IT WAS always going to be a potentially tricky assignment for Port Adelaide against the Western Bulldogs in icy, windswept Ballarat on Sunday.

For the Power, who'd lost their previous two games, the equation was simple: a win over the battling Bulldogs would lift them back into the top four, while a loss could have cut them down to eighth.

Inclement conditions have been known to lessen the gap between teams, and those presented at Mars Stadium were the kind that only the most passionate supporters brave, and only the most committed players conquer.

The Bulldogs were certainly committed but Port Adelaide boasted a few bigger bodies – chief among them power forward Charlie Dixon (five goals) – and some extra polish to prevail by 44 points – 11.12 (78) to 5.4 (34) – in a waterlogged slog.

POWER PULL AWAY Full match coverage and stats

The win lifts Port up to fourth place, level with third-placed Collingwood on 48 points and half a game ahead of Greater Western Sydney in fifth place.

"At this time of year, every win is crucial. We've seen how close it (the ladder) is," Power coach Ken Hinkley said post-match.

"We had an opportunity to go to equal-third on the ladder or eighth at the end of today, and we still know how close it is. It's really important at this stage of the year."

SHOWREEL Charlie dominates the Dogs

Bulldogs counterpart Luke Beveridge said his team's inexperience had again been telling.

"There’s probably eight to 10, maybe even a dozen boys who are still trying to find their way in the game and establish themselves as AFL footballers, and when you’ve got that it's quite difficult to connect as a 22 for a quarter, let alone four," Beveridge said.

"(We want) to continue to search for some foundations for next year."

On a difficult day for tall forwards, Dixon reigned supreme, impacting with some heavy bullocking work and clever dish-offs early before hitting the scoreboard.

Power wingman Jared Polec (32 possessions) provided terrific rebound run, Ollie Wines (26) and Sam Powell-Pepper were brutal in the clinches, speedy pair Chad Wingard (25 and a goal) and Steven Motlop (one goal and three score assists) were typically creative, while defender Jack Hombsch didn't see much of the action but set a new record for playing at the most AFL venues (20).

Port's ruck issues were solved by the return of Paddy Ryder, although his opponent, former teammate Jackson Trengove, kicked two of the Dogs' four first-half goals and finished with 22 touches.

Midfielders Jack Macrae (36 touches and 12 clearances) and Lachie Hunter (35) were the two constants for the Bulldogs, while ex-Docker Hayden Crozier (22) played perhaps his best game for the club across half-back.

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Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli, who captained his team in his 100th game after missing the past fortnight following surgery to remove his appendix, was workmanlike, but fellow leader Jason Johannisen was barely sighted.

The Bulldogs, who were restricted to their lowest ever score against Port, have lost nine of their past 10 games, including each of their past four by an average of 53 points.

Despite the arctic atmosphere, Port had every right to be confident given it had won its previous two games against the Dogs – firstly in their only other clash at Ballarat in round 22 last year, and then a 57-point victory at Adelaide Oval just six weeks ago.

However, it was clear from the outset that this would be a harder fought contest, with Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis goaling from the arc in the opening minute with a strong breeze at his back favouring the western end of the ground.

The teams went goal for goal in the opening half – albeit just four apiece – as the heavy ball at times resembled a bar of soap and play was often bottled up on the dead southern side.

Hard, percentage football was the order of the day – finessing was risky – in what became a territory battle with goals at a premium.

At half-time Port Adelaide dominated the inside 50s 36-22 but led by just four points.

The visitors got more reward for effort after the break, and in the third term – which has been their strongest quarter this season – they produced a decisive three-goal spurt to lead by 23 points.

The Dogs had the next 12 inside 50s and clawed back to within 14 points by three-quarter-time to give them a glimmer of hope.

Star forward duo Dixon and Robbie Gray sealed the deal with brilliant goals early in the final term, as Port added seven goals to one in the second half, and 4.6 to nothing in the final term.

MEDICAL ROOM
Western Bulldogs: Big man Jordan Roughead received a cut to the head but was bandaged up and sent back into the action.
Port Adelaide: Defender Tom Jonas left the field and had his left knee strapped but returned to the fray and played out the game.

NEXT UP
The Power face a six-day break before taking on crosstown rival Adelaide in what promises to be another fiercely fought Showdown at Adelaide Oval in the twilight timeslot on Saturday, while there are also just six days before the Bulldogs play an improving St Kilda at Etihad Stadium that night.

WESTERN BULLDOGS          2.0     4.0     5.4     5.4 (34) 
PORT ADELAIDE                  2.2     4.4     7.6    11.12 (78)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Trengove 2, Wallis, Greene, Schache
Port Adelaide: Dixon 5, Watts, Westhoff, Motlop, Wingard, Gray, Farrell

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Trengove, Macrae, Hunter, Dunkley
Port Adelaide: Dixon, Polec, Ebert, Wingard, Motlop, Wines

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: Roughead (head)
Port Adelaide: Hombsch (left knee)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stephens, Pannell, Glouftsis 

Official crowd: 6,450 at Mars Stadium