GEELONG has staved off Port Adelaide's best efforts to spoil its 10-year premiership party, winning by two points in an absorbing contest at Simonds Stadium on Thursday night.

With just over a minute-and-a-half on the clock, Cats superstar Patrick Dangerfield kicked a brilliant goal on his left boot, narrowly avoiding the outstretched hand of Port's Darcy Byrne-Jones to lead his side to an 11.15 (81) to 11.13 (79) victory.

Full match details and stats

As the Power surged the ball forward in the dying stages of the match, Robbie Gray just fumbled his marking attempt in a one-on-one battle with young Cat Tom Stewart before Geelong managed to clear the area and cling on to a narrow win.

A controversial umpiring decision in the fourth quarter cost Port Adelaide dearly, when big forward Charlie Dixon was ruled to have taken too long over a set shot for goal and was forced to play on.

Cats skipper Joel Selwood had a hand in Dangerfield's game-winner as he attempted to inch the ball forward with a kick out of congestion and his efforts in that moment underlined what was a colossal performance.

The captain led from the front with 33 disposals (19 contested), six clearances and eight inside 50s, gritting his teeth as the Power looked to be getting on top after half time.

Five talking points: Geelong v Port Adelaide

Mitch Duncan continued his fine season, with the Cats midfielder rediscovering his power running, to finish the game with 31 touches and 16 handball receives.

Dangerfield booted three goals, but was reasonably well held (until the final moments of the game, at least) for 24 disposals.

After having just three disposals in a quiet first quarter, Port star Robbie Gray sprung to life after the first break to change the complexion of the game.

WATCH Last two minutes: Cats v power

Playing as a deep forward for almost the entire game, Gray booted three goals and was credited with three direct assists as the Power steadily worked their way back into the contest.

Port ruckman Paddy Ryder encapsulated his side's ability to turn the game after quarter time, registering 31 hit-outs to give his side the ascendancy around the clearances (40-32).

Jared Polec was the Power's best player across the four quarters, gathering 29 disposals and an outstanding goal from deep on the boundary line to give the Power a one-point lead at the 17-minute mark of the final term.

Young gun Sam Powell-Pepper's strength around the footy was also noteworthy, particularly his ability to fend off opposition players, with the young midfielder displaying his talent in the game to kick off Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round.

In a game of extraordinary ebbs and flows, there were eight lead changes to three-quarter time and 10 for the match before Geelong eventually got on top as the death knell sounded.

Geelong dominated the territory battle early in the game, recording 18 inside 50s to Port Adelaide's eight in the first term alone.

Keeping the ball trapped in its forward half had been an area Geelong had struggled in earlier in the season, while the Power came into the game ranked No.1 in the AFL for forward half differential.

 

The Cats could not capitalise on their early control as they booted an inaccurate 1.5 – the exception being Zach Tuohy's long-range bomb from outside 50 – in the first quarter.

"[We were] dominating the game and not taking our chances which is a real risk against any team but especially against a quality team like [Port Adelaide]," Cats coach Scott said.

The Power, on the other hand, scored three goals from their eight entries in the first term, making the most of a couple of terrible turnovers across half-back.

From the moment, Port Adelaide forward Charlie Dixon laid out Geelong skipper Joel Selwood with a heavy hit early in the second term the Cats sparked into action.

It certainly fired up superstar Patrick Dangerfield who kicked two goals to open the second term, as Geelong booted five majors for the term.

However, despite having eight less inside 50s, 43 less disposals and 14 less uncontested marks than the Cats, Port's ability to steady in the middle of the ground left it just eight points in arrears at the major break.

"There was a willingness to compete and credit to the opposition too, they had a willingness to compete early," Power coach Ken Hinkley said. 

"They were on their home deck, they had a bit going on (the premiership reunion) but I was proud of our boys for staying at it and turning the game."

With members of Geelong's 2007 premiership side watching on from a corporate box, Dangerfield's late heroics changed the mood of the crowd and so began the party to celebrate the club's drought-breaking flag win.

MEDICAL ROOM
Geelong: Jed Bews copped a significant corkie in his hamstring after an inadvertent boot from Sam Powell-Pepper in the third quarter. The Cats medical staff strapped his thigh and got him on the bike. Bews returned to the field soon after and there is no doubt over the defender for next week. Harry Taylor was in a bad way when he copped a stray poke to the eye in the fourth term. Taylor went down the race to receive treatment, but Scott downplayed any concerns: "He just got a poke in the eye. He's all good."

Port Adelaide: The Power did not suffer any noteworthy injuries with coach Ken Hinkley confirming that fact after the match.

NEXT UP: Geelong has its third-straight game at Simonds Stadium when it takes on Adelaide at the Cattery next Friday night. Port Adelaide has another Thursday night game next week, this time against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval.

GEELONG                  1.5       6.8       9.14    11.15 (81)
PORT ADELAIDE      3.1       5.6       9.9       11.13 (79)

GOALS
Geelong: Dangerfield 3, Tuohy, Hawkins, Menzel, Menegola, Motlop, S.Selwood, Parsons, Blicavs
Port Adelaide: R.Gray 3, S.Gray, Young, Westhoff, Ah Chee, Dixon, Powell-Pepper, Ryder, Polec

BEST 
Geelong: J.Selwood, Duncan, Tuohy, Dangerfield, Menegola, Bews, Blicavs
Port Adelaide: Polec, Wines, Ryder, Powell-Pepper, Westhoff

INJURIES 
Geelong: Taylor (eye)
Port Adelaide: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Schmitt, Kamolins, Mollison

Official crowd: 24,909 at Simonds Stadium