Voice of The Outer: Round 9 preview

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May 24, 2007

Round 9 preview

Port Adelaide v Geelong
AAMI Stadium
Sunday, 4.40pm

Squads:

Port Adelaide
B: Pettigrew Wakelin Surjan
HB: Lonie Thurstans Cassisi
C: Salopek S Burgoyne K Cornes
HF: Motlop White P Burgoyne
F: Lade Tredrea Ebert
FOLL: Brogan C Cornes Rover: Pearce
INTER: From: Bentley Boak DeLuca Krakouer Rodan Symes Thomas
IN: Boak Deluca Krakouer Surjan
OUT: Mahoney

Geelong
B: Enright Scarlett Mackie
HB: J Hunt Egan Milburn
C: Wojcinski Bartel Kelly
HF: Selwood N Ablett S Johnson
F: G Ablett Mooney Varcoe
FOLL: Ottens Corey Rover: Ling
INTER: From: Blake Rooke Stokes Tenace Harley Hawkins Prismall
IN: Harley Prismall Hawkins Mackie
OUT: D Johnson (calf)

Last 5 encounters:

R15 2006 Geelong 9.14 (68) d Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) Skilled Stadium
R16 2005 Geelong 18.18 (126) d Port Adelaide 7.5 (47) Skilled Stadium
R5 2005 Geelong 15.9 (99) d Port Adelaide 15.5 (95) AAMI Stadium
QF 2004 Port Adelaide 18.9 (117) d Geelong 9.8 (62) AAMI Stadium
R10 2004 Port Adelaide 18.8 (116) d Geelong 17.10 (112) AAMI Stadium

Betting:

Port Adelaide $1.75, Geelong $2.00

catempire’s clips:

• Geelong won the previous encounter between these two teams at AAMI, Geelong’s only win against the Power at the venue.

• Port haven’t beaten Geelong since the Qualifying final of 2004 – the year in which Port went on to win the flag.

• The two teams are playing for 2nd place on the ladder.

"We try and make it (going interstate) meaningless. It's a game of footy, on a bit of grass, 18-on-18 on the field at one time, and play to your potential." - Mark Thompson

The football world is becoming increasingly familiar with abrasive responses to seemingly innocuous questions from Mark Thompson.

The question here probed Thompson about the importance of the woeful interstate record Geelong will take to AAMI Stadium this round to against Port Adelaide.

But aside from his impatience with the media, Bomber must be happy with how his side is traveling. A near record score against the hapless Tigers, a coming-of-age victory against firm flag favourites West Coast and a gritty win against the Dockers have been the making of this.

But this is a new week and a new test.

While the Power have surprised all with their climb up the ladder to second position, the Cats in third place still have more than their fair share of doubters. And it's not without good reason. Geelong has earned a reputation as the most frustrating to follow, both for avid fans and for punters and tipsters. The past few weeks have made inroads into arresting that view, but this week's match presents another opportunity for the Cats to earn respect.

The Cats have named skipper Tom Harley on the extended interchange bench. Andrew Mackie has walked straight back into the 18 after missing last week with knee soreness. While David Johnson has succumb to a calf injury. On the other side, Josh Mahoney has been omitted.

The wide open spaces of AAMI will pose a challenge a challenge to Geelong as the Power have proven to be a fast and skillful side in the first 8 rounds, with the Burgoynes and Pearce leading the charge. Cameron Ling will likely get another key job on one of those three, while another Cat - possibly Joel Corey - will also play the shadow. For Port, Kane Cornes will look to negate a red-hot Jimmy Bartel.

Port was found wanting against Sydney on Sunday so will be looking to bounce back this week at home.

But Geelong's form can't be faulted and they appear to have a resolve that can take them places. If they are the real deal they will win this match taking better form going into the match.

Geelong by 8 points

Posted by catempire at May 24, 2007 10:48 PM