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'What a joke': AFL fans seethe over 'disgusting' finals farce

Port Adelaide players, pictured here during their win over Geelong.
Port Adelaide players celebrate during their win over Geelong. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Port Adelaide fans were left seething at the umpires on Friday night despite their 43-point trouncing of Geelong in their AFL qualifying final.

Prized recruits Aliir Aliir and Orazio Fantasia led the way with Aliir's defensive mastery and four goals from Fantasia propelling Port to a 12.14 (86) to 5.13 (43) triumph at Adelaide Oval.

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The Power secures a home preliminary final after a weekend off, with coach Ken Hinkley hailing the dismantling of Geelong.

"Did I expect us to come out and be as clean and as strong as we were? Maybe not," Hinkley said.

"But I'm pretty happy that we did."

However it wasn't all happy days for Port Adelaide fans, who were left raging at the level of umpiring early in the contest.

Halfway through the second quarter, the free kick count was 18-5 in favour of Geelong.

Fans in attendance at Adelaide Oval were particularly incensed when Karl Amon was pinged for a dangerous tackle on Brandan Parfitt.

"That is not dangerous at all. Mistake,” Wayne Carey said in commentary for Channel 7.

“The only way you can give the umpire the benefit of the doubt here is if he doesn’t get complete vision on that … but you can’t guess.”

Mark Soderstrom said: “The locals are getting very restless", while Brian Taylor added: “Look at these (fans). They’re going crazy."

Port Adelaide chairman David Koch was among the many to slam the umpiring on Twitter, writing: “18-5.”

Geelong coach calls for calm despite thrashing

The Cats are now pitched into a sudden-death semi-final against the winner of Sydney and Greater Western Sydney.

And while utility Mark O'Connor was substituted because of a left hamstring injury, Geelong coach Chris Scott said there was no hint of panic after losing an away qualifying final to Port for the second-straight year.

"What we are trying to be is an organisation when the chips are down, we find a way to fight back," Scott said.

"The equation in front of us tonight, and for the rest of the finals series, was to try to win three games: that's where we are now as well."

Geelong players, pictured here after their loss to Port Adelaide.
Geelong players walk from the field dejected after their loss to Port Adelaide. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images) (AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Scott's Cats were overwhelmed by Port, whose dynamic duo Travis Boak (32 disposals) and Ollie Wines (32 touches) were instrumental while winger Amon (25 possessions) offered great drive.

In defence, ex-Sydney Swan Aliir was superb with 11 intercept possessions, seven marks and a presence that filled Port's defensive zone.

And in attack, ex-Essendon goalsneak Fantasia starred before being substituted in the last term and having an ice-pack placed on his left knee.

"He gave it a knock and we weren't going to take a chance ... he has got two weeks now so he has got plenty of time to get over it," Hinkley said.

with AAP

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