CATS SHUT DOWN POWER
Ben Jensen 24 April 2016

AFL ROUND 5 2016: PORT ADELAIDE POWER V GEELONG CATS GEELONG were pushed in the first quarter but after some fireworks just after the quarter-time siren that is sure to attract AFL Match Review Panel attention if not sanctions put in a dominant display, a six goal to nil second term setting up the 48-point win. The win puts the Cats in fourth position on the ladder with four wins from five games with a healthy percentage of just under 150%. There were many contenders for best on ground, the official award on the night on ANZAC Day weekend going to skipper Joel Selwood. Patrick Dangerfield, Steve Motlop and Dan Menzel also put in great games from the midfield.

Dangerfield and Selwood were both superb and attracted plenty of physical attention from the Power players at times losing their cool. Port's Tom Jonas caused the melee when he torpedoed into Dangerfield's back in what was either a clumsy attempt at disguising his actions as a marking attempt or just stupidity after the quarter time siren rang. The melee continued for a minute and appeared to be finished when another player flattened Tom Ruggles sparking it all again. We don't expect any striking charges but would not be surprised if both clubs are handed fines. Selwood exchanged contact with Jackson Trengove in the second quarter, both will be under the microscope of the MRP.

Tom Hawkins put in a commanding performance though only kicked the one goal, taking a great tumbling grab on a lead in a forward pocket in the second half, sharing a grin with the crowd before calmly slotting it through with a left-foot banana kick. Shane Kersten kicked two good goals and should hold his spot while Lincoln McCarthy likewise appears to have secured his position in the side for the time being making it difficult for Nathan Vardy to force his way into the forward line from the VFL. Vardy will also not be pushing it uphill to unseat either of ruckmen Zac Smith or Rhys Stanley who finishing with 47 hitouts between them.

Mitch Duncan, Josh Caddy, Menzel and Motlop, a couple years younger than Selwood or Dangerfield all had good games and should they stay injury free will set the Cats up to go deep into September. Corey Enright who was rested last week was reading the ball as well as always as he chases down the club games record. Fellow veteran Jimmy Bartel started off slow but still finished with 20 disposals.

Next week the Cats play host Gary Ablett and his Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night at Simonds Stadium. Ken Hinkley's boys play the similarly disappointing Richmond at the MCG at the same time. Gold Coast started off with three wins but have lost their past two, both home games, against Brisbane and North Melbourne. The Cats would have to start strong favourites in this match.

GEELONG: 1.4, 7.5, 12.9, 16.11 (107) DEFEATED
PORT ADELAIDE: 5.4, 5.6, 7.9, 8.11 (59)

GOALS
GEELONG: Menzel 3, Dangerfield, McCarthy, Kersten 2, Selwood, Stanley, Guthrie, Hawkins, Motlop, Cockatoo, Caddy
PORT ADELAIDE: Dixon 3, Wines 2, Broadbent, Amon, Ebert

BEST
GEELONG: Selwood, Dangerfield, Menzel, Motlop, Stanley, Blicavs
PORT ADELAIDE: Boak, Wines, Byrne-Jones, Pittard

INJURIES
GEELONG: Nil
PORT ADELAIDE: Nil

REPORTS: Nil (but keep an eye on the MRP report on Monday)

UMPIRES: Dagleish, Kamolins, Hosking

CROWD: 44,937 at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide