The rivalry between Port Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions dates right back to the early 2000s, and peaked in that era in the 2004 Grand Final. The image of Alastair Lynch and Darryl Wakelin exchanging wild haymakers won't be easily forgotten. The Power broke a four-game losing streak against the Lions on Sunday but the tight margins continued. Four of the last five games have all been decided by less than three goals.
2. Safe…for now
Regardless of how they scored the win, the important thing for Power coach Ken Hinkley is that it elevated the club back into the top eight. Carlton had temporarily occupied eighth spot with a superior percentage, but with an extra four points the Power remain the hunted for another week. The race and fight for eighth spot could well come down to the final game of the season too – the Power host the Blues in round 23.
3. Inaccurate in Adelaide
The Crows were made to pay for their inaccuracy in front of goal against Fremantle on Saturday night, and on Sunday the Power did their best to follow suit. It was a breezy day at AAMI Stadium but the home side's skills were well below par. Combined, South Australia's AFL clubs kicked 16 goals 28 behinds in round 18, and with a Showdown on the line next weekend you'd expect goal kicking to be a serious focus in the lead up.
4. Schulz inspires
Time after time Jay Schulz inspires his Port Adelaide teammates with displays of courage and it was no different against the Lions. In the opening term Schulz threw himself face first into a 50/50 contest. He copped a knock to the head and was left a little wobbly, but his effort resulted in Kane Mitchell having a shot at goal. Schulz went on to collect 21 disposals, take nine marks and kick two goals himself.
5. Arm-wrestling to the end
It wasn't pretty, but both sides were throwing everything they had into the contest in the last quarter. The opening three quarters were scrappy to say the least, but the arm wrestle was taken to new heights in the last with it taking almost 16 minutes for a side to score. Even that goal was one to forget. Chad Wingard miskicked his shot from 50m before somehow finding himself on the end of a goal square scrap to soccer it through.
