Analysis

Breaking down Port Adelaide’s strengths ahead of Geelong’s Round 6 AFLW clash

Geelong are building momentum and their season is well and truly back on track, as they head to Alberton Oval in search of their third straight win as they take on Port Adelaide in Round 6. 

Bouncing back from a slow start to the year, the Cats have registered dominant wins over Richmond and Essendon in the past fortnight, moving back within one win of the top eight as the competition nears the midway point of the season. 

This week’s opponent is a Port Adelaide team that is also finding form, after taking down the previously undefeated Melbourne Demons last week to clinch their second victory in three games. 

With another important clash looming on Saturday, take a look at all the main things to keep an eye on this week as the Cats do battle with the Power. 

Ladder 

Port Adelaide: 11th (2-3)

Geelong Cats: 10th (2-3)

Points For 

Port Adelaide: 235

Geelong Cats: 210

Points Against 

Port Adelaide: 278

Geelong Cats: 222

Recent History – Geelong v Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide are now into their fourth season in the competition and this weekend will be just the second time Geelong has played them, the first meeting coming in Round 4 of the 2023 season. 

The Cats opened the contest with seven unanswered goals, building a 43-point lead by the 16-minute mark of the second quarter and going on to claim a strong victory. 

Nina Morrison (32 disposals) and Amy McDonald (30 disposals) dominated through the midfield, Chloe Scheer kicked a game-high four goals, while Becky Webster (27 disposals, 10 intercepts) was immense down back. 

GAME
HOME
AWAY
VENUE

Round 4 – 2023
Port Adelaide 5.12 (42)
Geelong 11.4 (70)
Alberton Oval

Deakin Performance Stat of the Week – Stopping Port Adelaide’s Kicking Game

Last week the Cats faced a Richmond team that preferred to handball instead of kick, but this week is the complete opposite facing a Power outfit that likes to move the ball by foot. 

Port Adelaide average 161.2 kicks per game to just 63.8 handballs, by far the biggest discrepancy of any team in the competition, and nearly 27 less handballs per game than the next lowest ranked team in that statistic. 

While it is an unusual tactic, it is also very effective as they are going at an impressive 71.6% kick efficiency this season, 8.8% better than the next best team and 12.9% better than the AFLW average. 

This was a big factor in their win over Melbourne last week, finishing with 75 less handballs than the Demons but proving very effective by foot, able to find targets inside forward 50 and hitting the scoreboard frequently. 

Port Adelaide’s 2025 AFLW Stats

Statistic
Average Per Game
AFLW Rank

Kicks
161.2
3rd

Kick Efficiency
71.6%
1st

Metres Gained
4138.6
2nd

Metres Per Disposal
18.4
1st

Port Adelaide Player to Watch – Matilda Scholz

One of the most dominant rucks in the AFLW, Matilda Scholz has had a brilliant start to the 2025 season and is a pivotal part of Port Adelaide’s structure. 

Showing her strength around stoppages, Scholz ranks fifth in the AFLW for hit-outs, third for hit-outs to advantage, 11th for clearances and 17th for contested possessions. 

Scholz also sits fifth in the competition for score involvements and seventh for contested marks, able to impact the contest right across the ground. 

Where Geelong Can Improve – Rebound 50s

The Cats have struggled to repel the ball from their defensive 50 this season, ranked 18th in the AFLW for rebound 50s this season with an average of 22.2 per game. 

It is also well below the AFLW competition average of 27.2 rebound 50s per game, an area that the Cats will want to improve in across the rest of the season. 

Rachel Kearns and Becky Webster lead the way in that area, with both players ranked inside the AFLW’s top 20 players for rebound 50s, but they will need more support from other defenders to improve in this category.Â