PORT Adelaide has survived an incredible final-term surge from Sydney to record a thrilling 10-point victory at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.   

The Power were 15 points up at three-quarter time, but the Swans came to life in the fourth quarter thanks to a vintage performance from Lance Franklin.

POWER v SWANS Full match coverage and stats

Buddy was back to his lively best, kicking the first three goals of the term to give Sydney the lead, but Port Adelaide was able to steady through a goal to injury sub Sam Mayes.

Ruckman Scott Lycett then coolly slotted a goal off one step in the 26th minute to seal a pulsating 12.9 (81) to 10.11 (71) victory.

Travis Boak (30 touches and a goal) and Ollie Wines (29 touches and eight clearances) starred for the Power, while Franklin (four goals) and Luke Parker (34 touches and a goal) were influential for the Swans.

The first term was a free-flowing shootout, with both sides combining to kick nine goals for the quarter.

Sydney’s pressure and quick ball movement caused headaches for Port Adelaide’s defence early, with an efficient Swans outfit kicking 4.1 from their first five inside 50s.

But a late goal to Sam Powell-Pepper helped cut Sydney’s lead to six points at quarter-time.

The second quarter slowed down considerably as rain started to pour across the ground, however, it was the Power that slowly regained control on the scoreboard with three goals, including two to a dangerous Charlie Dixon.

The Swans dominated the inside 50 count for the term 17 to nine, but could not mimic their first-quarter efficiency, kicking only a single goal thanks to a classy long-range bomb from Tom Papley.

Port made a hot start to the second half, locking the ball in its front half and kicking the first two goals of the third term through Travis Boak and Miles Bergman.

Just when the Power looked to be on top, Luke Parker took a strong mark deep in the forward pocket and converted to keep Sydney in the contest.

But while the Swans were full of energy and run in the final term, the Power showed enough composure in the end to hold on and climb back into the top four. 

Farrell bomb sparks Power
Port Adelaide were on the backfoot to start the game, with Sydney kicking four of the first six goals and impressing with quick and precise ball movement. The Power needed a spark, and Kane Farrell delivered, with a stunning running bomb from well outside 50 that sailed through the goals. The Power proceeded to kick three of the next four goals to gain control of the contest. 

Buddy on report
Lance Franklin is facing a nervous wait from the Match Review after being reported for an incident in the first quarter. Buddy ran forward into Jarrod Lienert, who had his head over the ball, and made high front-on contact with the Port defender. The incident did not look overly severe though, with Lienert continuing to play out the game. 

Lycett the unlikely hero
With Port Adelaide just three points up with two minutes remaining in the final term, Power fans were praying for another goal to secure victory in the dying stages. Enter Scott Lycett. The ruckman proved an unlikely hero, calmly kicking the match winner off a single step to send the crowd into a frenzy. Lycett was swiftly mobbed by his teammates near the boundary line and celebrated with a fist pump towards the crowd.

PORT ADELAIDE    4.3   7.4   10.6    12.9 (81)
SYDNEY                  5.3   6.6    7.9     10.11 (71)

GOALS 
Port Adelaide: Dixon 2, Marshall, Rozee, Farrell, Powell-Pepper, Houston, Boak, Bergman, Marshall, Mayes, Lycett
Sydney: Franklin 4, Papley 2, Hayward 2, Gulden, Parker

BEST
Port Adelaide: Boak, Wines, Dixon, Houston, Bergman
Sydney: Franklin, Mills, Parker, Hayward, Papley 

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Hartlett (hip flexor) replaced in selected side by Frederick, McKenzie (shoulder)
Sydney: Nil      

SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Sam Mayes (replaced McKenzie)     
Sydney: Nick Blakey (unused)

REPORTS
Port Adelaide: Nil
Sydney: Franklin (reported for dangerous front-on contact with Lienert)

Crowd: TBC at Adelaide Oval