AFL: Port Adelaide vs Geelong Preview

After an incredible AFL home and away season, another season with COVID-19 disruptions, disrupted fixtures, limited crowd numbers across most states and some games without crowds again, we are down to the final eight teams for 2021. After all the drama, the die has been cast for an incredible finals series

It comes down to eight teams, two will be gone at the end of this weekend. But excitement is starting to build. So sit back and enjoy what looks to be an intriguing first week of 2021 AFL finals action. Best of luck to all eight teams, let's preview the games.

port adelaide vs geelong

Port Adelaide will take on Geelong on Friday night at Adelaide oval, in what looks an intriguing, repeat of last years qualifying final between these two sides. Port have come in second, following a late season surge to win their last six games of the season. This included a thriller against the Western Bulldogs last Friday night, where after they trailed all night, and only kicked one goal for the first half. They would hit back in the second half, with Robbie Grey kicking the winning goal late, as Port claimed second spot, with a 17-5 record.

Geelong have had another incredible season, coming in third place with 16 wins and five losses. Geelong cost themselves the minor premiership, after they blew a 44-point lead against Melbourne, with Max Gawn kicking the winning goal after the final siren.

Last time these teams met, Geelong outclassed Port in the end by 21-points in round 13 at Adelaide Oval. With Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron kicking nine goals between them. But no one will forget when these sides met in last years qualifying final, how inaccuracy cost Geelong, as they kicked 5.12.42, and Port were able to qualify for the preliminary final with a 16-point victory.

key players

Port - Travis Boak,Connor Rozee, Robbie Grey, Ollie Wines.

Charlie Dixon will want to have more of an impact this week. This season he has averaged 2.1 per game and will want to help hit the scoreboard for Port.

Geelong - Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron, Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield, Isaac Smith, Cameron Guthrie.

prediction

Geelong will be feeling pretty hungry after surrendering that lead to Melbourne last week, they will also be desperate to avenge not only the qualifying final defeat against Port from last year, but to make it back to another grand final this year after coming runners up last year. If Port cannot stop the influence of Hawkins, Cameron, Dangerfield and Selwood, they will have a hard time getting over the line. Port will have the home crowd behind them, but I do feel Geelong are the stronger side overall.

Cats by 25 points.