The Bombers trailed by just 22 points at three-quarter-time, but failed to capitalise in front of goal and the home side pulled away in the dying stages.
Daniel Motlop picked up where he left off last season with four crucial goals and was well supported by Justin Westhoff (three goals) and Brett Ebert (two goals).
For the Bombers, Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas managed just one goal between them with Brett Stanton (two goals) being Essendon’s only multiple goalkicker.
Danyle Pearce was impressive for the Power with 31 possessions and Jobe Watson, who also finished with 31 touches, was best for the visitors.
Port Adelaide delivered on its promise of a fast start with three goals in the opening eight minutes.
Pearce used one of his 11 first-quarter possessions to nail his side’s first major as the Power ran rings around Essendon.
The Bombers made a late change with budding ruckman Tom Bellchambers left out of the side, but their oversized forward line was still exposed.
Defenders Nathan Krakouer and Steve Salopek were influential and Alipate Carlile showed little respect for his opponent, Bomber legend Lloyd, as he ran from full back to score his first-ever AFL goal.
Former Crows Hayden Skipworth slotted seamlessly back into life at AFL level with nine touches in the opening term. But neither Skipworth nor a late goal to Adam McPhee could prevent the 20-point quarter time deficit.
Veteran Peter Burgoyne extended the lead to 26-points when he converted from a free kick inside 50m. And Watson and Courtenay Dempsey felt more pain as Dean Brogan and Warren Tredrea flexed their muscles with two solid bumps.
Port Adelaide had opportunities to put the result beyond doubt, but managed just 4.4 for the quarter.
Brett Stanton ignited Essendon with a classy running goal and Jay Neagle’s first gave the visitors a genuine sniff.
Both sides committed skills errors as the intensity went to another level in the 30-degree heat.
A goal to Angus Monfries helped the Bombers draw even closer, but two majors to Westhoff and a second to Ebert on the half-time-siren saw the margin blow back out to 28 points.
Essendon streaked out of the blocks after the main break, slamming on three of the opening four goals.
Alwyn Davey and Bachar Houli got involved in the centre-square and Stanton maintained an offensive presence with his second goal.
Debutant Michael Hurley, who kept Tredrea goalless, stood tall in the inexperienced defence, as did Heath Hocking and Henry Slattery.
At the other end of the ground, Michael Pettigrew gave Andrew Lovett a mouthful after collaring the Bomber livewire in an illegal high tackle.
Lovett let his resulting shot on goal do all the talking and helped cut the deficit to 16 points.
Essendon continued to surge with a major to Skipworth, but the Power had all the answers with goals to Motlop, Robbie Gray and returning premiership star Josh Carr.
The Bombers went into the final change 22 points in arrears, but kicking with the breeze.
Davey did his best to manufacture a goal halfway through the last quarter, but his mid-air soccer was awarded only a point after none of the umpires had a clear view.
Essendon fought on gallantly, but a two-minute lapse and goals to Motlop and Westhoff, ensured a hard-earned round one victory for the Power.
Port Adelaide 4.3 8.7 11.12 15.17 (107)
Essendon 1.1 4.3 8.8 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Motlop 4, Westhoff 3, Ebert 2, Pearce, Carlile, P Burgoyne, Carr, Gray, Boak
Essendon: Stanton 2, McPhee, Neagle, Dempsey, Monfries, Skipworth, Lovett, Lucas
BEST
Port Adelaide: Pearce, K Cornes, Salopek, Motlop, Carlile, P Burgoyne, Cassisi
Essendon: Watson, Stanton, Fletcher, Skipworth, Hurley, Davey
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: B Ebert (shoulder)
Essendon: T Bellchambers (tactical) replaced in selected side by T Pears.
Reports:
Port Adelaide: D Brogan reported by field umpire D Margetts for engaging in rough conduct on A Lovett (Essendon) at quartertime.
Essendon: Nil.
Umpires: Margetts, Ryan and Jeffery
Official crowd: 28, 315 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
