PORT Adelaide can't be trusted.

A week after upsetting ladder leader Geelong to loom large as a finals wildcard, the Power were expected to easily account for the 15th-placed Western Bulldogs, which were on a slide with four losses from their past five games.

But the Power fluffed their lines on a wet and wild Saturday night at Adelaide Oval to blow a chance to consolidate a spot in the top eight.

Ruckmen Tim English and Scott Lycett battle it out in the wet conditions. Picture: AFL Photos

The Bulldogs showed last week's strong performance – albeit in a loss to Collingwood – was no fluke, beating the Power by 25 points, 10.6 (66) to 5.11 (41).

Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli started brilliantly, making light of the greasy conditions.

He had 11 contested possessions, six clearances and four inside 50s in the first quarter before the Power applied a hard tag, with Ollie Wines and then Willem Drew staying close by.

BULLDOG BRILLIANCE Full match coverage and stats

'The Bont' had plenty of midfield help as Josh Dunkley and Jack Macrae found plenty of the pill.

Former No.2 draft pick Josh Schache had one of the best performances of his 46-game career, the 21-year-old key forward kicking three goals and taking some great contested marks inside the forward 50.

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Jason Johannisen and Caleb Daniel provided bounce out of defence, Bailey Smith and his glorious mullet were strong in the contest and injury-plagued youngster Roarke Smith was important – and mobbed by teammates when he kicked his first career goal after fighting his way back from two knee reconstructions.

The Bulldogs (6-8) are unlikely to feature in the finals, but they will be a thorn in the side if anyone dares take them lightly in the last eight rounds.

The brave 25,623 Power supporters who turned up in terrible conditions would be disappointed knowing their side now sits on a knife's edge ahead of next weekend's vital Showdown against cross-town rival Adelaide.

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The Power (eighth, 7-7) haven't won consecutive games since round five and six.

Power big man Scott Lycett dominated the hitouts and racked up a mountain of contested possessions, continuing to thrive as the Power's first-choice ruck after Paddy Ryder was overlooked for the second straight week, but it wasn't converted into an advantage in clearances.

The Bulldogs led the statistic 29-15 in the first half despite losing the hitouts 35-7, a pivotal reason, along with being more accurate in front of goal, why they led by 15 points – 5.2 (32) to 2.5 (17) - at the main break.

WATCH Bont puts on a masterclass in tough conditions

The Power's midfielders started to get on top in the third quarter.

Former skipper Travis Boak had 13 touches in the term and they won the clearance count 12-6 to keep themselves within touching distance at the final change.

Patrick Lipinski's goal at the 16-minute mark of the last quarter sealed victory for the Bulldogs.

Lipinski put some icing on the cake. Picture: AFL Photos

Vice-captain Hamish Hartlett, Darcy Byrne-Jones and Tom Clurey tried hard for the Power in defence.

Midfielder Tom Rockliff – who had 57 touches in the SANFL on Saturday – is certain to be recalled for the Showdown, while Ryder, veteran Justin Westhoff and Sam Powell-Pepper are waiting in the wings, along with Karl Amon and Dougal Howard, who return from suspension.

MEDICAL ROOM
Port Adelaide: Robbie Gray copped a knock to the groin early in the third quarter and came off the ground, but finished the game.
Western Bulldogs: Josh Schache came off the ground near the end of the third quarter with a gash to the head, but returned to play. Jason Johannisen spent time in the rooms at the start of the second quarter before returning early in the second term. 

NEXT UP
The Power turn their focus to cross-town rival Adelaide in Showdown 47 at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, while the Bulldogs host ladder leader Geelong at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

PORT ADELAIDE                 1.2     2.5     5.8     5.11     (41)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     3.2     5.2     8.3     10.6     (66) 

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Dixon 2, R.Gray, Ladhams, Rozee
Western Bulldogs: Schache 3, Lipinski 2, Dickson 2, Suckling, R.Smith, Macrae

BEST 
Port Adelaide: Lycett, Hartlett, Boak, Byrne-Jones
Western Bulldogs: Dunkley, Bontempelli, Macrae, Schache, B.Smith, Daniel, R.Smith 

INJURIES 
Port Adelaide: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil 

Reports: Nil 

Umpires: Dalgleish, Fleer, Mitchell 

Official crowd: 25,623 at Adelaide Oval