PORT Adelaide has emerged a genuine contender for a top-four spot after beating Melbourne 11.9 (75) to 9.11 (65) in a ferociously fought-out cliffhanger at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
The Demons led almost all night but couldn't establish a substantial break at any stage despite dominating inside 50s, and when Sam Gray goaled midway through the last quarter the Power snatched the lead.
The intensity only lifted from that point on with every contest at top pace and players often left lying on the ground when the dust lifted.
Justin Westhoff goaled from a 50-metre penalty with five minutes on the clock, and while Melbourne kept coming they couldn't bridge the gap.
The win lifts the Power (9-4) to fourth on the ladder, overtaking the Demons – who have now lost their past two games and have slipped to 8-5 for the season.
The Power won despite losing the Inside 50s 68-39, contested possession 177-158 and clearances 54-38.
"It shows a fair bit of growth because we've lost games like that, just in the last 12 months, big games, where we've dominated (Inside 50) entries and haven't been able to put the score on the board," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.
"You've just got to find a way to take your chances, we found that way to keep in the game.
"I thought our pressure was through the roof.
"Our backline defended amazingly well under a fair bit of pressure.
"Even though the entries were so far against us, we never looked out of the contest and they were a bit cleaner."
Power vice-captain Ollie Wines celebrated his four-year contract extension with 29 disposals, 18 contested possessions and eight clearances.
Key defender Tom Jonas was superb cutting off numerous Demons' attacking raids, Tom Rockliff was busy, Steven Motlop showed class and poise with his delivery and Sam Powell-Pepper was a tackling machine, setting a new club record with 17 tackles.
Demons co-captain Jack Viney was outstanding, finishing with 20 contested possessions among his 30 disposals to go with 14 clearances and six Inside 50s.
Clayton Oliver was influential, fellow co-captain Nathan Jones worked hard, Angus Brayshaw thrived on lots of physical pressure, Tom McDonald kicked three goals and defender Neville Jetta did a great job restricting the dangerous Robbie Gray to two goals and 15 disposals.
The Demons led by two points – 4.8 (32) to 4.6 (30) – in a low-scoring first half before the game opened up after the main break.
They kicked five goals to four in the third quarter, but couldn't quite put the Power away.
The Demons have now lost their past two games after winning six straight, but coach Simon Goodwin took the positives out of the tightly-fought contest.
"I thought our performance was strong," Goodwin said.
"The two sides knew the way each other played and they went at it for four quarters.
"Our behaviours tonight were outstanding, that game could've gone either way."
Demons defender Oscar McDonald could have a case to answer after a strong collision with Power forward Todd Marshall early in the game.
Key forward Tom McDonald will have scans for a chest injury, while Jetta rolled his ankle and suffered a head knock in the final term, but both are at this stage expected to be fit to face St Kilda next week.
MEDICAL ROOM
Port Adelaide: The Power didn't report any injuries. Defender Riley Bonner spent some time off the ground early in the game with a hand injury, while forward Todd Marshall had his cheekbone checked by medical staff after Oscar McDonald's bump.
Melbourne: Key forward Tom McDonald will have scans on his chest, while defender Neville Jetta rolled his ankle as well as copping a nasty head knock in the last quarter. Both players finished the game and are expected to be fit for next week.
NEXT UP
The Power will be red-hot favourites to beat Carlton at the MCG next Saturday, 1.45pm (AEST). The Demons should also have a relatively easy victory when they take on the struggling St Kilda at the MCG next Sunday, 1.10pm (AEST).
PORT ADELAIDE 1.3 4.6 8.7 11.9 (75)
MELBOURNE 3.5 4.8 9.9 9.11 (65)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Ebert 2, R.Gray 2, Westhoff 2, Wingard, Boak, Dixon, Thomas, S.Gray
Melbourne: T.McDonald 3, Hannan 2, Petracca, Smith, Melksham, Salem
BEST
Port Adelaide: Wines, Wingard, Jonas, Powell-Pepper, Rockliff, Westhoff
Melbourne: Viney, Brayshaw, Oliver, Jones, T.McDonald, Jetta
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: TBC
Melbourne: Jetta (head knock/ankle), T. McDonald (ribs)
Reports: TBC
Umpires: Deboy, Nicholls, Hay, McInerney
Official crowd: 40,751 at the Adelaide Oval
