It was a dire night for the Port Adelaide Football Club, losing to Geelong by 84 points on their own turf.
Ken Hinkley’s side amassed a whopping 11 fails for the night, with only two players scoring above a seven in a qualifying final for the ages, and all the wrong reasons.
Every Port Adelaide player rated out of 10 from the qualifying final vs Geelong.
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Port Adelaide vs Geelong Second Qualifying Final scores, stats and more
1. Connor Rozee
Plenty of expectation on the first-year skipper, who was choppy with ball in hand throughout the first half. Was highlighted for “not having enough influence” by half time by St Kilda great Leigh Montagna. Was tackled holding the ball by Shaun Mannagh in the dying stage of the third quarter which ended in a goal, and summed up both him and his sides night. Tackled better than any of his teammates. 5
3. Ryan Burton
Has been in and out of the side in 2024, but made his impact felt straight away – kicking Port’s first from long range. Looked to be his side’s main distributor out of half back and was commendable without being exceptional. Should hold his spot next week. 6
7. Jase Burgoyne
Was thrust into the half back role without Dan Houston by his side, but didn’t quite take the opportunity with both hands. Kicked a nice goal after the game was done, but will need to lift a fair bit in Houston’s absence if his side are any chance of going beyond the second week of finals. 4
9. Zak Butters
Subbed out with soreness at half time, and had less of an influence early than he would have liked. Finished the match with eight disposals, three score involvements and two clearances and will have fans across South Australia praying his injury isn’t season-ending. A total contrast to his 34 disposals and a goal against the Cats in Round 7; albeit this time playing just half a game. 3
10. Travis Boak
Had more ball than any Power player at the main break with five inside 50s to go with it. Had a very quiet second half and finished the match with 20disposals in career final number 16. An experienced head the side needs, but will need to find another gear next weekend against one of Hawthorn or the Western Bulldogs. 5
14. Miles Bergman
One of their best all night. Stood tall in aerial contests while being peppered by Geelong midfielders kicking inside his defensive 50, and took multiple contested marks amid direct opponents. Led the match with his 11 intercept possessions and four contested marks in a grim night for his defence, but the 22-year-old can certainly hold his head high. 7
15. Willie Rioli
He ran riot against the Cats earlier this season for his 4.3, and looked lively early doors despite getting little ball. Was labelled as ‘dangerous’ by Leigh Montagna alongside McEntee up forward, but a lack of opportunity really cost him a chance to build on his momentum in the second half. Despite the lack of opportunity, still had his moments after half time – highlighted by a cheeky goal assist for Burgoyne in the last quarter. 6
16. Ollie Wines
Had a huge second quarter to drag Port into the lead for the first time on Thursday night, and alongside Horne-Francis, carried the flag in the engine room for what was otherwise a poor night all around by the Power. May find himself back in the primary starting midfield on the back of this performance, depending on the severity of Butters’ rib injury. 7
18. Jason Horne-Francis
As always, was so influential with ball and hand. Strangely found himself on the bench for the first seven minutes in the first and second quarter, but as soon as he was brought on – he fired. Alongside Wines and Bergman, he was best on ground for the home side and looked dangerous even when the result well beyond doubt. Finished the game with 18 disposals, six inside 50s and five centre clearances, can hold his head up high. Lead his side for contested possessions (13). 8
19. Mitch Georgiades
The 22-year-old had a very up-and-down night. Having kicked 17 goals in his last five appearances, the expectations for Georgiades tonight were high. Was targeted by his teammates kicking inside 50 a lot in the first half and delivered in the contest, but also turned the ball over inexplicably with the goals in sight. He gets a pass mark for how dangerous he looked in the first half, but he still had moments to forget. 5
21. Aliir Aliir
Had five intercept disposals and two strong contested marks at half time, but the Cats attack still had the better of him. Things only got worse in the second half, with the 2021 All-Australian defender at times left for dead. Like many teammates, not his night – but in Aliir’s case, it also wasn’t all his fault either. 4
22. Charlie Dixon
Had just the one disposal to half time, with Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna stating he was “giving them nothing forward of the ball’. Added just two disposals to his match tally, and was thrown into the ruck a handful of times in the second half to try and help him find a spark. Finished with three disposals, and is now in serious danger of losing his spot in the team to Todd Marshall next weekend. 2
24. Jordon Sweet
Notched up 51hitoutsfor the match but had no impact around the ground, in a game that so desperately required him to do so given Geelong’s lack of traditional ruckman. Needs to give his side a big spark next week. 3
25. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher
Like many of his fellow defenders, took plenty of marks early on while his side’s defence was under siege. Would liked to have been able to play off his man more than what he did, finishing with eight marks and five intercept possessions. 5
27. Esava Ratugolea
The stat sheet won’t show the true impact of it, but the former Cat was influential in scoring chains throughout the first half – despite not kicking any goals himself. Died off significantly in the second half which hurts his rating a fair bit. 3
28. Willem Drew
Had five clearances at half time and eight for the match, having played predominantly midfield. Held Dangerfield accountable enough at stoppage, without really burning him offensively. Tried his heart out and shouldn’t be too disheartened personally. 6
31. Francis Evans
Wasn’t sighted a whole lot in the first half, and had some poor turnovers in transition. Couldn’t question his efforts chasing or tackling opposition defenders, but not his night. Could be in the gun next week if Hinkley decides to swing the axe. 3
33. Darcy Byrne-Jones
Strong first five minutes in his move back to defence, after playing forward most of this season. Was good around the hard ball, finishing with 12 contested possessions. Should be kept in defence moving forward into next weekend. 6
34. Lachie Jones
Let Stengle kick the first goal of the game in a poor showing of defence, and wasn’t sighted much beyond that point. Was far off his best and failed to punish his direct opponents. 3
41. Jed McEntee
Was freed up before the first bounce thanks to the late out of Geelong’s Tom Stewart. Kicked a crucial goal in the second quarter to give his side the lead thanks to excellent crumbing at ground level. Alongside Rioli, was labelled ‘dangerous’ by Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna at half time. Deprived of opportunity in the second half like many other Port forwards. 5
Tom Stewart ruled out of Cats v Port | 02:08
42. Quinton Narkle
The super sub for the Power was injected into the match at the start of the second half, but failed to have the influence him or Ken Hinkley would have desired. Might well be dropped for next week. 2
43. Logan Evans
Slack defending allowed Stengle to kick the first of the second quarter and was average with ball in hand throughout the night. Had 15 disposals but didn’t impact the same like he has earlier in the season. Obviously still very new to AFL football, but tonight was certainly a learning experience. 4
44. Jackson Mead
Wasn’t overly effective with ball in hand to begin with, but closed out the half strongly with a couple good acts. Should have had more of an influence than he did given how high up the ground he played. Is better than what he showed tonight, and will know that. 3
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