Cats edge gritty Port

Geelong has started its Premiership defence with a shaky nine-point victory against a fast-finishing Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in a 15.15 (105) to 14.12 (96) result.

The Cats showed impressive form and were poised to blow the Power away when they led by 37-points late in the first half.

But Port, still hurting from last season's humiliating Grand Final result, rallied after the break with Chad and Kane Cornes among the experienced players leading a home team revival.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson said he was frustrated by some 'uncharacteristic' errors from his players but added it was always going to be a challenge beating Port at home.

"The opposition are never going to roll over and they are a pretty good outfit so to play them first up here and to take the points, you'd have to be happy," Thompson said.

"We'd love to have had a better second half but we didn't, I guess we have a lot of things we can work on."

The Power played with freedom and instinct in the second half; the change in mindset bringing some of the club's struggling players back into the contest. They kicked the last two majors of the game but eventually went down down by nine points following a string of missed shots at goal deep in the final quarter.

For the Cats, James Kelly had 31 possessions while Joel Corey and Corey Enright were strong performers too.

Kane Cornes also collected 31 touches while his brother Chad's second half was important as was Peter Burgoyne's 22 disposals.

Earlier, Port had made the perfect start to the contest with Brett Ebert scoring a goal 42 seconds into the first quarter.

They continued to attack and 20 minutes through the term they held a narrow lead over their opposition.

But the Cats, with their quick rebound from defence, an improved possession rate in the midfield and clean execution in attack, prevailed.

The visitors kicked the last three goals of the stanza through Cameron Mooney, Paul Chapman and Ryan Gamble (his first major in the AFL) to take a 16-point lead into the first change.

Mooney kicked a goal in the opening minute of the second term as Geelong strengthened its grip on the contest.

They ran in numbers through the corridor and with some clean passing were able to stage countless forays into attack.

And they were able to produce some magic too; at the 26-minute mark Tom Hawkins eluded Toby Thurstans on the boundary and coolly slotted a checkside major to open up a 37-point lead.

Port was under pressure across the ground and, on the odd occasion they did break free, they couldn't find an avenue to goal. The Power was either forced wide or lacked conviction with their disposal into the forward 50-metres.

Warren Tredrea produced one of the team's few highlights, the skipper taking a contested mark and converting with his left foot deep into time on.

The Power displayed a more daring attitude after the break and this breathed life into the contest with goals coming to Daniel Motlop and Brendon Lade in the space of minutes.

They undid some of their hard work, however, by giving away two 50-metre penalties in a row and gifting a goal to Joel Corey.

But the momentum had swung and, for the first time in the clash, the Cats were not precise with their possession.

Port had the