IF GEELONG hasn't put Port Adelaide away by three-quarter time of their semi-final clash at the MCG on Friday night, coach Chris Scott will have reason to be worried.
A breakdown of quarter-by-quarter scoring shows the Cats are the worst finishers of the remaining six finalists.
They have won only nine of 23 fourth quarters in 2013, including just one in the past five games.
By contrast, the Power have become known as final term specialists.
Ken Hinkley's young team has won 16 fourth quarters this season, and what's more, has come from behind at three-quarter time to steal victory four times – the equal-most of any team (alongside Essendon).
This week, Hinkley credited Port Adelaide's ability to run out matches to a big summer under fitness guru Darren Burgess, combined with a strong sense of self-belief.
This week, Hinkley credited Port Adelaide's ability to run out matches to a big summer under fitness guru Darren Burgess, combined with a strong sense of self-belief.
"[Our players] are definitely very fit, and I think psychologically they believe it, there's no doubt about that," Hinkley said on Melbourne radio station 3AW.
"They've had to challenge themselves that many times throughout the year that they now know that there's a little bit more to it than just the mind – they've actually got the miles in the legs."
Although their fourth quarters have been poor, the Cats have often had the luxury of not needing to push hard right through to the final siren, because the result has already been secured.
Although their fourth quarters have been poor, the Cats have often had the luxury of not needing to push hard right through to the final siren, because the result has already been secured.
Scott's men have done their best work in the third quarter – known as the 'premiership quarter' – winning 18 of 23.
No other team can match that record.
The Power have often come out sluggish after the main break, winning only nine third quarters.
The weekend's other semi-final, between the Sydney Swans and Carlton at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, will pit a fast starter against another strong finisher.
The Swans have been masters of getting to the lead early.
They have been behind at three-quarter time only five times this season, the fewest of any team.
However, they did not come back to win any of those games, and have won only 10 fourth quarters in total.
The Blues, meanwhile, have crawled out of the blocks, winning just two of 12 quarters before half-time in their past six outings.
But Mick Malthouse's team has made up for that by firing up in the third quarter, which it has won 15 times for the year.
Awaiting this weekend's winners in the preliminary final will be two clubs who have proven almost impossible to wear down.
Minor premier Hawthorn has won 18 fourth quarters this year, including 16 of its past 18, while Fremantle has won 10 of 12 second-half quarters in its past six games.
Statistics courtesy of Champion Data
