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Cats win, but Danger nursing tight calf

3 minute read

Geelong have withstood a fierce early challenge from Port Adelaide to win by 35 points win at home, but Patrick Dangerfield went off late with a tight calf.

PATRICK DANGERFIELD of the Cats.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD of the Cats. Picture: Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images

Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield has more calf trouble, taking some of the gloss off their big 35-point AFL win over Port Adelaide.

The Cats won two in a row for the first time since round four and broke Port's four-game streak on Saturday at GHMBA Stadium, 11.16 (82) to 7.5 (47).

This was Dangerfield's third game back after the Brownlow Medallist missed two matches because of a calf injury.

He was ill during the week and coach Chris Scott praised him for his 18-possession game, which featured six clearances.

Dangerfield went off in the last quarter when the game was won and Scott was hopeful that the 32-year-old would not miss any matches.

"By that stage the game was iced. He was a bit tight in his calf," Scott said.

"The only feedback we have at the moment is that - he's tight and he shouldn't go back on, given the score.

"I love it when physios decide the game's over. They're a lot more relaxed than I am.

"It's hard to say, but my hope is it was just precautionary."

Port led by one point at the main break and remarkably Geelong managed no marks inside 50m during the first half despite ideal conditions and an attack boasting Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron and Gary Rohan.

Their first mark inside 50 came halfway through the third quarter when Dangerfield lowered his eyes and hit up Joel Selwood, who kicked a crucial goal.

Port were still in the hunt late in the third when Jeremy Finlayson had a shot on goal, but it went out on the full.

Geelong then rebounded and reborn small forward Tyson Stengle kicked his third goal.

Then on the three-quarter time siren, Cameron took a big mark and his booming screw point from outside 50m effectively sealed the result.

It leaves the Cats 6-4 and the Power 4-6.

"I don't quite follow the logic of the eight-point game, but I get the insinuation," Scott said.

"That (the win) was important."

Cats defender Tom Stewart starred, while midfielder Cam Guthrie racked up 37 possessions, including 15 contested, and Cameron also kicked three goals.

Port utility Dan Houston had 30 disposals and took 11 marks.

Power coach Ken Hinkley said they did not play well and noted his side lost the contested possession count by 30.

"That's the game ... today's description of contested possession was pretty accurate," he said.

"Geelong were way better around the ball and were willing enough to be stronger in the contest than we were today.

"We didn't give up, but we didn't have much polish going on around the contest, down the ground, our forward line, our backline - there were just too many parts not working real well out there today."

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