Geelong have held off an undermanned Port Adelaide for an exciting 12-point win to breathe life again into their AFL premiership defence.
Ollie Henry kicked a career-high 4 objectives and Gryan Miers was inventive ahead of centre within the 14.13 (97) to 12.13 (85) victory at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night time.
It put the Cats again into the highest eight on share forward of Carlton, who’ve a sport in hand.
Off-season recruit Henry starred early, with 4 objectives to his title by the opening minutes of the second quarter, whereas Miers (24 disposals) kicked two objectives and had a direct hand in 5 others.
Experienced weapons Isaac Smith (22 disposals, one aim) and Patrick Dangerfield (20, one) have been additionally influential and key defensive pair Tom Stewart and Esava Ratugolea stood up in defence.
Port Adelaide’s fourth straight defeat left their top-two spot in jeopardy and got here amid a raft of accidents and sicknesses.
The Power made six pressured modifications, with Jeremy Finlayson and Miles Bergman (each sickness) late withdrawals earlier than shedding Trent McKenzie to a knee harm within the opening 10 minutes.
It acquired worse when Todd Marshall, essential within the absence of fellow tall forwards Finlayson and Charlie Dixon (foot) and Finlayson, jogged off earlier than quarter-time after hitting his head on the bottom in a diving try and mark.
Power officers had come beneath intense scrutiny over their botched administration of Aliir Aliir’s concussion protocols and took no dangers with Marshall, sending him downstairs for additional evaluation.
Marshall was cleared to return and kicked a pair of vital objectives from sturdy marks both facet of three-quarter time.
The second put Port in entrance early within the ultimate time period however Geelong completed stronger, kicking 4 of the final 5 objectives.
Midfield stars Zak Butters (30 disposals, one aim) and Connor Rozee (27 touches) have been sensible for Port and Willie Rioli completed with 4 objectives, whereas Sam Powell-Pepper kicked three.
Both sides took benefit of good situations in a free-scoring first quarter as Rioli and Henry booted three objectives apiece.
Henry’s third sailed by means of after the quarter-time siren to provide the Cats a 44-31 lead on the first break.
Henry’s purple patch continued with the primary aim of the second time period and Geelong prolonged their benefit to 17 factors by halftime.
An excellent Powell-Pepper snap sparked Port early within the third quarter and so they gained confidence as they piled on 4 objectives to 1 for the time period.
Marshall put them in entrance and the lead modified arms six occasions earlier than the Cats gained the arm wrestle between two determined sides in a tricky ultimate quarter.
Jeremy Cameron kicked two objectives for Geelong and Mitch Duncan (one) was vital in assault.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
