PORT Adelaide has kept life in its season - and in Ken Hinkley's farewell tour - with a 14.9 (93) to 9.14 (68) win over Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
The first half was a high-class contest, but while it seemed reasonably balanced, it was the Power that took a four-goal lead into half-time.
At that stage Mitch Georgiades had already kicked four goals, but it was almost matched by Kozzy Pickett who had three from 14 disposals and was looking worth every cent of the many he will receive over the next nine years.
Melbourne brought the difference back inside a goal during the third quarter, but when Sam Powell-Pepper kicked Port's third after-the-siren goal for the game the difference was back out to 15 points.
The first two scores of the last quarter went the Demons' way, but both through for behinds.
The next three were Port Adelaide's and all goals, effectively putting an end to the contest.
The Power entered Sunday's game with two recognised ruckmen, a rare occurrence in this day and age but one clearly designed to minimise the influence of Max Gawn. Dante Visentini and Jordon Sweet looked on top of the big Demon early, claiming the first 10 hitouts, but slowly Max turned it around. By the end of the match the Port pair combined foe 12 disposals, three marks and 34 hitouts compared to Gawn's 21 touches, eight marks and 33 hitouts, arguably being his side's best yet again.
PORT ADELAIDE 4.4 9.6 11.8 14.9 (93)
MELBOURNE 3.4 5.6 8.11 9.14 (68)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Georgiades 7, Byrne-Jones 2, Rioli, Powell-Pepper, Horne-Francis, Burgoyne, Bergman
Melbourne: Pickett 3, van Rooyen 2, Fritsch 2, Turner, Petty
BEST
Port Adelaide: Georgiades, Horne-Francis, Butters, Rozee, Ratugolea, Bergman
Melbourne: Pickett, Gawn, Fritsch, Petracca,
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Aliir (TBC), Horne-Francis (shoulder)
Melbourne: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Hugh Jackson (replaced Aliir Aliir at three-quarter time)
Melbourne: Xavier Lindsay (replaced Trent Rivers at three-quarter time)
Crowd: TBC at Optus Stadium
