PORT Adelaide star Dan Houston is facing a lengthy suspension on the eve of the finals over a high bump on Izak Rankine in his side's 22-point win over arch-rival Adelaide.
Tensions boiled over when Houston laid out Rankine with a shirt-front during the third quarter of the Power's fiery 11.14 (80) to 8.10 (58) victory at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
POWER v CROWS Full match coverage and stats
Rankine was eventually helped to his feet and driven off the ground on a medical cart with concussion.
The high contact and damage inflicted on Rankine means All-Australian defender Houston is likely to be referred directly to the Tribunal, putting his participation in Port's finals campaign in doubt.
"To comment on that would be unfair," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.
"Thoughts (are with) Izak first and foremost, and hopefully he's OK.
"Dan is a very, very fair footballer. Split-second decisions unfortunately are right or wrong.
"We'll let the people make those decisions that need to make those decisions."
Zak Butters (42 disposals, 10 clearances) and Connor Rozee (28, nine) starred as the Power locked in a top-four spot with their victory, earning a finals double-chance for the fourth time in five seasons.
The result also snapped Port's three-match losing streak against the Crows and levelled the overall record between the South Australian rivals at 28-28.
Jason Horne-Francis was influential with 23 disposals, eight clearances and two goals, while Willie Rioli (three), Francis Evans and Darcy Byrne-Jones (two each) also kicked multiple majors.
Butters, Rozee, Ollie Wines and ruckman Jordon Sweet led Port to a convincing 52-38 win in clearances.
"It's satisfying because it puts us in a really good position for a season that we've worked damn hard for," Hinkley said.
"In an up and down season we find ourselves in a reasonable position, but we've got to win again next week."
Matt Crouch (29 touches), Jordan Dawson (26) and Rory Laird (24) were all busy for Adelaide as Rankine and Darcy Fogarty kicked two goals each.
The Crows led 6.6 to 4.9 at half-time but were held goalless in the third quarter and were out-scored seven goals to two in the second half.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks conceded his side didn't handle the Houston-Rankine flashpoint as well as they would have liked.
"It was a pretty good lesson for us in what it looks like when emotions are high and adrenaline is pumping," Nicks said.
"Every person in the stadium would've felt it. We weren't quite able to contain ourselves."
Josh Rachele lit the pre-match fuse on Adelaide radio when he claimed "Port supporters don't have many teeth" and said he didn't care if Power fans jeered him.
Rachele kicked a brilliant second-quarter goal and goaded the Port faithful by pointing to his teeth as he celebrated in their faces on the boundary line.
Willie Rioli and Jase Burgoyne both kicked majors from the goalsquare early in the last quarter to give the Power breathing space and they were a class above when it mattered.
Port has now won seven of its past eight games ahead of a final-round clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium, while Adelaide will complete its year against ladder leader Sydney at the SCG.
Houston's huge bump spells trouble
In an incident certain to attract MRO scrutiny, Power star Dan Houston is set to face multiple weeks on the sidelines after a crunching bump during the third quarter left Izak Rankine knocked out cold, leading to a huge all-in melee. The mercurial Crow will now miss Adelaide's final-round match against Sydney next week. With at least three more games remaining for Port this year - and possibly up to four - a lengthy suspension could mean it's the last time we see Houston in a Power jumper, with the 27-year-old set to request a trade back to Victoria at the end of the season.
Ssshhhhhh….
Josh Rachele put a target on his back with a joke on radio during the week about Port Adelaide supporters not having 'many teeth'. As if Showdowns needed any extra spice, the comments certainly lit a fuse under many Power fans, including The Round So Far and SEN host Kane Cornes, who challenged Rachele to 'get a kick' on Saturday night. Although he wasn't especially prominent, the 21-year-old had his moment when he slotted a great goal from 45m out before running to the crowd and pointing to his teeth late in the second term.
PORT ADELAIDE 2.3 4.9 6.12 11.14 (80)
ADELAIDE 2.5 6.6 6.10 8.10 (58)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Horne-Francis 2, F.Evans 2, Byrne-Jones 2, Rioli 2, Boak, Burgoyne, Butters
Adelaide: Rankine 2, Fogarty 2, Rachele, Thilthorpe, Hinge, Keays
BEST
Port Adelaide: Butters, Horne-Francis, Rozee, Wines, Burgoyne
Adelaide: Dawson, Crouch, Hinge, Laird
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Jones (Achilles soreness)
Adelaide: Rankine (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Quinton Narkle (replaced Lachie Jones in the third quarter)
Adelaide: Zac Taylor (replaced Izak Rankine in the third quarter)
Crowd: 52,459 at Adelaide Oval
