AFL Finals Preview: Port Adelaide vs Geelong Cats
It is shaping up to be one epic finals series this season and it all kicks off Thursday night down at the Adelaide Oval as the Port faithful are looking to cheer their beloved team into a preliminary final berth.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the hosts this week as concerns mounted around one of their best, Zak Butters, who is dealing with an eye infection. Butters was relieved of his media duties on Monday at Alberton by fellow teammate and captain of the club Connor Rozee;
“I actually have not spoken to him [Butters] directly but from all reports, I think he is fine, I am sure, he is sure, he is going to be fine for this week,” Connor stated.
Port went out in straight sets in last year’s final series after finishing the regular season in 3rd position, not too dissimilar to their 2nd place finish this year. Power skipper Connor Rozee believes the team are far better equipped this time around and are looking to make a deep run in this year’s finals campaign.
“We’re in a great spot as a team at the moment, and I certainly think our finals experience of last year, and even years’ prior will hold us in good stead,” Rozee suggested.
The last time these two sides played was a thriller. At GHMBA Stadium, the Power got off to a flying start, which saw them set up a substantial lead at half-time, 12.5 to 5.6, a 41 point lead. This before the Cats really showed something in the last half to fall just short, losing out by six points.
The Cats will look to quell the influence of some of Port’s top liners. Last time out, players such as Jason Horne-Francis, Zak Butters and Connor Rozee tore the Cats midfield apart, especially in the first half. The Cats will look to counter and start well;
“We need to settle our nerves and play with calmness and composure. It’s going to be a good battle in there [the midfield],” Geelong’s Mark Blicavs said.
The game will be won through the midfield. Pay attention to how well the Cats can counter attack and stop the severe influence that the Power midfielders can have on the game.
Team News
Port Adelaide:
Ins: Charlie Dixon, Quinton Narkle
Outs: Kane Farrell (injury), Dante Visentini
Ken Hinkley made comment earlier today around the significant presence Charlie Dixon provides for his side;
“We’re really confident about what Charlie brings to our football team and he’s really important. I’ve said that plenty of times. We’ve got great confidence in him and he’s a real presence.”
On the flip side the Cats surprisingly have gone into tomorrow night’s game unchanged, leaving the likes of Sam De Koning out of their line up. This will make for an interesting watch tomorrow night to whether or not that was the right call.
Expect to see a fierce contest early in the piece with the Cats to come out firing. Geelong will have an emphasis and a belief that if they can stop the damage that the Power midfield can have on a game. Then they are well within a shot of upsetting the Power at home.
Our prediction: The Power too good for a longer period of game time. Port winners on opening night of the 2024 AFL finals series by 23 points.
Our attendance prediction: A big game for the city of Adelaide, once again expect to see 51,238 people in attendance.