PORT Adelaide capitalised on Dustin Martin's absence, knocking off reigning premier Richmond by 14 points at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

With the Brownlow Medallist in New Zealand visiting his father and nursing a sore calf, the Tigers couldn't match the Power at the contest on their way to just their third loss of the season.

The Power booted seven goals to two in the second quarter to set up their seventh win of the year – 10.12 (72) to 8.10 (58) – in front of a crowd of 39,936.

A POWERFUL STATEMENT Full match coverage and stats

The Power's decision to throw enigmatic forward Chad Wingard into the midfield was a masterstroke, the two-time All Australian sparking to life with a game-high 31 disposals.

Out-of-contract midfielder Ollie Wines showed why the Power are so keen for his signature with a brilliant performance with 29 disposals (16 contested) 12 tackles, 10 Inside 50s and seven clearances, receiving great support from bash brother Sam Powell-Pepper (28 disposals).

Winger Jared Polec (28, 16 contested) provided plenty of run on the outside and veteran Justin Westhoff had 23 disposals and three goals, all in the first half.

"It's pleasing we played a good, strong game of football," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

"The first half we got things the way we liked them, the second half was a real battle.

"Anytime you play Richmond and get four points, it's a real bonus."

It was the first time the Tigers were without Martin since round 22, 2014 and they lost the contested possession count 154-187.

CHAD FLIES BACK TO FORM Five talking points

All three of the Tigers' losses this season – the other two against Adelaide in round two and West Coast in round nine – have been on the road.

Kane Lambert had 26 touches for the Tigers, Jayden Short finished with 25 and Jack Riewoldt kicked three goals.

But it was five unanswered goals from the Power in 10 frantic minutes in the second quarter that turned the game on its head.

"It was the difference of the game," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

"We won the other three quarters, but lost that one by 30 points.

"We were always chasing our backside, trying to get back on top.

"I thought we competed pretty hard in the second half, but just couldn't get the job done."

A seven-point deficit at quarter-time became a handy 23-point buffer for the home side at the main break – 9.5 (59) to 5.6 (36).

The Power won contested possessions by 24 (60-36), Inside 50s by 12 (21-9) and disposals by 41 (115-74).

Wines had 13 touches in the term, after just two in the first quarter, and outside runner Jared Polec had 11.

SHOWREEL Wingard and Wines show promising signs

Westhoff was close to best on ground in the first half with 16 disposals and three goals.

Neither side could make a huge impact on the scoreboard in the third term, but Tigers forward Jason Castagna – in his first game back after missing two weeks with a knee injury – ran into an open goal late in the term to keep the visitors in the hunt.

Castagna was prominent again with a sensational contested mark, before calmly kicking his second goal to narrow the gap to nine points at the nine-minute mark of the last quarter.

It was the only goal of the term as the Power hung on.

MEDICAL ROOM
Port Adelaide: The Power reported a clean bill of health.

Richmond: Defender David Astbury was helped from the ground in the second quarter with a suspected left ankle injury. Astbury had his ankle strapped and returned to the game 10 minutes into the third term. "It was a great effort to come on and play. We sort of did consider packing him up at one stage, then we started to get back into the game. We thought if we can just give him a go. He's a tough kid. What it means for next week … he finished the game, that's always a positive sign, but we'll have further details on Monday or Tuesday about that," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

NEXT UP
The Power have a six-day turnaround before they host the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, 7.20pm (ACST) in the return of Thursday night football. The Tigers take on Geelong in a Sunday afternoon blockbuster at the MCG, 3.20pm (AEST).

PORT ADELAIDE  2.2   9.5  10.7  10.12 (72)
RICHMOND          3.3   5.6   7.8   8.10 (58)

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Westhoff 3, S.Gray 2, R.Gray 2, Dixon, Polec, Motlop
Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Edwards 2, Castagna 2, Miles 

BEST 
Port Adelaide: Wines, Wingard, Powell-Pepper, Westhoff, Polec, Byrne-Jones
Richmond:  Grigg, Short, Lambert, Edwards, Cotchin, Riewoldt, Rance                                                                          

INJURIES 
Port Adelaide: TBC
Richmond: Astbury (ankle) 

Reports: TBC 

Umpires: Chamberlain, Harris, Ryan

Official crowd: 39,936 at the Adelaide Oval