Head to head: Geelong 12 wins, Port Adelaide eight wins, one draw
Last time: Geelong 18.14 (122) d Port Adelaide 13.10 (88), round 13, 2009 at Skilled Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Geelong
Mitch Brown (leg) - 2-4 weeks
Josh Cowan (ankle) - test
Cameron Ling (ribs) - available
Brad Ottens (knee) - test
Darren Milburn (hamstring) - available
Steven Motlop (shoulder) - 12 weeks
Matthew Scarlett (back) - test
Jesse Stringer (groin) - test
Travis Varcoe (thumb) - 4-6 weeks
Port Adelaide
Dean Brogan (shoulder soreness) - test
John Butcher (back) - indefinite
Robbie Gray (back/hamstring) - test
Daniel Motlop (hamstring) - 3-4 weeks
Marlon Motlop (fractured foot) - indefinite
Jay Schulz (knee bruising) - test
Matthew Westhoff (groin) - 2-3 weeks
FORM
Geelong: WWL
Port Adelaide: WWL
SUMMARY
Both sides succumbed to losses in round three after impressive starts to the season.
An undermanned Geelong suffered a rare defeat at the hands of an in-form Fremantle, going down by seven points in a thriller at Subiaco, while the Power hit a wall against the Jonathan Brown-led Brisbane Lions.
Port Adelaide should be bolstered by the return of midfielder David Rodan just 16 weeks after having successful LARS surgery on his injured knee, but it wasn’t a lack of personnel that cost Mark Williams’ men last weekend.An undermanned Geelong suffered a rare defeat at the hands of an in-form Fremantle, going down by seven points in a thriller at Subiaco, while the Power hit a wall against the Jonathan Brown-led Brisbane Lions.
The Power laid just 44 tackles against the Lions, compared to an average of 86 in the opening two rounds against North Melbourne and West Coast.
The Cats are also poised to regain some big-name players, with bookends Matthew Scarlett and Cam Mooney, and also Brad Ottens, Darren Milburn and Max Rooke all likely to play.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Star midfielder Paul Chapman did everything in his power to drag Geelong over the line against Fremantle. Chapman managed just one goal in the opening two rounds, but slotted three from 28 disposals in a dominant display at Subiaco. The reigning Norm Smith medallist also laid an equal game-high nine tackles and is likely to attract close attention on Sunday.
Power onballer Steven Salopek signalled his return to form against the Lions, finishing with 28 disposals and two goals. The former first-round draft pick averaged 30 possessions a game before dislocating his shoulder in round seven last season and only needs a clear run with injury to establish himself as one of the better midfielders in the competition.
QUESTION MARKS
How will Geelong pull up after a gruelling trip to Subiaco? The Power appeared flat after completing the same road trip against West Coast, but the Cats’ fatigue could be countered by the return of some key players.
Can Port Adelaide match it with a genuine top-four side? The Power blamed a lack of intensity and enthusiasm for their loss to the Lions, but could it simply be that their young side is not yet good enough to compete with the best teams in the competition?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Cats will be shooting for a record 24th-straight win at the Cattery on Sunday.
Port Adelaide was the last team to beat Geelong at home back in round 21, 2007, but it’s hard to see the visitors repeating the does against a near-full strength Cats’ line-up this weekend.
PREDICTION
Geelong by 30 points
Follow Jason Phelan's inside view of Geelong v Port Adelaide at #aflcatspower on Twitter.com from 1.10pm Sunday or @AFL_JasonPhelan#aflcatspower
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
