A DESPERATE Port Adelaide has survived a stirring Collingwood fightback to keep its top-four hopes alive.

The Magpies booted four straight goals in the third term to narrow the deficit to eight points, before the Power responded on their way to a 14.14 (98) to 10.11 (71) victory at Adelaide Oval on Sunday night.

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The 27-point win leaves the Power (12-8) sixth on the ladder, trailing Sydney on percentage and within one game of fourth-placed Richmond.

"It's the win we needed to have, no doubt about that, in a competition that is getting very tight," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

"That puts us on 12 wins for the year and gives us a good opportunity in the coming few weeks."

The only concern for the Power will be Ollie Wines' late bump on Tom Langdon that could be looked at by the Match Review Panel.

Five talking points: Port Adelaide v Collingwood 

For the Magpies (8-1-11), they are now officially out of finals calculations after their first loss in more than a month.

"I thought we were well beaten in the flow of play, especially in the second quarter," Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said.

"Our players showed a lot of ticker to respond in the third quarter, in particular.

"Late goals hurt us, Gray's stoppage goal at the end of the second, Dixon's goal at the end of the third and the couple that were the icing on the cake.

"The margin is there, but the general flow of play, Port Adelaide were able to control for the most part."

Power star Chad Wingard (32 disposals) was outstanding after missing the past two games with an ankle injury to help Port shake off last weekend's record 84-point Showdown smashing, while Ben Reid kicked four goals for the Magpies.

The Power appeared to have the game in their keeping with a handy 34-point lead at the 10-minute mark of the third quarter before the Magpies found another gear.

Swingman Ben Reid booted two quick goals either side of Will Hoskin-Elliott's brilliant snap from the pocket.

And when Steele Sidebottom turned and goaled, the Magpies had kicked four goals on the trot and had all the momentum.

But a couple of key plays from Power spearhead Charlie Dixon, some Robbie Gray magic and a captain's goal from Travis Boak ensured the home side got over the line.

An undermanned Magpies side, playing without suspended ruckman Brodie Grundy and injured midfield trio Scott Pendlebury, Daniel Wells and Levi Greenwood, gave everything they had.

The Power over-used the ball early in the game, with 62 handballs and 48 kicks in the first quarter as they attempted to play on at all costs.

But more alarming was the fact they laid just two tackles compared to Collingwood's 19.

The intensity lifted in the second term, with the Power hunting in packs, forcing turnovers and capitalising on the scoreboard, winning the tackle count 20-19 in the quarter.

The Power kicked five goals to three in the term to lead by 22 points at the main change.

Gray had the yips with his set-shot goal-kicking, but was dangerous in attack.

He produced a brilliant goal from the pocket after a great bit of ruck work from Ryder, reminiscent of their match-winning tandem against St Kilda earlier in the season.

As expected, Ryder was dominant in the absence of Grundy, but Mason Cox competed strongly and took several contested marks.

Dougal Howard was a surprising choice in defence in his first senior game since tearing his ACL last year, but did a solid job on Darcy Moore and drifted forward to boot the last goal of the game.

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

Collingwood: Midfielder/forward Jordan De Goey tweaked his groin and hip flexor, and winger Will Hoskin-Elliott jarred his hip after a solid hit in the first quarter. "Will was unable to run anything above three-quarter pace," Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said. Both players finished the game and played deep in the forward line.

NEXT UP
The Power will attempt to keep pressure on the top four when they take on the Western Bulldogs at Mars Stadium in Ballarat next Saturday. Meanwhile, the Magpies face Geelong at the MCG next Saturday.

PORT ADELAIDE     2.4   7.8   10.11  14.14 (98)
COLLINGWOOD      1.3    4.4    8.8     10.11 (71)

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Boak 2, R.Gray 2, S.Gray 2, Wines, Houston, Ryder, Ah Chee, Neade, Dixon, Impey, Howard
Collingwood: Reid 4, Moore, Elliott, Phillips, Sidebottom, Hoskin-Elliott, Blair

BEST
Port Adelaide: Wingard, R.Gray, Dixon, Ebert, Wines, Westhoff, Neade
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Reid, Adams, Treloar, Crisp, Howe

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Nil
Collingwood: De Goey (groin), Hoskin-Elliott (hip)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Fisher, Rosebury, Deboy

Official crowd: 37,533