The AFL season has reached its crescendo, and the stakes couldn't be higher. The Power and the Cats are fighting for a home preliminary final in what shapes as an enthralling clash, and the absence of star defender Tom Stewart due to illness has added another layer of intrigue to this crucial encounter.
Stewart, a five-time All-Australian, was initially expected to play despite a hamstring issue suffered in the Cats' round 24 game against West Coast. However, he woke up sick on Thursday morning and was a late withdrawal, leaving a void in the Cats' backline.
His absence is a significant blow for Geelong, who have been enjoying a resurgence in form after a mid-season slump. They've conceded just 75.6 points per game since round 16, ranked sixth in the league, compared to 105.1 points per game from round 7-15, which ranked them dead last.
However, the Cats' midfield remains a concern. With Patrick Dangerfield missing, they've struggled to match the firepower of their opponents in the middle. The Power, on the other hand, boast a formidable midfield with a blend of experience and emerging talent. Captain Connor Rozee, Ollie Wines, and Zak Butters are the established stars, while Jason Horne-Francis has emerged as a genuine game-breaker.
The Power's midfield depth has been a key factor in their recent success. Willem Drew has been able to zero in on the opposition's best players, allowing Horne-Francis to push forward more often, Travis Boak to flourish on a wing, and Wines to return to his best, absorbing bodily contact and protecting some of the lighter-framed stars.
The Power have been the form team of the competition, winning eight of their past nine games, including the last six in a row. They'll play two finals at home and have answered every challenge, beating every major contender.
The last game between these two clubs was a strange affair. Port Adelaide, without Connor Rozee, played as well as any team this year, while the Cats were top of the table but stood revealed in the first half. Their midfield was mauled and Tom Stewart was harassed out of the game. Coach Chris Scott said it was as poor as they’d played for five years.
Geelong's small, clever forwards will be a challenge for Port's makeshift backline, particularly in the absence of Kane Farrell and Dan Houston, who are both crucial to their attacking style. However, Port's backline, a mix of the green-horned, the improving, and the recycled, has been excellent and punched above its weight for two months now.
The unavailability of their two rebounding half-backs will hurt, but Port will perhaps have to sacrifice some of their attacking flair for a more conservative, safety-first approach. They also have an All-Australian key forward to shut down.
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The Power and Cats are fighting for a home preliminary final, and with the absence of Tom Stewart adding another layer of intrigue, this qualifying final promises to be an enthralling battle. Will the Cats be able to overcome the Power's midfield dominance and secure their place in the next round, or will Port Adelaide continue their incredible run and advance towards a potential premiership?
