2009 NAB Cup Game Notes – Geelong Cats vs Port Adelaide Power

Sure there have been knocks on the preseason cup, but one thing is for sure, watching Geelong is a treat (even when they are only fielding a skeleton of their premiership team).

A rematch of the 2007 grand final was heightened by the fact that Port Adelaide were coming in with the aim to measure its improvement against the leagues yard stick in Geelong. And for a good thee quarters and a bit they were neck and neck with the Cats, but in the end Geelong just had too much class winning by three goals (72-54).

For the full match reports check out the Herald Sun and Afl.com.au

For full match statistics check out Afl.com.au

For full Dream Team stats check out Fan Footy

Now let’s cover some tid bits of the game you might have missed:

Geelong were without usual suspects in Gary Ablett (resting), Joel Corey and Matthew Scarlett (still returning from injury), while they added first gamer Nathan Djerrkura (Wanderers FC – Darwin) and Kane Tenace (returning from injury).

Port Adelaide were boasting both Cornes brothers in the attack, and that they were ready for a full speed hit out, but were still without their other brother combo in the Burgoynes.

The latest zoning tactics made popular by Hawthorn last year were in full force during this game, and it has become evident just how much zones will be present in the 2009 (it has become the flood of the next decade…or at least until something else comes along). This game looked more like a rugby scrum at times than the football we have become accustomed to, particularly from Geelong, over the last few years.

Both coaches had plenty to say about it after the match:

Bomber Thompson:

The zone game is really hard. We practise it at training. It’s just like you don’t see anything, and that’s why the boys were turning the ball over. It’s going to take a bit of getting used to, but it’s like many things in football — it will probably hang around for a while and then we will work a way of getting through it easy.

Choco Williams:

To beat those zones, you are either taking high-risk, short kicks through the midfield,” Williams said. “You are going right around the outside. Someone is trying to kick 90 metres over the top or run it through … they are the methods; everyone tries to partly do all of them.

Jimmy Bartel was all too happy to pick up all the slack for the Cats with Ablett out (which he has consistently shown ability to do). It is a nice luxury to be able to sit the best player in the game and not really miss much of a beat.

Statistically Port had more chances inside 50, more hard-ball gets, loose-ball gets and contested marks. As is typical these days it was just the skill that came out in the end – Geelong’s ability to finish was enough to get them over the line.

Matty Stokes finally did something with the game in the balance, as opposed to his usual running up the scores in junk time, notching 3 goals in the final quarter to tip the Cats over the edge.

Dream Team Watch

Jimmy Bartel ($501k) – Bartel vs Ablett, Jimmy vs Gary, Get them both? Ahhh fuck knows – 30 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 goal (118)

Joel Selwood ($404k) – One of the all time biggest arguments on Big Footy, Selwood vs Gibbs, has been made bolder as they are now one of the biggest DT arguments going into 2009 – 18 touches, 4 tackles (65)

Andrew Mackie ($403k) – So many options from the Cats, with the men up back trying to tease you away from other teams stars. Do you go with Geelong because they get so much of it, or do you stick with the best players on a lesser team? – 13 posies (40)

Corey Enright ($386k) – Like Mackie tonight did little to draw my attention, but we all know he can blow up for big numbers – 16 posies (46)

Harry Taylor ($261k) – A spruiked mid-ranger up back, Harry has had a solid preseason for his price and if he consistently gets a game should be a decent pickup – 19 posies (60)

Chad Cornes ($379k) – LOCK…next! – 26 posies, 5 tackles (99)

Nathan Krakouer ($189k) – Another impressive showing for Krakouer who looks to be mopping up across back, the only question is whether he will miss out once the Burgoyne brothers are back… – 22 touches (61)