THIS time last year Port Adelaide was on top of the ladder with Geelong second. A year on, the Power and the Cats are both outside the top eight sitting 9th and 10th respectively, each with 5 wins and 5 losses.
 
On the back of convincing wins over the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne, the bookies have Port Adelaide as clear favourite against Geelong. But after clawing the Bombers and keeping Essendon goalless for the first half last weekend, the Cats are brimming with confidence.
 
So, if you fear we’re headed for a hiding at the Adelaide Oval, take a read of this …
 
1. HISTORY IS ON OUR SIDE:
Geelong has dominated Port Adelaide in recent times, winning four of their past five encounters against the Power. The further you dig into the history books the more obvious the Cats dominance becomes. Geelong has squared off with Port on 27 occasions since the Power joined the AFL in 1997, with the Cats winning 18 times to Port’s nine. But the Cats have only played Port Adelaide once at the Adelaide Oval, with the Power victorious by 40 points.
 
2. WIN THE MIDFIELD, YOU WIN THE GAME:
If it were solely down to season average midfield stats the Power would win easily. Port Adelaide leads Geelong in the following categories:
Disposals +15
Clearances: +9
Contested Possessions +8
Tackles +14.
But the Cats numbers against the Bombers were much more impressive, especially in the first half. Geelong must lock down Power skipper Travis Boak who loves playing the Cats, averaging 29 touches in his previous four matches.
 
3. SPEEDY CATS:
 If Saturday night’s Bomber bloodbath taught us anything, it was that our new young breed of Cats are quick! Our defensive pressure was first class, unselfishly hunting in packs to force countless Essendon turnovers. Head to head the Bombers couldn’t match the pace of Steven Motlop, Darcy Lang, Jed Bews, Cory Gregson, Jordan Murdoch and Cam Guthrie. This speed will be essential in matching Power speedsters Chad Wingard and Robbie Gray.
 
4. STEVE JOHNSON HAS THE POWER:
I believe Steve Johnson will prove the difference on Friday night. The brilliant 31 year-old has been the No. 1 ranked player on the field over their last four games against Port Adelaide, averaging 28.8 disposals. Johnson will also be full of confidence coming off a four-goal haul against the Bombers.
 
5. ROAR LIKE A TIGER:
One thing Richmond has proved is that the so-called ‘Portress’ at Adelaide Oval can be conquered. Three weeks ago the Tigers tore the Power apart, crushing Port Adelaide by 33-points. Richmond ruined Kane Cornes’ 300th and final match of his career in front of 45,000 die-hard fans. This week Cats Coach Chris Scott and his team have been poring over the Tigers tactics and will be looking to follow suit and get off to a fast start. And just remember, Geelong beat Richmond by 9-points back in round 5.
 
So, fear not fellow Cats fans, we are in this match with a red-hot chance.
Keep the faith, and as our beloved coach Chris Scott says, we may be in a transition phase but “on our day we can beat anyone, anywhere”.
 
Go Cats!
 
Sean Sowerby – Channel 7 News Weekend Sports Presenter/Reporter
Geelong FC Member