Port Adelaide anticipating Geelong’s premiership greatest

Crimson-hot Port Adelaide are bracing for Geelong’s premiership greatest once they conflict with the Cats in a blockbuster opening to spherical 14.

The Energy are on a membership file 10-game successful streak to be firmly in rivalry to win their first flag since 2004.

Port will, briefly at the very least, substitute Collingwood on high of the ladder ought to they win a Eleventh-straight match.

However Geelong, who welcome again captain Patrick Dangerfield, twin premiership veteran Mitch Duncan and speedy teenager Max Holmes, will current a stern problem at Adelaide Oval on Thursday evening.

“We’re arising in opposition to the reigning champs who’ve their greatest group again collectively. It will be an actual problem,” Port coach Ken Hinkley stated.

“I all the time anticipate Geelong at their greatest, they’re an important footy membership. What they did final 12 months was superb.

“They’re on the stage of their season the place they’re beginning to get some momentum.

“They’re to usher in three high-quality gamers – at the very least three – contemporary; it’ll be a problem.

“It appears like they may have their greatest seven or eight forwards out there for the primary time this 12 months.”

Port’s mid-season recruit Quinton Narkle is closing in on a debut for the membership after starring with 33 possessions within the SANFL.

The 25-year-old has been named as an emergency and will realistically be picked because the sub.

Hinkley burdened the previous Geelong midfielder was near choice however stated Narkle was nonetheless adapting to Port’s fashion of play.

Narkle performed 41 video games for the Cats from 2018 earlier than he was delisted on the finish of final season.

Geelong threw up a shock at choice, resting Irish veteran Zac Tuohy however selecting him as an emergency.

Tuohy starred within the Cats’ last-start win in opposition to the Western Bulldogs and can miss his fellow Irishman Mark O’Connor’s one hundredth sport.

Premiership ruckman Rhys Stanley has additionally been listed as an emergency after lacking eight weeks attributable to a fractured eye socket.

Australian Related Press