PORT ADELAIDE has won a fiery game against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, highlighted by a half-time melee as punches flew from both teams.

The Power moved up to ninth place on the back of the 12.16 (88) to 7.9 (51) victory in wet conditions, but it was the scrap at the end of the second quarter the match will be best remembered for.

Five talking points: Gold Coast v Port Adelaide

Sam Gray (37 disposals) continued his purple patch of form with a new career-high just a week after having 34 touches against Hawthorn.

Along with Hamish Harlett (32) and Robbie Gray (26), they dominated the midfield.

Karl Amon kicked three clever left-footed goals in a polished display, while Chad Wingard extended his streak of multiple goal games to 14, with two of his own.

But the real fireworks on the damp evening kicked off after Brandon Matera tackled Angus Monfries high just before the main break.

Eade questions whistleblowers

Hartlett and Matthew Lobbe rushed in to remonstrate before Suns enforcer Tom Lynch sprinted in and barrelled Cam O'Shea with a crunching tackle.

That really sparked things.

As the pair wrestled on the ground, Lynch threw some right-handed punches, although it was impossible to tell if they connected.

The young Suns leader finished the half minus his guernsey that had been ripped off in the melee as it ended up in the hands of a spectator in the front row.

Revitalised Port leaves Hinkley wondering on season gone begging

Jasper Pittard returned in kind for the Power slipping in a couple of uppercuts to Lynch as he wrestled with O'Shea.

"The boys were saying Lynchy was getting a bit grumpy ... but I think there was the right spirit in the contest - that's what happens when you play contested football," Port coach Ken Hinkley said of the melee.

Hinkley did not want to wonder what might have been despite his side's resurgent season finish after their top-eight hopes were dashed.

"If we had played that style of play for most of the year, we might have found ourselves in a different position," he said.

"The most pleasing part is we have played the way Port Adelaide should have played.

"It's hard to remain alive in the mind when the season is gone but they have been able to do that."

Once things returned to normal after the main break, Port took control, dominating the inside 50s 66-40, without ever really putting the plucky Suns away.

Gold Coast got within six points before the Power kicked four straight goals to win just their sixth third quarter of the season.

Their fifth win in six matches moved them to an 11-10 win-loss record ahead of a final round showdown with Fremantle at Adelaide Oval.

The much anticipated outing of Charlie Dixon had its moments, as the out-of-contract Suns forward – in the crosshairs of the Power – kicked three goals from limited opportunities.

Kade Kolodjashnij (27 disposals) Brandon Matera (26) and Aaron Hall (24) got most of the ball for the hosts.

Despite winning the free kick count (26-24), Suns coach Rodney Eade was unhappy with the whistleblowers after the match.

"(It was) one way I thought," Eade said.

"(I'd) certainly like some of our forwards to get protection at times, (that would) be handy.

"I think I might talk to (umpires boss) Wayne Campbell during the week about that."

The Suns and Power engage in a half-time melee at Metricon Stadium. Picture: AFL Media

GOLD COAST           2.2   4.3   6.4       7.9     (51)
PORT ADELAIDE      2.4   6.9  10.11  12.16  (88)

GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Dixon 3, Matera 2, Lynch, Day,
Port Adelaide: Amon 3, Wingard 2, Westhoff 2, White 2, Ryder, Ah Chee, Ebert

BEST
Gold Coast: Hall, Malceski, Lonergan, Matera, Rischitelli, Kolodjashnij
Port Adelaide: S.Gray, Hartlett, R.Gray, Amon, Ebert, Broadbent, Wingard

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Russell (ribs), Cameron (concussion), Bennell (calf), Hall (back)
Port Adelaide: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Danny Stanley replaced Luke Russell in the third quarter
Port Adelaide: Aaron Young replaced Angus Monfries at three-quarter time

Reports: Nil

Umpires: O'Gorman, Deboy, H. Ryan, Armstrong

Official crowd: 9,343 at Metricon Stadium