ANY HOPE the final match of the home and away season was going to be one for the ages was taken away by those party poopers, the Western Bulldogs, some 600km away in Ballarat, an hour before the first bounce at Adelaide Oval.
The Bulldogs' comprehensive win over Adelaide ensured Port Adelaide's faints finals flame was extinguished as Power supporters were considering making the trek to see their side face Fremantle.
POWER FINISH ON A HIGH Full match coverage and stats
Those dedicated 27,504 people who filed through the turnstiles witnessed a game that didn't reach any great heights, but sent the Port faithful home happy heading into 2020.
The Power overcame a slow start to run over the rudderless Dockers by 43 points, 15.20 (110) to 10.7 (67), in the first game since the Western Australian club axed coach Ross Lyon.
His midweek departure appeared to have a sugar hit early as the Dockers, with caretaker coach David Hale at the helm, took a nine-point lead at quarter-time.
But after five goals in the first term, the Dockers only kicked five more for the remainder of the match as the wheels well and truly fell of their disastrous season.
The Dockers finish the season 13th on the ladder with a 9-13 record ahead of a busy next few months.
Ed Langdon was the Dockers' best in what could be the 23-year-old midfielder's 67th and final game for the club, having been linked to a move home to Victoria during the NAB AFL Trade Period.
Bradley Hill was also busy as speculation grows he will also head east for greener pastures.
The Power's 11th win of the season, ensuring they finish 10th, one game outside the top eight, will lower the pressure, albeit slightly, on the future of coach Ken Hinkley.
Last weekend's embarrassing 86-point loss to North Melbourne cost the Power a finals berth and left them on the outside looking in for the fourth time in the past five years.
The quality of the game could be described as scrappy at best, and ugly at worst, as players from both sides missed simple kicks and shots at goal.
Power co-captain Ollie Wines had one of his better games of an injury-riddled season, key forward Charlie Dixon kicked three goals while ruckman Scott Lycett, in his return to the senior side, took advantage of going up against novice Scott Jones and debutant Hugh Dixon.
Lycett didn't finish the game after copping a knock to his knee, but it's not considered serious.
The Power kicked four straight goals in the second quarter before three more at the start of the third term to blow the margin out.
Bailey Banfield's goal at the 26-minute mark of the third quarter was their first since the 25-minute mark of the first term.
The Dockers were lucky to be within 41 points at the last change after the Power kicked a wayward 4.8 for the quarter.
The Power continued their onslaught in the last term, but in the end, it will be little solace for another wasted season.
MEDICAL ROOM
Port Adelaide: Ruckman Scott Lycett came off the ground late in the game after copping a knock to his knee, but it's not considered serious.
Fremantle: The Dockers reported a clean bill of health.
PORT ADELAIDE 3.4 7.9 11.17 15.20 (110)
FREMANTLE 5.1 5.6 6.6 10.7 (67)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Dixon 3, Marshall 2, Rozee 2, Duursma 2, Bonner, Westhoff, Houston, Rockliff, Westhoff, Boak
Fremantle: Walters 3, Langdon 2, Mundy, Switkowski, Banfield, Fyfe, Dixon
BEST
Port Adelaide: Wines, Lycett, Westhoff, Duursma, Byrne-Jones, Houston
Fremantle: Langdon, Conca, Fyfe, Duman
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Lycett (knee)
Fremantle: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Stephens, Hay
Official crowd: 27,504 at Adelaide Oval
