A DEVASTATING final-quarter surge has propelled Port Adelaide to victory over cross-town rival Adelaide in Saturday afternoon's Showdown at AAMI Stadium.
The Power trailed by seven points at three-quarter time, but kicked five unanswered goals in the opening 10 minutes of the last term to run out comfortable 23-point winners, 14.13 (97) to 10.14 (74).
Showdown medallist Robbie Gray was the chief destroyer for Port Adelaide, kicking 5.4 to secure the hard-fought victory and keep the Crows winless in 2010.
Gray threatened to break the game open with moments of brilliance in the first three quarters and finally delivered in the last with two match-winning goals.
Midfielders Kane Cornes (29 possessions) and Danyle Pearce (21 possessions and a goal) were also instrumental for the Power, while Tyson Edwards (24 possessions and nine tackles), Jason Porplyzia (3.3) and Graham Johncock (22 possessions) battled hard for the Crows.
Adelaide kicked its highest first-half score of the season to lead by nine points, but again failed to maintain its intensity for four quarters.
The Crows also laid more tackles than the Power in the first half, but fell away after.
Both sides made costly skill errors in an uninspiring third quarter, but the Power recovered to kick six goals to Adelaide's one in the last quarter.
The win should be enough to see Port Adelaide slide back into the eight, while the Crows will be hoping to open their account with a win over cellar-dweller Richmond at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
Adelaide 4.2 7.7 9.10 10.14 (74)
Port Adelaide 4.1 6.4 8.9 14.13 (97)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Gray 5, Ebert 2, Cassisi 2, Schulz, Pearce, Westhoff, Tredrea, C. Cornes
Adelaide: Porplyzia 3, Tippett 3, Douglas 2, McLeod, Stevens
BEST
Port Adelaide: Gray, Pearce, K. Cornes, Cassisi, Boak, C. Cornes
Adelaide: Johncock, Edwards, Porplyzia, McLeod, Reilly
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stewart, Schmitt, Ryan
Official crowd: 40,371 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
