GEELONG has begun this season where it ended the last – with a win over Port Adelaide – but the Cats were made to work hard by a Port side that showed admirable fight at AAMI Stadium.

The Power cut a 37-point deficit just before half time to 17 points at the last change, but could not make inroads in a thrust-and-parry final quarter, with Geelong holding on to win by nine points, 15.15 (105) to to 14.12 (96).

Mathew Stokes and Paul Chapman – who was a key figure early and late – scored three goals each for Geelong, while Brett Ebert led the Power with three.

It was the classic ‘game of two halves’.

The Cats needed less than a quarter to shake off the rust of a long pre-season, overcoming a slow start to kick six goals into a stiff wind in the opening term, with only accuracy keeping Port in touch.

Chapman was everywhere and goals followed to Steve Johnson, Stokes, Cam Mooney, Chapman himself and Ryan Gamble, to take the Cats to a 16-point lead at the first break.

Joel Corey, Chapman and Joel Selwood were influential as Geelong continued its familiar form in the second quarter, running hard and playing on at every opportunity.

Geelong’s sheer dominance was summed up in a moment of brilliance from giant teenager Tom Hawkins, who nonchalantly bagged a banana goal off three steps from deep in the forward pocket 26 minutes into the term.

It seemed 15 other clubs were all being put on notice - Geelong wasn’t beginning a premiership defence, it was launching an all-out premiership attack.

The ominous Cats were missing five of last year’s premiership 22 – including the ruck combination of Brad Ottens (ankle) and Steven King (traded) – but it was making little difference.

Mark Blake (33 games) and Trent West (on debut) didn’t get first touch much against the experienced Port duo of Lade and Dean Brogan (296 games between them), but the Cats led the clearances and dominated the inside 50s throughout the half.

The premiers’ bevy of high class runners meant the Cats didn’t rely on any one player to do the work. Cameron Ling, James Kelly, Selwood, Corey and Chapman all did their part to take the pressure off Gary Ablett and Jimmy Bartel.

The Cats’ score of 10.8 at half time included four posters – about the only factor keeping the Power in the game at that stage.

But, just as comparisons were being drawn with last year’s grand final, Port steeled itself and hit back.

The Power pulled one goal back just before half time, and then two early in the third term – a Daniel Motlop bomb from outside 50, followed by a Lade goal created through a Matt Thomas hip and shoulder that saw the margin pulled back to 22 points.

Chad Cornes slipped forward to good effect as the Power kicked four goals to two for the quarter.

Power coach Mark Williams took his side to the eastern side of AAMI Stadium at the last break to try to draw energy from the crowd in the outer, but it was Gary Ablett who was inspired; a two-bounce goal from 50 in the first minute putting the Cats seemingly back in control. 

But yet again the Power refused to say die. Goals to Shaun Burgoyne – who had a cracking battle with Ling – Chad Cornes and Justin Westhoff were matched by Chapman and Andrew Mackie, as the margin inched closer.

It took a superb effort by Darren Milburn to sprint back and touch Motlop’s shot on the line to finally take the wind from Port’s sails on the cusp of time-on. Motlop added a consolation goal with two minutes on the clock.

The Power kicked 4.7 in the final quarter, with that inaccuracy ultimately costing Port a genuine shot at the game.

Young Cat Ryan Gamble showed deft touch on debut for the Cats, setting up Geelong’s opening goal for Paul Chapman and kicking a goal himself in the first quarter, while Paul Stewart was promising in his first game for Port.

Motlop was reported in the third term after downing Joel Corey, giving away a 50m penalty and a goal in the process.

Defender Josh Hunt sent a scare through the Cats’ camp after twisting his ankle in the third quarter. He left the ground immediately but returned in the final term after receiving an injection.

The Cats have now won their last three games at AAMI Stadium, after winning just three of their first 21 matches at the venue.

Geelong has a 10-day break before meeting Essendon in round two at Telstra Dome, while Port has the same break but must travel to the SCG to play the Sydney Swans.

Geelong             6.4          10.8        12.11     15.15 (105)
Port Adelaide    4.0          6.1          10.5        14.12 (96)

GOALS
Geelong: Stokes 3, Chapman 3, Mooney 2, Ablett, Corey, Gamble, Hawkins, S Johnson, Ling, Mackie
Port Adelaide: Ebert 3, Lade 2, Tredrea 2, Motlop 2, Boak, S Burgoyne, C Cornes, Logan, Westhoff

BEST
Geelong: Corey, Ling, Chapman, Kelly, Selwood, Scarlett
Port Adelaide: C Cornes, K Cornes, Lade, Thomas, Tredrea

INJURIES
Geelong: Hunt (ankle)
Port Adelaide: Tredrea (nosebleed)

Reports: Port Adelaide: Daniel Motlop reported by umpire Rosebury in third quarter for charging Joel Corey

Umpires: Donlon, Rosebury, Avon

Crowd: 28,206 at AAMI Stadium

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.