AFL 2020 qualifying final: Port Adelaide v Geelong – live!

And here come Port Adelaide, in the blackest iteration of their singlet, shorts and socks combo. Solid run-out tune.

Scott Heinrich has cast his expert eye over the last eight standing.

On Port Adelaide, he writes, “the Power are tight defensively – no team in the regular season conceded fewer points.” And from a Geelong point of view that must be a little concerning. Richmond showed in round 17 how to blunt the Tomahawk and the Cats laboured to 10.9 the following week against Sydney. They may be blips, but there is a suspicion the Cats have lost momentum at the wrong time of the year and a side as well-drilled defensively as Port Adelaide are not what they need to jolt themselves out of a rut. There’s been plenty of talk over how much forward exposure Patrick Dangerfield will get tonight and his ability to offer a second leading marking option will be pivotal in unsettling the Power backline. Chris Scott must also hope for more from his schemers and speedsters around half-forward after a couple of lean weeks. Fortunately for him that list now includes Gary Ablett with a run under his belt.

On Geelong, Heinrich argues, “the Cats’ methodical, high-possession game is not to everyone’s taste but when on song it is most effective.” Therein lies Ken Hinkley’s coaching task for the night – deny Geelong the ball and disrupt them as soon as they get it. Richmond nailed the brief and Sydney’s small forwards did the job for almost three quarters. If the Power nail a couple of scalps early and the crowd gets behind them, they could become an irresistible force.

Geelong are making the way along the race, led by skipper Joel Selwood. The Cats are in the whitest version of their famous old uniform. “It’s a privilege to be in this position” Chris Scott tells Channel Seven.

Onya Jude, I’m very envious. Hope you’re treated to a belter. After a season with so much to celebrate and so few options to do so, you deserve a banner night.

After carefully managing his troops throughout the year Chris Scott is rewarded with the opportunity to select from as close to a fully fit squad as could be expected. Geelong’s best 22 has taken shape over the season and tonight the final couple of pieces of the jigsaw have fallen into place. That means the more reliable Rhys Stanley gets the nod in the ruck ahead of Esava Ratugolea, and the greater forward pressure of Tom Atkins is preferred to Jack Steven on a half-forward flank.

All of this means there are no excuses for a side that has a famously poor recent finals record (since their 2011 flag Geelong’s home-and-away season win percentage stands at 69% compared with just 27% in the finals). Moreover, this is a seriously experienced Cats outfit. With an average age of 28, the 22 listed represents the oldest ever selected in VFL/AFL history. We already know this will be Gary Ablett’s last tilt at a flag, but the premiership window may not remain open much longer for the likes of Harry Taylor, Joel Selwood or Tom Hawkins.

B: J. Bews, H. Taylor, . Kolodjashnij
HB: L. Henderson, M. Blicavs, T. Stewart
C: Z. Tuohy, J. Selwood (C), S. Menegola
HF: L. Dahlhaus, G. Rohan, M. Duncan
F: M. O’Connor, T. Hawkins, G. Ablett
Foll: R. Stanley, P. Dangerfield, C. Guthrie
Inter: J. Henry, T. Atkins, B. Parfitt, G. Miers

Minor premiers, fully-fit list, home ground advantage, everything’s coming up Milhouse for Port Adelaide. Ken Hinkley has been able to recall impressive defenders Ryan Burton and Tom Clurey after short stints out through injury, while Zak Butters comes back in after suspension.

After the round 12 mauling at the hands of Tom Hawkins, the big tactical question for Hinkley will inevitably be around dealing with the Geelong spearhead. Does he man-up with Clurey once again, or does he switch to the team-focussed defence that served Richmond so well recently?

Above the shoulders, Hinkley will have to instil belief in a Power unit that hasn’t experienced the pressure of finals since 2017, and hasn’t tasted victory in a playoff since 2014. They could also do with banishing some demons in this match-up, winning just twice against the Cats since 2013.

B: R. Burton, T. McKenzie, D. Houston
HB: H. Hartlett, T. Jonas (C), D. Byrne-Jones
C: X. Duursma, O. Wines, K. Amon
HF: Z. Butters, T. Marshall, B. Ebert
F: C. Rozee, C. Dixon, R. Gray
Foll: S. Lycett, T. Rockliff, T. Boak
Inter: S. Powell-Pepper, S. Motlop, T. Clurey, P. Ladhams

The most handsome sporting venue in the world has delivered optimal conditions for the first final of 2020. It is dry and windless with temperatures in the mid-to-high teens, and there are even 24,000 or so fans in attendance to create an authentic atmosphere.