AFL 2024 round nine LIVE updates: Power hold off fast-finishing Cats to score first win in Geelong since 2007

PORT ADELAIDE 15.11 (101) d GEELONG 14.11 (95)

KEY POINTS

POWER’S EARLY BLITZ DESTROYS CATS
No opposition has crafted an opening quarter at GMHBA Stadium as effective and efficient as the one Port Adelaide managed when they exploded from the blocks, kicking 8.2 (50) to the Cats 3.3 (21). It was the highest opening-quarter score against the Cats at Kardinia Park since Essendon kicked 8.4 (52) in the opening quarter of round 21, 1983. It was also the first time the Cats had conceded eight goals in a quarter at GMHBA Stadium since Hawthorn kicked 8.0 in 1986. It was also the highest quarter score against the Cats in any quarter since 2012. In other words, it was a blitz of epic proportions with Jason Horne-Francis and Zak Butters leading the charge out of the middle. From there the result was a foregone conclusion. The Cats tried hard to force their way back into the game and nearly pulled off a remarkable win, but they never found the lead. Port Adelaide deserved their first win at the venue since 2007.

SO CLOSE BUT SO FAR
As they so often do, the Cats made a brave comeback, but they had too much work to do to reel in a 41-point deficit. Their chances were shot with two minutes remaining when the umpire called back a free kick to Ollie Henry after Jeremy Cameron kicked a goal that would have put the Cats within a point. It was a rare holding-the-ball decision and Henry could only manage a point from the resultant free. It was a shame for the Cats supporters as they had drawn well within striking distance at three-quarter-time when Willie Rioli had a brain fade and gave away a 100-metre penalty that gifted Zach Guthrie a goal. Ollie Dempsey then made the margin just three goals at the final break. Rioli had been brilliant with four goals as did Tyson Stengle ending with four himself. The shift had occurred through an increase in pressure but it also was the move of Jeremy Cameron to the wing and Oisin Mullin stifling Horne-Francis. Tom Stewart also came back into the game. But Port Adelaide controlled the ball and held on well in the final quarter with Mitch Georgiades taking a huge pack mark and kicking the one important goal they needed.

EARLY SUB FOR STANLEY
Such was the domination out of the middle of the ground by Port Adelaide in the first quarter that Geelong coach Chris Scott made the radical change of subbing ruckman Rhys Stanley out of the game before half-time for tactical reasons. The premiership ruckman had been eclipsed by Dante Visentini, who was playing his fourth game. His hitouts to advantage were 4-1 in Visentini’s favour and Port Adelaide had kicked four stoppage goals when the pair were matched up in the ruck. Tom Hawkins also failed to fire in the match with just one goal to break the drought, but he has one more match to break the club’s all-time games record.

KEY STATS

Sydney continues to roll towards another win, one that will improve their position at the top of the ladder given Geelong’s loss to Port Adelaide tonight.

Caleb Serong has 30 touches for the Dockers and Nick Blakey has 25 for the Swans while Will Hayward, a player connected to long-time contract offers from several clubs, has kicked three goals for the Swans.

The Swans are right on top in Perth, keeping the Dockers to only two goals well into the third term, although the home side has 11 behinds so appear to have missed some chances too.

Patrick Voss just saw his shot for goal miss the mark and go for a behind.

Swans 67, Freo 24 with eight mins to go in Q3.

Zak Butters spoke to Seven post-game.

Some tense final moments, no doubt about that. This is a big win, one of the toughest tasks in footy, the Cats and Geelong.

ZB: We knew it would be tough coming out here. We got close last year. We knew it would be competitive and tough. We knew they would come as well, they’re a quality side. Just so proud of the boys, sticking at it. First time since 2007 we’ve won down here. Late on I was yelling out “Let’s create some history”.

Can you believe Travis Boak was in game 10 last time you guys won here?

It’s quite remarkable. We’ve spoken about it a few times previously coming here, trying to get a win here. It builds some belief in the footy club. It is always tough coming down here, probably one of the hardest road trips. The boys really set up for us tonight.

You just spoke about the pride of the group here tonight. To band together, to dig deep, to get it done, you must be really proud tonight.

I’m really proud of the boys, coming off a pretty hostile week in Adelaide, you lose a Showdown. You feel like it is the end of the world. You’ve got to reset. I was happy with a Friday night game. This is probably the closest I get to play to home in Bacchus Marsh. I wanted to put on a show for my mates who drove over here.

The Power roared out to a 40-point lead in the first half and then held on for a tight, rare win over Geelong in Geelong.

It’s their first win in this venue since 2007 and Ken Hinkley is rapt.

The Cats fans are booing. Damned if I know why.

Henry just kicked a point from the boundary.

The draw is now in play.

Power 101, Cats 95 with 90 seconds to go.

It seems over but it is not, completely, over.

Stengle has kicked a goal to cut the lead to seven points.

The Power have been slowing down play, they may well need another goal.

Power 101, Cats 94 with two mins to go.

Port first to 100 points, usually a good indicator that you get the four points.

Power 100, Cats 88 with six mins to go.

Gary Rohan has pulled in a big mark and kicked the goal.

The Cats are withing 11 points with eight mins to go.

Big problem for Geelong is that Jeremy Cameron banged his head on the ground a minute or so ago, he has proven to the medical staff he doesn’t need a concussion test – if they thought he did, his game would be over.

Power 99, Cats 88.

Crowd of 29,942 with 27, 927 of them panicking as the Cats attempt to get back within kicking distance.

They have no margin for error.

Power 99, Cats 82 with eight mins to go.