The Power completely dominated the midfield and stoppages, smashing Adelaide at both the clearances and hit-outs, eventually running out comfortable winners 15.15. (105) to 12.7. (79).
Dean Brogan won the Showdown medal after claiming 27 hit-outs, while Kane Cornes collected 37 possessions.
Warren Tredrea was again in good form with three majors, and his goal kicking efforts were matched by Daniel Motlop and Robbie Gray.
Adelaide never gave up, Bernie Vince was outstanding with 29 touches and Jason Porplyzia booted three goals to make it 16 straight for the season, but he craved a tall and experienced teammate to work off and the Power’s superior clearance work (42-22) laid the foundation for their victory.
Adelaide did jump to an early two-goal lead, but in the blink of an eye Port were in front, Daniel Motlop and Warren Tredrea both converting set shots.
The former skipper was the most dangerous forward on the ground in the first term, booting his second in the 17th minute, and the Power should have been more than 10 points up at the first change with Motlop and Brett Ebert spurning kickable chances.
Motlop booted a second in the opening minute of the second term, forcing Adelaide coach Neil Craig to push Simon Goodwin into the backline, reducing the Crows’ firepower up forward.
Adelaide needed goals from other sources, and midfielder Bernie Vince delivered with two inside a minute, tripling his tally for the year and bringing the Crows within four points.
But Port hit back through Ebert, Tom Logan getting one of several important touches when he ran hard to earn the footy, and handballed to his unmarked teammate in the goal square.
It was through another mid-sized player that Adelaide replied, Michael Doughty kicking a magnificent goal from 48m on an acute angle.
Port’s targets up forward enabled them to finish the half stronger. Tredrea kicked his third, and then gave a lovely assist to Danyle Pearce, who snapped a spectacular goal on the left at full tilt. Robbie Gray’s first then gave the Power a 22-point lead the long break.
The Power’s stronger bodies and quick midfield were dominating at the stoppages with 19 clearances to nine and a similar success rate at the hit-outs (19 to 10) with Kane Cornes collecting 18 possessions to half time.
The sides traded early goals in the third term, Chad Cornes’ effort after 19 seconds was answered by teenager Jared Petrenko, playing in his first Showdown.
The packed house had to wait 15 minutes for the next major. Cornes capitalised on great build-up work down the flank, mirroring his first six-pointer when he ran into an open goal, launched the Sherrin into the stands, and gave a trademark fist-pump to the Power faithful.
Jason Porplyzia made it 15 goals without a miss this season to keep the Crows in touch, but Port just wouldn’t let them any closer, Pearce restoring the five-goal buffer with his second as teammate Hamish Hartlett went up the race with a hamstring injury.
Some ill-discipline from Michael Pettigrew gifted Petrenko his second of the term when he was unceremoniously dumped after marking, and Taylor Walker spurned a great chance to bring the Crows closer than 25 points at three-quarter time, just bending his snap too far left.
Adelaide needed to score first in the final term, but ruckman Brendon Lade punctuated an otherwise quiet evening with a strong mark and goal early on to settle the nerves of Port fans.
A minute later Daniel Motlop literally stole the Sherrin from the top of a pack in the goal square, pirouetted in mid air, and ran on to boot his third from point-blank range – capping the incredible play with an elaborate celebration.
When Robbie Gray kicked his second in the 10th minute the Power led by 43 points and were little chance of being headed, but the Crows never gave up, and managed the four of the final five goals through Porplyzia, Patrick Dangerfield and Walker.
PORT ADELAIDE 3.4 8.6 11.12 15.15 (105)
ADELAIDE 2.0 5.2 8.5 12.7 (79)
Goals
Port Adelaide: Warren Tredrea 3, Daniel Motlop 3, Robbie Gray 3, Chad Cornes 2, Danyle Pearce 2, Brett Ebert, Brendon Lade
Adelaide: Jason Porplyzia 3, Bernie Vince 2, Jared Petrenko 2, Patrick Dangerfield 2, Scott Thompson, Michael Doughty, Taylor Walker
Best
Port Adelaide: Dean Brogan, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek, Daniel Motlop, Warren Tredrea, Tom Logan, Kane Cornes
Adelaide: Bernie Vince, Nathan Bock, Scott Thompson, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko
Injuries
Port Adelaide: Hamish Hartlett (hamstring)
Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Chamberlain, Kamolins
Official crowd: 41,558 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
