POWERFUL last-quarter running and a courageous goal to Chad Wingard has helped Port Adelaide to an exceptional 14-point win over West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.
The Power kicked three goals to one in a dominant last quarter to overrun the Eagles 10.10 (70) to 7.14 (56) in front of 35,366 fans.
Port Adelaide registered 22 inside 50s to six in the final term and finished with great composure under pressure in two key moments.
Hamish Hartlett converted a clutch set shot in the second minute of the quarter after fortuitously being paid a juggling mark that Eric Mackenzie had first hands on.
Chad Wingard then received a free kick deep inside 50 after a crude front on hit from Darren Glass that is certain to be looked at by the Match Review Panel.
Wingard took several minutes to catch his breath but went back and calmly slotted the goal to extend the margin to 14 points and all but shut out West Coast.
"That was a pretty special last quarter from Chad," Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said.
"He's capable of that [and] that’s why I turned to him. I asked him for what I know he can deliver.
"How brave he was going back with that flight of the ball where he's been hit really hard and been able to gather his thoughts.
"He was a pretty important part of the last quarter."
The Eagles will be left to rue missed chances in front of goal early with Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy dangerous but kicking a wasteful 3.8 between them.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson said the misses were costly.
"It speaks for itself, doesn't it?” Simpson said.
"More scoring shots, you lose the game. No one likes to see that stat.
"But having said that I think Port deserved the win. In the last quarter they found a way and we didn't."
The home side’s injury list also extended further when Xavier Ellis was subbed out of the game in the opening term with a calf problem. Simpson said the issue was “low-grade” but he is expected to miss games.
Port Adelaide made a blistering start in the opening term exposing West Coast with speed.
Brad Ebert kicked the opening goal after the Power went coast to coast from a kick-in. Matt White burned past Glass for Port's second before Ebert again found space to open up an 18-point lead.
The Eagles overcame missed opportunities and grabbed the momentum by maintaining possession and locking the ball in their forward half.
Sharrod Wellingham kicked a skilful goal on the run and Kennedy broke a string of behinds with his only goal to cut the margin to six points at the first change.
The high-speed play continued in the second term with Darling rising to the fore. He kicked two goals and was involved in everything with ferocious chasing, tackling, and strong marking but was let down by his finishing.
Darling kicked two goals from four opportunities to give West Coast a two-point lead at half-time.
The game was locked down in the third term as both sides set up strong defensive structures that were difficult to break through. Chris Masten kicked the first goal of the quarter at the 14-minute mark after the Eagles broke through the Power's press.
Robbie Gray lifted late in the term with back-to-back goals from strong marks to give Port a one-point lead at the last change.
Port Adelaide finished stronger to register its fourth win of the year and entrench itself in the top four.
Elliott Yeo tries to break a tackle during the fast-paced clash against Port. Picture: AFL Media
WEST COAST 2.5 5.8 6.12 7.14 (56)
PORT ADELAIDE 3.5 5.6 7.7 10.10 (70)
GOALS
West Coast: Darling 2, Kennedy, Wellingham, Masten, Cox, Cripps.
Port Adelaide: Ebert 2, R Gray 2, Schulz 2, White, Lobbe, Hartlett, Wingard.
BEST
West Coast: Darling, Priddis, Bennell, Glass, Hutchings, Shuey, Rosa.
Port Adelaide: Gray, Ebert, Carlile, Cassisi, Hartlett, Polec.
INJURIES
West Coast: Ellis (calf)
Port Adelaide: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Dom Sheed replaced Xavier Ellis (calf) in the first quarter.
Port Adelaide: Aaron Young replaced Sam Gray at three-quarter time.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Farmer, Foot
Official crowd: 35,366 at Patersons Stadium
