Dwell: Sensational Cats obliterate Energy to maneuver a step nearer to the grand last

An evening which may take a while for us to get our heads round. Geelong has simply wiped the ground with Port Adelaide, taught the Energy a lesson in finals footy and despatched a message to the remainder of the league.

The Cats dominated the primary quarter however did not put it on the scoreboard, then Port responded in an entertaining second however by some means slipped additional behind. Then Zak Butters was subbed out at half-time and Port Adelaide visibly went to water. All their spark disappeared and Geelong simply took them aside.

Geelong was robust, composed, stylish and completely ruthless in each component apart from set shot goalkicking. The Cats are clearly all the way in which on this premiership race, and may be timing their run to perfection.

Port Adelaide now face an uphill activity to avoid wasting their season. The specter of straight units could be very actual, and the warmth on Ken Hinkley this week goes to be scorching.

Eighty-four factors! Eighty-four! It is simply outstanding.

There are 9 Cats on the market who did not play within the 2022 flag. There might be an ideal mixture of expertise and starvation on this Geelong squad, ripe for an additional premiership push.

Simply the boring outdated set shot purpose from 55 metres out for Jeremy Cameron. All a bit boring, actually, by his requirements.

It is a 79-point recreation with 5:22 on the clock. The group is scaling down dramatically.

Jeremy Cameron has missed a few routine set pictures tonight, however kicked three of the very best objectives you may see on the run as an alternative.

This time he is gone charging by way of the pack in the midst of the 50, scooping the ball up with one hand and snapping throughout the physique on his proper boot. He is a left-footer, after all. Freak.

A stunning little dummy and sidestep from Stengle despatched Byrne-Jones to the store, permitting the red-hot Cat to skip by way of and snap one other one.

They’re having some enjoyable on the market, numerous smiles on Geelong faces. Seven minutes to play nonetheless.

Cannot think about there may be any actual harm concern there given he simply kicked a purpose about 30 seconds in the past. Perhaps one thing they only wish to relaxation.

Zach Tuohy is on because the sub for the final 12 minutes of this recreation.

As Patty Dangerfield places his toes up on the bench, his Cats proceed to go to work out on the sphere.

Miers strolled to about 45 out on the angle and completely laced one low and onerous by way of the heart. Again to a 10-goal Geelong lead.

Took some ridiculously slick fingers from Willie Rioli within the pocket, however lastly the Energy followers have a purpose to cheer.

Rioli appeared to scoop that up on the run from behind him, then poked just a little five-metre kick throughout to Burgoyne who transformed from the purpose line.

Took them solely a few minutes of this final quarter, however the Cats are on the board once more.

It has been legal how a lot area Geelong’s forwards have had out the again of the Port defence tonight. But once more Mannagh was in a position to lookup exterior 50 and see a transparent possibility in a paddock behind the again line.

Miers marks within the sq., kicks the purpose and makes it a 61-point recreation.

Of all of the attainable outcomes that had gone by way of my head tonight, I am unsure this one featured. It is a Geelong whitewash, a whole massacre now because the Cats maintain a 55-point lead that might very simply be extra.

Now Geelong are within the unbelievable place of excited about who to relaxation with a preliminary last in thoughts. In the meantime, Ken Hinkley will already be bracing for the backlash as he plots his path to a semifinal subsequent week in opposition to one of many type groups within the league, presumably with out Zak Butters.

It is a outstanding night which has flipped the flag race on its head. Geelong has been that good tonight. And there is nonetheless 1 / 4 to play.

One in every of a variety of nice Geelong tales this yr, Shaun Mannagh, has kicked his third purpose in his first AFL last.

The Cats’ small forwards have been insatiable tonight. Connor Rozee took on three tacklers, and regardless that he broke two he could not get previous Mannagh. Holding the ball, and a simple end for purpose.

Nothing actually, apart from the suggestion it’s a downside along with his ribs and Ken Hinkley saying he’s “sore”.

4 minutes to play within the third quarter, Geelong lead it by 49 factors and the life is dripping out of this contest.

I will be trustworthy, I’ve completely no clue what the MRO/tribunal’s normal for suspension on this stuff are anymore. However I will take a punt and say Drew will most likely be okay.

A spherical of applause once more to Patrick Dangerfield although, who has been very good tonight. He took a contested mark on the wing, noticed the area to play on, took off and weighted an ideal kick into the trail of Shannon Neale.

Neale made no mistake along with his set shot and now we’re stepping into flogging territory. Port Adelaide has no solutions proper now.

It is a 40-point recreation at Adelaide Oval! The Cats are taking part in impressed footy, and from one other turnover compelled inside their attacking 50 have seen Bruhn mark uncontested and convert from immediately in entrance.

There’s 12:47 nonetheless left within the third quarter, but it surely’s onerous to see any path again for Port Adelaide right here.

One contact, one step, a second purpose for Shaun Mannagh! One other stoppage purpose for the Cats and that is greater than getting out of hand for Port Adelaide now.

There is a bizarre hum across the floor proper now because the Port followers can sense this recreation getting away from them. It is a 33-point lead now.

The transformed set shot of the evening for Geelong offers the Cats their greatest lead of the evening. Ollie Dempsey was cool within the pocket to look inside and discover Bowes in area on the prime of the sq..

It is solely early on this third quarter, however Port Adelaide and the group appear flattened by this Butters information. The very last thing the Energy wanted.

Large. Clearly Butters has an harm downside which we hope to study extra about very quickly. However that could be a full catastrophe for Port, who now have to pressure this comeback with out arguably their greatest participant.

Quinton Narkle has come on because the sub.

EDIT: A rib harm is the decision for Zak Butters.

Zak Butters is beginning on the bench and chatting with Port Adelaide docs at the moment. That’s actually one to observe.

The second half is underway at Adelaide Oval, and its the house facet with all of the work to do.