AFL Finals 2024 Recap: Insipid Port Adelaide succumb to Geelong might in 84-point mauling

Well that was a hiding no matter which way you look at it. Hard to believe Port actually led at one point in the second quarter. But that second half was a steamroll compounded by Zak Butters’ injury.

Patrick Dangerfield had 24 disposals. Cameron had four goals as Max Holmes finishes top with 28 touches.

Not much for Port to grab onto Wines and Rozee were ok but they were so far off the pace a straight set exit could loom with a dangerous Hawthorn or Western Bulldogs awaiting them next week.

It’s a 13th prelim for Geelong in the last 18 years. Incredible stuff.

Ollie Wines keeps one out on the full as the game meanders to a close.

Geelong lead by an incredible 80 points with only inaccuracy keeping below 100.

His set shots have been poor but the three that have gone through have been unreal. This one is just an incredible snap off a step that floats through as the margin goes above 70 points.

He has a fourth shortly after as he finally sneaks a set shot through from 52m.

Patrick Dangerfield is having a rest on the bench and why wouldn’t he with the game well and truly over? Miers kicks his third goal with a spear from just inside 50 on a tight angle. This is Geelong’s biggest-ever score in an interstate final.

GEL 112 PA 52

It comes six minutes into the final term as Jase Burgoyne gets onto the end of a chip from Willie Rioli. Both teams have just put the cue in the rack a little bit with the pressure definitely lowered.

Port cough the ball up at half-back and Patrick Dangerfield beats two Power defenders to send the ball forward to Mannagh. Gryan Miers takes an uncontested mark in the goal square and that’s eight straight for Geelong.

“He copped one in his ribs in the second quarter and was struggling to get the air in, and the decision was made to take him off,”

“We’ve just got to re-set and play the game out.”

Brad Close misses a set shot after the siren but what a demoralising quarter of football from Port Adelaide. Butters went out and the team collapsed as a 20-point deficit became 65 points at three-quarter time. Just the two behinds from the Power and realistically only some poor accuracy is preventing the margin from being close to 100.

But there’s still a quarter to go as the Cats look to make a massive statement ahead of their preliminary final in a fortnight’s time.

Rozee is caught holding 10m out from Geelong’s goal and that sums up the night for the Power. Mannagh gets the free and kicks his third goal as the game continues to drift.