Port Adelaide v Geelong Preview, Adelaide Oval

The 2024 AFL finals series kicks off in the City of Churches as Port Adelaide hosts Geelong at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night in a Qualifying Final. Port heads into the finals in red-hot form, having won their last six matches and eight of their last nine games to secure the second spot and an all-important home final. Ken Hinkley’s side played spoiler for Fremantle in the season’s final round by ending their finals hopes with a solid 20-point win at Optus Stadium. The Power have an excellent record in home Qualifying Finals in years gone by, having won their last two at Adelaide Oval against Geelong on both occasions in 2020 and 2021. However, their biggest issue has been their form after the first week of finals, falling short of a Grand Final in each of Ken Hinkley’s 12 seasons at the helm. Their opponents, Geelong, locked in a top-four berth with a resounding 93-point win over West Coast and have won four of their last five matches heading into finals. Port should regain Todd Marshall from concussion symptoms but will be without Kane Farrell (hamstring) and Dan Houston (suspension), while the Cats will welcome back Sam De Koning (knee). However, Tom Hawkins (foot) and Cameron Guthrie (Achilles) will return via the VFL. The Power won the only meeting between the two sides this season with an incredible six-point win at GMHBA Stadium.

TIP: Port Adelaide by 10 points, Jason Horne-Francis 25+ disposals