Geelong are determined not to become the latest victims of a Port Adelaide AFL comeback when they host the Power at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
Cats midfielder-forward Mitch Duncan said his side could see elements of their own game in the Power’s fast-moving, risk-taking style, guided by former Geelong assistant Ken Hinkley.
It’s helped Port pull off some stunning come-from-behind wins this season, including last round’s thriller over Adelaide.
“They’re an exciting team, they like to use run and carry out of the backline, pretty similar to the way we’re playing at the moment,” Duncan told AAP.
“They take risks and that’s why I think they’ve been able to come back from some pretty big deficits, they take the game on.
“We’ve got to really stop them early on and get in their face and have a lot of defensive pressure and force errors with their ball skills. I think that’s what will determine the game.”
The Cats achieved that last time they met Port, outscoring them seven goals to none in the first quarter at AAMI Stadium in round nine to set up a 48-point win.
But Duncan notes that even if Geelong can make a similarly dominant start on Saturday night, it won’t guarantee anything, given the Power’s comeback habit.
The Cats are particularly wary since giving up a 38-point last-change lead to fall to Brisbane in round 13.
They also fell from 30 points up during the third term to lose to the Crows in round 17.
“Especially after what happened against Brisbane, we wouldn’t want that to happen again, that’s for sure,” Duncan said.
“Even if we do get a bit of a lead we need to make sure we put them to the sword or defend that lead.”
The Cats have made five unforced changes after losing to North Melbourne last round, including regaining James Podsiadly, Jared Rivers and Allen Christensen.
Interestingly, they dropped ruck pair Trent West and Mark Blicavs, leaving 22-year-old ruckman Nathan Vardy, who has been restricted by injury to just 15 AFL games so far in his first three seasons, to carry most of the ruck load.
The Power’s only change was forced, replacing Paul Stewart (wrist) with Nathan Blee.