THIS was the performance Port Adelaide had been searching for.
Branded 'pretenders' after losing their fifth game against a top-eight opponent last round, the Power desperately needed a response.
And they found it with a stirring 32-point victory over finals rivals West Coast at Domain Stadium on Sunday.
Led by star ruckman Paddy Ryder and spearhead Charlie Dixon, who booted five goals, the Power stamped themselves as genuine contenders in this wide-open 2017 premiership race.
Exacting some revenge for a home loss to the Eagles in round seven, Port overran West Coast with an eight-goal-to-three final term to clinch a crucial 18.12 (120) to 13.10 (88) triumph.
Just like they did at Adelaide Oval earlier this season, the Ryder-Dixon combination caused the Eagles all sorts of headaches.
Five talking points: West Coast v Port Adelaide
Only this time their efforts led to a rousing interstate victory that lifted Port to a 9-6 record and into the top four.
Ryder (39 hit-outs, two goals) jumped all over Nathan Vardy and returning big man Scott Lycett, kickstarting the Power's stunning four-goal surge from the opening bounce.
Then when the contest was on the line with scores level at the final change, the spring-heeled Port star reignited Ken Hinkley's outfit.
"He's a pretty special player," Hinkley said post-match.
"I love him, I can't help that.
"He's the best ruckman in the competition and we're lucky to have him back this year and he's just dominating games week in, week out."
Terrific effort from Robbie Gray! #AFLEaglesPower pic.twitter.com/cLD5nGVRkO
— AFL (@AFL) July 9, 2017
Dixon's fourth major put the Power ahead early in the last term, and gun teammate Robbie Gray (three goals) – held goalless by Brad Sheppard last time – hammered the final nails in West Coast's coffin with two clutch set shots.
Dixon iced the cake with his fifth in time-on, securing Port's second win from five appearances in Perth.
Former West Coast midfielder Brad Ebert (31 disposals), Chad Wingard (21, one goal), Ollie Wines (28, one) and Travis Boak (25, one) were in everything for Port, while Justin Westhoff (two goals) was a powerhouse in the air.
West Coast's engine room competed – with Andrew Gaff (28 dispsosals), Luke Shuey (seven clearances) and Elliot Yeo (21 possessions) giving their all – but the Eagles' backline eventually buckled under the weight of inside 50s (60-42).
The Eagles will be kicking themselves for coughing up their third loss in four games at their one-time fortress.
Adam Simpson's men had complete control of the contest in the second term, booting seven unanswered goals as maligned trio Jack Darling (four goals), Mark LeCras (four) and Lewis Jetta (two) brought the home crowd to life.
That's a monster from Lewis Jetta! Hits the crowd with the Ronaldo celebration too. #AFLEaglesPower pic.twitter.com/XgwaKtvmHq
— AFL (@AFL) July 9, 2017
From 23 points down just 12 minutes into the contest, the Eagles soared to a four-goal break at the 18-minute mark of the second stanza.
Darling carried on his resurgence from last round's upset of the Western Bulldogs, and LeCras ended the longest goal-drought of his career with his first major in five games.
But Ryder steadied the ship before half-time and a captain's goal from Travis Boak had Port in touch at the long break, despite Ebert and young gun Sam Powell-Pepper being sidelined for extended periods by shoulder issues.
Powell-Pepper needed treatment in the rooms after barreling into an unaware Yeo but bravely returned to play his part in a gutsy triumph.
Sam Powell-Pepper injured his shoulder in this contest. #AFLEaglesPower pic.twitter.com/78UqA2yB9w
— AFL (@AFL) July 9, 2017
West Coast coach Adam Simpson lamented his side's inability to play four quarters, and said the ninth-placed Eagles won't play finals unless they can become consistent.
"Just through weight of numbers in all areas we weren't good enough in the second half and until we can do it for four quarters we're going to look inconsistent," Simpson said.
"We put a lot of energy and effort into that first half without true reward, but that's footy, you've got to be able to do it all the time.
"Until we do that, we won't play finals."
For the Eagles, there is plenty of soul-searching to do ahead of the final Western Derby at Domain Stadium next Sunday.
Veteran Drew Petrie faces a nervous wait to see if he can take his place in his first Derby after a high bump on Matt White in the third quarter.
However, West Coast should have a readymade replacement in spearhead Josh Kennedy, who is expected to finally return after five games out battling a calf injury.
Drew Petrie gave away two free kicks in the late stages of the third quarter. #AFLEaglesPower pic.twitter.com/xGxpYadJAe
— AFL (@AFL) July 9, 2017
MEDICAL ROOM
West Coast: The Eagles appeared to get through unscathed.
Port Adelaide: Ken Hinkley expects Sam Powell-Pepper to be fine for the looming clash with North Melbourne.
NEXT UP
The Power return home and will be looking to consolidate their top-four spot with a victory over struggling North Melbourne this Saturday, while the Eagles are facing a must-win Western Derby – the last ever at Domain Stadium – on Sunday.
Tom Jonas saved a likely goal with some strong defensive efforts. #AFLEaglesPower pic.twitter.com/RKcRjvTgyo
— AFL (@AFL) July 9, 2017
WEST COAST 4.4 7.7 10.8 13.10 (88)
PORT ADELAIDE 4.0 6.2 10.8 18.12 (120)
GOALS
West Coast: Darling 4, LeCras 4, Jetta 2, Petrie, Vardy, Cripps
Port Adelaide: Dixon 5, Gray 3, Westhoff 2, Trengove 2, Ryder 2, Wines, Wingard, Boak, Hartlett
BEST
West Coast: Gaff, Darling, Jetta, Mitchell, Duggan, LeCras
Port Adelaide: Ryder, Dixon, Wingard, Ebert, Westhoff, Trengove
INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Port Adelaide: Powell-Pepper (shoulder)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Dalgleish, Harris, Pannell
Official crowd: 36,766
The siren has sounded to end Q4.
BEHINDPower (Ollie Wines)
GOALPower (Paddy Ryder)
A dominate second half has enabled Port Adelaide to run away with this game. They have won the contested possessions by 11, clearances by 4 and inside 50's by 19; resulting in 10 more scores.
GOALPower (Jackson Trengove)
Charlie Dixon has 7 marks inside 50, 8 score involvements and 5 goals today.
GOALEagles (Jamie Cripps)
Snap (0-15m, Right Side)
Port Adelaide has now created 20 forward half intercepts in this half to the Eagles 3. From these chains they have generated 5.5.35 to 0.1.1
GOALPower (Charlie Dixon)
BEHINDPower (Jared Polec)
BEHINDPower (Sam Powell-Pepper)
BEHINDPower (Rushed)
BEHINDEagles (Sharrod Wellingham)
BEHINDEagles (Rushed)
In the second half, Port Adelaide leads the time in forward half by 40nd inside 50's by 19. Subsequently, they have created 4.4.28 from attacking midfield chains to West Coast's 0.0.0
GOALPower (Robbie Gray)
GOALEagles (Nathan Vardy)
GOALPower (Robbie Gray)
Justin Westhoff has arguably been the best player on the ground since half time. He has had a gamehigh 6 score involvements, two marks inside 50 and two goals.
GOALPower (Justin Westhoff)
That was the 8th goal from a stoppage for Port Adelaide. They are ranked number one in the competition for generating scores from this source.
GOALPower (Jackson Trengove)
In contrast to the first half, West Coast has launched three of their four second half goals from their defensive half.
GOALEagles (Mark LeCras)
GOALPower (Charlie Dixon)
Q4 is now underway.
The siren has sounded to end Q3.
GOALEagles (Lewis Jetta)
Chad Wingard has had an influential quarter with a gamehigh 9 disposals, 4 clearances and 4 score involvements.
GOALPower (Justin Westhoff)
BEHINDPower (Justin Westhoff)
Port Adelaide lead the tackle count 18 to 5 this quarter and with this pressure, the Eagles kicking efficiency has dropped to 62 per cent.
BEHINDPower (Robbie Gray)
BEHINDPower (Hamish Hartlett)
Port Adelaide lead the inside 50's (104) and clearances (7-5) this quarter. As a result, they have launched 2.1.13 to 0.0.0 from stoppages this quarter.
GOALPower (Charlie Dixon)
Liam Duggan has been extremely influential with a gamehigh 395 metres gained, 5 intercepts and four inside 50's.
GOALEagles (Matt Priddis)
BEHINDPower (Sam Powell-Pepper)
BEHINDPower (Rushed)
Three of Port Adelaide's last four goals have been sourced from attacking midfield intercepts. The Power have launched the third most goals from this zone in the competition.
GOALPower (Hamish Hartlett)
Both of the Eagles goals have been sourced from defensive half intercepts. They have been extremely effective at creating turnovers in this zone with 16 intercept marks.
GOALEagles (Drew Petrie)
Charlie Dixon and Jack Darling have both been effective up forward with 3 marks inside 50 each, however Darling has 4 goals to Dixon's 2.
BEHINDPower (Charlie Dixon)
GOALPower (Charlie Dixon)
GOALEagles (Jack Darling)
Q3 is now underway.
Both teams have relied on territory dominance to generate scores with 10 out of the 12 goals sourced from forward half chains.
West Coast were more dominate in this area winning the time in forward half by 14 per cent and creating 14 more inside 50's. They were also more effective from turnovers, launching 7 more scores from this source.
The siren has sounded to end Q2.
GOALPower (Travis Boak)
West Coast have struggled to convert their opportunities from the left side of goal with a goal kicking efficiency of just 16 per cent. Whilst, Port Adelaide have been more efficient in front of goal with an efficiency of 71 per cent.
BEHINDPower (Chad Wingard)
That goal came from Port Adelaide's 4th inside 50 of the quarter and their first from a kickin. In contrast, West Coast has created 17 intercepts and launched 9 inside 50's from this source.
GOALPower (Paddy Ryder)
BEHINDEagles (Dom Sheed)
BEHINDEagles (Jamie Cripps)
Luke Shuey has four clearances for the quarter and West Coast lead the count by 4. They have launched 9 more inside 50's this quarter and converted 27 per cent of these into a goal.
Port Adelaide InterchangeSam Powell-Pepper off due to an injury.
Port Adelaide InterchangeBrad Ebert off due to an injury.
BEHINDEagles (Jack Darling)
Andrew Gaff is relishing in the open spaces of Domain with a gamehigh 12 uncontested possessions at 92 per cent efficiency. In the forward line, Jack Darling has 3 marks inside 50 and 3.1.19.
The Eagles have won the time in forward half by 40 per cent this quarter, creating 4 more inside 50's and launching a goal from 50 per cent of these entries.
GOALEagles (Jack Darling)
West Coast now has the last six goals, including three from attacking midfield intercepts. They have launched an inside 50 from 80 per cent of these chains and converted 50 per cent into a score.
GOALEagles (Mark LeCras)
On the Run (0-15m, Corridor)
GOALEagles (Jack Darling)
Snap (30-40m, Corridor)
West Coast pressure has increased dramatically since Port's 4th goal, applying 16 tackles to 5.
BEHINDPower (Jackson Trengove)
Q2 is now underway.
In a battle of momentum, Port Adelaide kicked the first 4 goals including 3 from forward 50 stoppages However from the 13th minute onward, West Coast won the clearances by 5, inside 50's by 5 and launched 4 goals from forward half chains.
The siren has sounded to end Q1.
BEHINDEagles (Liam Duggan)
The Eagles have now created two goals from 6 attacking midfield intercepts. Luke Shuey has been instrumental in this time with 5 disposals, 3 inside 50's and 3 score involvements.
GOALEagles (Lewis Jetta)
BEHINDEagles (Rushed)
West Coast is dominating the last 5 minutes, winning all 3 centre bounce clearances, creating 3 inside 50's and launching two goals from stoppages.
GOALEagles (Mark LeCras)
GOALEagles (Mark LeCras)
West Coast has found a mark inside 50 from 4 of their 7 entries inside 50 and have converted 50 per cent of their set shots on goal.
GOALEagles (Jack Darling)
BEHINDEagles (Mark Hutchings)
Port Adelaise has won 7 of the first 9 clearances and have launched 5 inside 50's from this source. Three of there 1st four goals have come from this source.
GOALPower (Chad Wingard)
Snap (15-30m, Right Side)
GOALPower (Robbie Gray)
Since Round 11, West Coast has averaged the 3rd most points per game from centre clearances. Their first score to Jeremy McGovern was generated from this source.
BEHINDEagles (Jeremy McGovern)
GOALPower (Charlie Dixon)
All four clearances of this game; 3 to Port and 1 to West Coast have been directly intercepted by the opposing team.
Port Adelaide has won the first 2 clearances, 3 inside 50's and created one goal from a forward half intercept to start the game.
GOALPower (Ollie Wines)
Q1 is now underway.
Since 2012, West Coast has scored from 51 per cent of its forward 50 entries against the Power. This is third highest percentage against the Power in this time.
The Power have won the first possession at a centre bounce stoppage 48 per cent of the time this season. This is the highest percentage of any side in the competition this season.
Don't forget to enter your tips for this match, you have until the bounce to make your selection.
Ins for Power: J.Hombsch, J.Atley
Outs for Power: J.Neade, M.Broadbent
Ins for Eagles: S.Hurn, M.Priddis, M.LeCras, S.Lycett
Outs for Eagles: S.Butler, C.Masten, J.Redden, T.Cole
Welcome to Domain Stadium for the West Coast Eagles v Port Adelaide Round 16 clash.