Photo Gallery: Power vs Cats
The Power were challenged early and trailed at quarter time, but a seven goal to one second term - led by Travis Boak - blew the game wide apart, opening up a 39-point lead at the major break.
Boak and Dom Cassisi dominated the midfield winning more than 10 clearances combined, with great service from the returning Dean Brogan, who had over 20 hitouts.
The Power got much needed time into the legs of Brogan, Steven Salopek, Hamish Hartlett and David Rodan, who all played their first game for the year - the latter vital in the early stages with six clearances.
Pleasingly for Port Adelaide fans, all four got through the game unscathed and are likely to see more game time in week four of the NAB Challenge against GWS at Willaston next Saturday. Rodan particularly, impressed in his return from LARS surgery, with 19 touches and seven inside 50s, displaying just how vital he is to the Power's midfield.
The home side completely outplayed the Cats for much of the game, racking up a massive dominance in the disposal count (417-317) and going inside 50 a whopping 73 times to Geelong's 32. See below for a more detailed wrap of possessions and goalkickers.
Port Adelaide's pressure in the forward half was relentless, causing a number of turnovers in its own attacking half and creating a host of scoring opportunities from these turnovers. Were it not for some inaccurate kicking - Jay Schulz, Robbie Gray and Daniel Motlop all kicked three behinds - the score line could have been even more one-sided.
Jackson Trengove patrolled the backline with maturity, Paul Stewart spent more time playing up the ground on the wing than in 2010 and Jarrad Irons was again impressive in just his third game in Power colours. Irons, who is still on the rookie list, showed composure beyond his years, rarely wasting a disposal as he rotated through the midfield and half forward. With Matthew Lobbe on the long term injury list, Irons will be pressing for a berth on the senior list by Round 1.
Steven Salopek slotted back in with ease, cruising around the wing and hitting targets across half forward with his sublime foot skills - a welcome sight for the 4,110 at AAMI Stadium.
Port Adelaide 19.21 (135)
Geelong 7.9 (51)
Best: Boak, Cassisi, Salopek, Irons, Brogan, Trengove
Goals: D. Stewart 3, Salopek, Pearce, Boak, Broadbent 2, Cassisi, Gray, Irons, P. Stewart, D. Motlop, J. Westhoff, Schulz, Hartlett
Stats:
Travis Boak 28 disposoals (19 kicks, 9 handballs), 5 clearances, 11 inside 50s
Kane Cornes 25 disposals (11 kicks, 14 handballs)
Steven Salopek 25 disposals (14 kicks, 11 handballs), 6 marks
Jackson Trengove 23 disposals (11 kicks, 12 handballs), 8 marks
Jarrad Irons 22 disposals (12 kicks, 10 handballs)
Dom Cassisi 20 disposals (8 kicks, 12 handballs), 7 hard ball gets, 5 clearances
Paul Stewart 20 disposals (9 kicks, 11 handballs), 10 marks
Robbie Gray 19 disposals (9 kicks, 10 handballs), 6 marks, 4 clearances
David Rodan 19 disposals (11 kicks, 8 handballs), 6 clearances, 7 inside 50s
Danyle Pearce 18 disposals (12 kicks, 7 handballs), 6 inside 50s
Crowd: 4,110 at AAMI Stadium
