Port Adelaide furthered its premiership push with a flourish by overwhelming Geelong by 43 points in a qualifying final at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

The Power produced a brutish performance to book a preliminary final spot for the second year in succession, winnng 12.14 (86) to 5.13 (43).

Port Adelaide is peaking at the right time and now have a fortnight’s break as it bids for a second premiership to add to its celebrated triumph in 2004.

The Power only secured a double-chance when they overcame the Western Bulldogs in a thriller at Marvel Stadium last Friday. Now they stand one win from another grand final.

It is not yet certain where the preliminary final will be played, but should the Covid-19 conditions be favourable, the Power may yet be able to host it at Adelaide Oval.

The Power had hoped to celebrate their 150th anniversary last year with a premiership. Instead it proved a bittersweet season.

The arrival of Covid-19 overshadowed a momentous year for the Power and locked their fans out of their spiritual home at Alberton Oval.

They performed brilliantly to secure the minor premiership, which helped Ken Hinkley secure his coaching job.

But eventual premiers Richmond edged them in a preliminary final that could have gone either way at Adelaide Oval.

The experience clearly did not deter the Power, for the endeavour with which they tackled their first final since was very impressive.

The early stages of the qualifying final were even until the Power edged away to lead by ten points at quarter-time.

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Port Adelaide seized complete control in the second quarter when kicking four goals to one and the defensive masterclass continued in the third term when the Cats failed to kick a goal.

Port Adelaide is blessed with a quality midfield.

Scott Lycett is a premiership ruckman. Ollie Wines is a bull. Travis Boak defies Father Time.

In attack, Robbie Gray is among the best ever to represent the Power. Younger talents Zak Butters, Xavier Duursma and Connor Rozee had injury issues this year, but the trio have timed their run to perfection.

In Aliir Aliir, they have an All-Australian defender who floats about the backline marking everything in sight before delivering a sting in return with his creative use of the footy.

It was almost as though he could read the minds of his rivals as they were moving forward. His frequent marking in defence in the first quarter set the tone for the remainder of the game.

In attack, the Power’s mosquito fleet buzzed about with menace, with their ability to cut through Geelong’s defence a critical feature in the opening half blitz.

By the main break, six of Port Adelaide’s eight goals for the half were kicked by small forwards, with Daniel Motlop and Orazio Fantasia sharing four between them.

Perhaps the only concern is that Fantasia, who kicked four goals, finished the match on the interchange bench with an ice bag on his knee. He said later that he “will be fine with the break”.

About the only facet of the match where the Power did not dominate was when the ball went back to the centre after a goal, with Geelong winning all ten clearances in the first half.

The number of spilt marks was indicative of the Cats’ confusion and they never looked fluent moving into attack, with their stars shackled by the defensive pressure applied to them.

At halftime last Saturday night, when Geelong led Melbourne by 41 points, the Cats appeared certain to win the minor premiership.

But the Demons kicked nine of the last 11 goals in the match to up-end them. It may prove the decisive blow to the Cats’ premiership hopes given their dip in confidence and composure.

Geelong now face a sudden-death clash against either Sydney or the Giants. They lost to both clubs this year.

The loss of Tom Stewart has exposed their defence, which struggled without his surety. A hamstring injury suffered by Mark O’Connor is another blow.

The challenge for Geelong will be to create enough opportunities, from next weekend’s semi-final, for forward line pillars Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron to capitalise.

The Power was able to free up Aliir early by manning Cameron with Tom Jonas and Hawkins with Trent McKenzie.

The Coleman medallists kicked first term goals but were well held. Their premiership hopes remain alive, but they will need to find an inspiration from somewhere.