A DANIEL Bradshaw-inspired Brisbane climbed off the canvas and sent Port Adelaide's season to never-before-seen depths with a stunning 20-point victory at AAMI Stadium tonight.
Trailing by 47 points deep in the third term and combatting a torrential second-half downpour, the Lions rammed through 11 of the game's final 12 goals, including nine to one in the last quarter, to win 18.16 (124) to 16.8 (104) in front of 25,205 dumbstruck Power supporters.
Port's defeat gives them a 0-4 start for the first time in their AFL history and the disheartening manner of the loss must cast a huge pall over their chances of even reaching the finals in 2008.
The Lions' revival was fuelled by the tireless midfield work of Simon Black and Luke Power but could not have been realised without a superb forward's game by Bradshaw (five goals).
His attacking compatriot Jonathan Brown started slowly on Alipate Carlile but was monstering his younger opponent by the finish, while Anthony Corrie (two goals) and Travis Johnstone also did well.
Chad Cornes and David Rodan were the best of a Port team that offered scarcely a yelp in the last term.
The Lions had lost experienced ruckman Jamie Charman prior to the bounce with a calf complaint and in his absence it was the Power centreline making merry as they sought a first win of the year.
Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan initiated numerous damaging clearances for the home side, with Rodan or one of the Cornes brothers generally on hand to run free with possession.
Port fired through the first four goals of the game and a fortunate late major to Chad Cornes – the ball ricocheted through off the goal umpire when it seemed destined to strike the post – gave the Power a 25-point quarter-time lead and seemed to indicate it would be their night.
In the second quarter Port was inconsistent, but a trio of missed shots by Brown and Bradshaw scotched whatever momentum the Lions were developing and Port went into the main break well clear.
The rain swamped the stadium late in the third term and hung around long enough to make the Power's lead appear even more definitive.
Coach Mark Williams made for an animated sight at the last change huddle and his apparent unease proved to be well-founded.
Relying heavily on prime movers Black, Power and experienced recruit Johnstone, the Lions swarmed all over Port in the last.
Johnstone and Cheynee Stiller managed particularly eye-catching majors and by midway through the term the Power’s lead had evaporated.
Brisbane's newfound status as the more likely winners stung Port into their only goal of the term through Shaun Burgoyne, but Brown and Bradshaw both added to their tally to make the result safe.
Port's rooms were closed to outsiders for half an hour after the final siren before coach Mark Williams emerged to say it was the worst loss he had experienced in his time with the Port Adelaide football club.
"That's probably the worst loss I've ever been associated with at the club, I can't remember someone outscoring you by 53 points in the last quarter of a game, especially given the fact we'd played terrific football for three quarters," he said.
"I feel completely devastated for our supporters; they come here with a lot of hope in their hearts and to finish up like that was just a disaster for everyone."
Lions coach Leigh Matthews still appeared somewhat stunned by the fact his side had won.
“It's the best we've had, I can't remember any others, tonight was good," he said when asked about other comeback wins.
"When we got back within two or three goals early in the last quarter I looked at the time clock saying there's 12 minutes to go and I think we were only a goal or two down – we got in front half way through the last quarter."
BRISBANE 2.2 4.6 9.10 18.16 (124)
PORT ADELAIDE 6.3 10.5 15.7 16.8 (104)
Goals: Brisbane: D Bradshaw 5 J Brown 4 A Corrie R Hooper T Johnstone J Adcock T Notting S Black W Mills C Stiller M Rischitelli. Port Adelaide: W Tredrea 2 D Rodan 2 C Cornes 2 J Surjan 2 S Burgoyne B Ebert S Salopek D Pearce K Cornes D Brogan D Cassisi J Westhoff.
Best: Brisbane: D Bradshaw J Brown T Johnstone S Black A Corrie J McDonald L Power. Port Adelaide: D Rodan C Cornes B Lade S Salopek J Surjan.
Umpires: D Margetts H Ryan S Ryan.
Official crowd: 25,205 at AAMI Stadium.
