Mitch Georgiades to play 100th AFL game in Showdown, dismisses West Coast speculation

Key facts

• Mitch Georgiades will play his 100th AFL game in Friday's Showdown against Adelaide.
• The 24-year-old was drafted from Subiaco in the 2019 national draft.
• He suffered an ACL injury in 2023 but has since become one of the league's leading forwards.
• Georgiades is sixth on the goalkickers list with 18.15 this season after a career-best 58 goals in 2024.
• He is contracted to Port Adelaide until the end of 2027.
• West Coast was reportedly interested before he signed a four-year deal in late 2023.
• Georgiades has mentored teenager Jack Whitlock, praising his growth and ability.

Century milestone amid career-best form

Mitch Georgiades will run out for his 100th AFL game this Friday in the Showdown against Adelaide, a milestone the Port Adelaide forward described as 'pretty cool' and an honour. The 24-year-old, drafted from Subiaco in 2019, has rebounded from an ACL injury in 2023 to produce career-best form over the past two seasons, establishing himself as one of the competition's premier forwards. Speaking to Adelaide media on Tuesday, Georgiades reflected on his journey, saying it has been a great ride and he hopes for many more games to come. He expressed particular excitement at playing in the Showdown, which he called one of the biggest games on the calendar for the club and the state.

Favourite moments and mentorship

When asked about his favourite career moments, Georgiades pointed to winning a final against Hawthorn a couple of years ago, describing the close contest as hard to beat. He also highlighted last year's match against Gold Coast, which served as a send-off for senior figures Ken Hinkley, Chad Cornes, and Travis Boak. He acknowledged some memorable marks but admitted he has dropped a few along the way. Georgiades also spoke warmly about mentoring towering teenager Jack Whitlock, saying he has loved working with him over the pre-season and the last few games of last year. He noted that Whitlock shows his talent each week and is impossible to stop when he gets full stretch for the ball. Of teammate Dante Visentini, who has been playing more forward, Georgiades said he enjoys having him up there, as Visentini takes on the brunt of the contest down the line and provides ruck support.

Contract uncertainty and West Coast rumours

Despite his strong form, Georgiades is yet to think about his long-term future beyond his current contract, which runs until the end of 2027. He dismissed speculation linking him with a return to Western Australia, where West Coast was believed to have pitched for his services before he signed a four-year deal in late 2023. 'I am just literally focusing on the moment,' Georgiades told reporters on Tuesday. 'This year, next year, that is where I'm contracted to and I love it here, I love what we're building as a club. I feel like I am stepping up as a leader and taking this club forward a little bit, so I'm not focused too far ahead in the future.' He responded to comments from former assistant coach Chad Cornes, now a radio pundit, who predicted a return to Perth, saying Cornes is entitled to his opinion but that he is fully focused on Port.

Addressing goalkicking inconsistency

Georgiades also addressed the team's inaccuracy in front of goal over the weekend, noting that despite extensive work on their routines, not every week will see straight kicking. He pointed out that the previous week against Hawthorn they kicked incredibly straight, but this week they were not as accurate. He emphasised that the team backs their processes each time they go out. He cited statistics and conversations with coaches indicating that set-shot accuracy has improved this year, crediting forward line coach Darren Reeves and skills coach Johnny Corbett, as well as the players' pre-season work. He acknowledged that shot location also plays a role, with the team sometimes taking shots from tricky positions. Reviewing his own set shots, Georgiades said he has a strong routine and backs himself more often than not.

Ball movement and forward line dynamics

On the team's ball movement into the forward 50, Georgiades noted that there are multiple avenues to get the ball inside. He observed that when the team can move the ball and change directions, it creates open looks inside the forward 50, which is crucial given that Port Adelaide's forward line is not the biggest group. He said the movement has been building over the past couple of weeks and this season. He also reflected on his own performance, saying that when the ball was moving well, he was able to get on the end of some nice looks, making it enjoyable to play forward.

Outlook and significance

Georgiades' 100th game comes at a pivotal moment for Port Adelaide, with the Showdown carrying significant weight for both clubs. His leadership and form will be crucial as the Power push for finals. While his future beyond 2027 remains an open question, his current focus on the present and his commitment to the club suggest he is fully invested in the team's trajectory. The milestone also underscores his remarkable recovery from an ACL injury, transforming adversity into motivation to become one of the AFL's leading forwards. With 18.15 goals this season after a career-best 58 last year, Georgiades is on track to surpass his previous tally, further cementing his status as a key figure for Port Adelaide.

The bottom line

• Mitch Georgiades will play his 100th AFL game in the Showdown on Friday, a milestone he considers an honour.
• He is in career-best form, ranking sixth on the goalkickers list with 18.15 goals this season.
• Georgiades has not considered his long-term future despite being off-contract at the end of 2027 and West Coast speculation.
• He has mentored young forward Jack Whitlock and enjoys playing alongside Dante Visentini.
• The team's goalkicking accuracy has improved this year, who credits coaches and individual routines.
• Georgiades' recovery from an ACL injury in 2023 has driven his rise as a leading forward.