PORT Adelaide has scored an upset six-point victory over West Coast in Alice Springs on Saturday night

The Power impressed against one of the premiership favourites, leading by as much as 34 points before holding on for the 1.13.5 (92) to 1.11.11 (86) win.

Captain Travis Boak marked his return to the side with 24 possessions and Hamish Hartlett maintained his impressive lead-up to season 2013 with 16 touches; his confidence in his body after several injury-plagued seasons obvious.

Despite losing Chris Masten to a tight quad in the warm-up, West Coast set about demolishing the Power early and Josh Kennedy (five goals) was too much for Alipate Carlile to handle, kicking three in the first term.

Howeve Port's pressure efforts increased and last year's easy beats took it right up to the early premiership fancies.

Beau Waters and Will Schofield were busy in defence for the Eagles, while Port Adelaide's 18-year-old star-in-the-making Oliver Wines' hardness around the ball amazed.

After racking up almost half of the Power's clearances last weekend against Melbourne, Wines had another five by half-time to go with his nine contested possessions.

The Power were simply more intense around the ball as half-time approached, leading clearances and smashing the Eagles with their tackling pressure.

Scott Selwood and Andrew Gaff mistook each other for opposition players when they crashed heads and when Chad Wingard was rewarded for lively work with a third goal, the Power threatened to skip away.

The tempo lifted in the third term when the Power's Cameron O'Shea bombed home the game's first super goal but after the lead blew out to 34 points the Eagles launched their attack.

Shannon Hurn booted his side's first nine pointer and two goals from Josh Hill in as many minutes reduced the margin to just four points.

Dean Cox was giving West Coast's midfielders first use of the ball, Jack Darling was imposing around the ground as the Eagles started the final quarter with all the momentum.

It was a see-sawing last quarter with both sides going goal for goal, but Port held its nerve as the match heated up and was able to hold onto a surprise win.