Geelong and Port Adelaide will both look to push their case for a top four spot when they meet on Thursday night at Simonds Stadium.
Both of these sides have impressed at time but have also copped three losses so far this year. The Cats are 6-3, while Port are 5-3, having had the bye last week.
Geelong started off the season with five straight wins, followed by three straight losses, before a victory over the Western Bulldogs last week. They were criticised during their string of losses for not putting in enough of a physical, defensive effort, but turned that around to break tackling records against the Dogs. It was great to see that they can play footy in that kind of way, but now the question has to be asked if it will leave them tired for this week’s game.
Port Adelaide on their other hand come into this one very well rest having had the week off to recover from their trip to China. They were dominant over the Gold Coast Suns in Shanghai, recording a comfortable win by a margin of 12 goals. It followed a trend of big-margin wins that has seen Port claim the highest percentage of any team so far this year. However, they have played three top-four sides and lost to them all. Geelong, the only top four side they haven’t played, represents an opportunity to take a real scalp.
The Cats have brought Cam Guthrie and Darcy Lang into their side this week and will debut Jordan Cunico. Mark O’Connor has been dropped, Nakia Cockatoo will miss through injury, and Tom Lonergan will be managed.
Port have only one change, with Chad Wingard to miss through a calf concern, replaced by Aaron Young.
It’s a very hard match to call – Port have the advantage of extra rest, Geelong have the home ground, both teams are missing a key player or two.
Port at $2.22 represent the better value in what ultimately looks like a very even match-up that could go either way.