PORT Adelaide has survived a massive scare from a gallant Brisbane to continue its perfect start to the season.
On a hot Saturday afternoon at Adelaide Oval, the Power slowed to a walk in the last quarter before hanging on by five points – 14.13 (97) to 14.8 (92) – in front of a crowd of 36,363.
Lions ruckman Stefan Martin – the best player on the ground – had the last kick of the game as he attempted to find a teammate inside the forward 50, but Power defender Dougal Howard grabbed the mark as the final siren went.
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Allen Christensen had the chance to win it with just over a minute remaining, but his snap fell just short with Jared Polec taking a match-saving mark on the line.
WATCH: The thrilling final two minutes
After trailing by 11 points at half-time, the Power booted six of the next seven goals to open up a 23-point lead at the 27-minute mark of the third term.
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But the rebuilding Lions, who lost skipper Dayne Beams to illness pre-match, showed a lot of fight to boot the only three goals of the last term to give the Power an almighty fright.
Power coach Ken Hinkley was relieved his side grinded out its third straight win.
"I'm really happy to win still because we know how close the competition is," Hinkley said.
"Brisbane, to their credit, kept at us all day.
"There were times we felt like we were going to break them, and then they just kept coming back and they showed some significant steps the last part of last year, and the start of this year.
"We said they were going to be a challenge, but people don't always believe it."
Power small forward Sam Gray booted three goals and Steven Motlop kicked two in a balanced attack featuring 11 different goal-kickers.
WATCH: Gray's clever snap
Winger Polec was outstanding with a team-high 29 possessions, Ollie Wines overcame an ankle scare to dominate in tight (25possessions, 11 contested), Hamish Hartlett had 26 off half-back, while Brad Ebert (23 possessions, 14 contested) restricted Lions star Dayne Zorko to 19 touches.
Martin (30 possessions, 14 contested, 48 hit-outs and nine inside 50s) had a field day against veteran Power swingman Justin Westhoff, filling in for injured club champion Paddy Ryder.
Tom Cutler – a late inclusion for skipper Beams – made the most of his chance with 21 disposals, Mitch Robinson worked hard (23 disposals) and former Adelaide forward Charlie Cameron booted three goals in his return to Adelaide Oval.
The Power were hot favourites to win their first three games of the season for the first time since 2013, but the young Lions – who showed positive signs in losses to St Kilda (by 25 points) and Melbourne (by 26 points) – had other ideas.
They were outstanding in the second quarter with their run and carry, along with playing excellent team defence to shut down the Power.
Five goals to three in the term gave the Lions a surprise 11-point advantage at the long break.
WATCH: Robertson launches a long goal
The Power responded through Justin Westhoff, Jack Watts and former Lions skipper Tom Rockliff – in his first game against his old club – to put their noses in front.
Cutler got one back for the Lions, but three straight to Sam Gray, Ebert and skipper Travis Boak gave the Power a bit of breathing room.
A late goal to Cedric Cox put the Lions back within 18 points at the last change.
The intensity ramped up when the 2016 No.3 draft pick Hugh McCluggage booted his second goal of the game to keep the Lions close.
Eric Hipwood's goal in the 18th minute narrowed the margin to 10 points as the visitors refused to go away.
And when Hipwood beat Howard back towards goal and converted, it was back to a four-point game at the 23-minute mark.
"I think the average losing margin at the Adelaide Oval was 91 points wasn't it? So I'm really proud of our blokes today for the effort they put in," Lions coach Chris Fagan said after the game.
"In the end, Port had more inside 50s and more shots, but at the same time we had our chances to win that game, just with a little bit more composure here and there.
"We'll take away plenty from the game, we'll learn a lot from it, we'll get some confidence from it."
WATCH: Ebert's long roost
MEDICAL ROOM
Port Adelaide: Vice-captain Ollie Wines rolled his right ankle late in the second quarter and went straight to the bench for treatment. The tough midfielder returned to start the third quarter and finished the game. "He should be fine. He came back out to play, pulled up clean from the game so I don't think there will be any issues," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.
Brisbane: The Lions reported a clean bill of health. No.1 draft pick Cameron Rayner came to the bench in the third quarter with a cut near his eye, but finished the game.
NEXT UP
The Power have an eight-break before they face Essendon at Etihad Stadium next Sunday. The Lions are on the road for the second week in a row, taking on reigning premiers Richmond at the MCG next Saturday.
PORT ADELAIDE 4.6 7.7 14.8 14.13 (97)
BRISBANE 4.0 9.6 11.8 14.8 (92)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: S.Gray 3, Motlop 2, Dixon, R.Gray, Marshall, Wingard, Westhoff, Watts, Rockliff, Ebert, Boak
Brisbane: Cameron 3, Hipwood 3, McCluggage 2, Robertson, Christensen, Rayner, Zorko, Cutler, Cox
BEST
Port Adelaide: S.Gray, Polec, Wines, Hartlett, Ebert, Wingard
Brisbane: Martin, Cutler, Zorko, Robinson, Hodge, Hipwood, Christensen
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Wines (ankle)
Brisbane: D.Beams (illness) replaced in the selected side by Tom Cutler
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Meredith, Harris, Mitchell
Official crowd: 36,363 at the Adelaide Oval
