GEELONG TOO GOOD FOR PORT ADELAIDE
Justin Kremmer 24 March 2008

By Justin Kremmer THE Grand Final re-match at AAMI Stadium on Thursday night promised a typical Round One hit-out between now rivals Geelong and Port Adelaide. Both teams had declared during the off-season the last time they met, less than six months ago on the main stage, was done and dusted and from the first bounce this was a new season.

A new page could be written. Yet, the humiliation and upset of Port fans could be somewhat resolved by a respectable performance, a contrast to the 119-point loss. Geelong, however, had come simply to win the points and win they did, indeed, by nine points in their first away game for the year.

Link: 2008 SEASON DRAW GEELONG DRAW [HTML]

GEELONG 6.4 (40) 10.8 (68) 12.11 (83) 15.15 (105) DEFEATED
PORT ADELAIDE 4.0 (24) 6.1 (37) 10.6 (66) 14.12 (96)

GOALS
GEELONG: Stokes 3, Chapman 3, Mooney 2, Johnson, Chapman, Gamble, Ling, Hawkins, Corey, Ablett, Mackie
PORT ADELAIDE: Ebert 3, Lade 2, Tredrea 2, Motlop 2, Logan, Boak, S.Burgoyne, C.Cornes, Westhoff

BEST
GEELONG: Kelly, Corey, Enright, Ling, Ablett, Selwood, Milburn, Chapman
PORT ADELAIDE: Lade, K.Cornes, K.Cornes, P.Burgoyne, K.Cornes, Salopek, Cassisi

The Cats needn’t prove any more to their fans how great Gary Ablett has become in the last three seasons or how classy and calm under pressure Jimmy Bartel and Joel Selwood are, especially with the ball in their hands. Or show that the excellent replacement for Nathan Ablett is the man-child body frame of Tom Hawkins. No, if the first game is anything to go by, season 2008 is about giving the team the best chance to win games, by playing each player’s part and beating your opponent. The players will naturally look special.

Port’s Chad Cornes, Peter Burgoyne and Kane Cornes never gave up after the Cats took a strong lead early into the game. Warren Tredrea was near his best in the first half for the Power and had troubled the backline, before Tom Harley’s presence became an even bigger frustration alongside Darren Milburn who were outstanding.

Quiet achiever Joel Corey was not trying to prove anything to anyone when he played his role of working hard in the midfield, delivering the ball on numerous occasions to the forwards. Corey’s involvement in the linkage handballs with Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett and James Kelly set the standard as Geelong moved the ball at a blistering speed. Corey Enright played an attacking role that paid off as Port were unable to conquer the magic pace controlled by the Cats midfielders.

Paul Chapman was at his all-time best, kicking two magnificent typical-Chappy type goals. Running hard at the ball and not slowing down with an opponent standing in his way, Chapman kicked a snap truly that gave the Cats the early lead. Gary Ablett kicked a magical goal, where he ran to the fifty metre line side-stepping Port players in their attempts to stop him. The kick curved back, though it was never going to miss, and summed up Port Adelaide’s night.

The lead had tightened after half time with Geelong taking the foot off the accelerator in the third quarter. Tom Hawkins kicked an important goal and gave a smile matched by the many delighted fans. Cam Mooney was given a couple of poor decisions including not being given a goal that was clearly misread by the goal umpire. Yet the Big Hairy Cat didn’t lose his cool. He did do a legitimate bump early in the first quarter that shows he has not lost his fierceness, and is still disciplined. Mooney, Steve Johnson and Ryan Gamble were impressive in the forward line.

Look for next week against the Bombers:
B. Ottens to return and give Mark Blake the support he missed, after having to do the main job Thursday night.
Max Rooke to add to the strength of the Cat’s defence.
Brent Prismall is a good chance to take Kane Tenace’s position after being unlucky to miss the season opener.